About Us
Our Story
What is The Hagwon, you ask?
The Hagwon is an educational platform that combines reliable resources for standardized test preparation with expertise in teaching, guidance, and counseling. The Hagwon supports every type of student to achieve their academic goals through our three values: Ambition, Connection, and Commitment.
We recognize that you, as a student, have unique post-secondary ambitions in your academic journey. However, those ambitions cannot be reached by simply burning through mountains of practice tests. That is where the connection between you and expert instructors comes into play. Our dedicated instructors empower you to pursue your goals with personable counseling and support. Regardless of where you are from or how far behind you may think you are, we take pride in our commitment to you, sharing our know-how and advice to hone your skills and boost your confidence. Through this interaction, we help you become a self-sufficient learner who proactively works towards your goals.
Your academic journey is now beginning. You know where you want to go, but you may not know how to get there. Don’t worry, The Hagwon will be with you every step of the way.
Bethesda
Our mission is to empower students worldwide with the necessary resources and guidance to thrive academically.
Bethesda E&C, Inc. is dedicated to creating an accessible, affordable, and reliable global learning environment through teaching and creating dynamic educational content. With a focus on efficient personalized learning, meticulous preparation, and proactive support, we are committed to shaping the future of education and helping students achieve their highest aspirations.
Bethesda E&C, Inc. was founded in 2019 by Ted Kim, who has been actively heading esteemed student academy RTS Education since 2005. By leveraging the latest educational technology and over 20 years of real teaching and counseling experience, Ted and team launched The Hagwon in 2024 and as always are committed to creating a unique and impactful learning experience for students.
RTS Education (www.rtsedu.com), established in 2005 by Ted Kim, has been a prominent educational hub for the foreign and expat community in Korea. With a primary focus on test preparation for high school students aiming for college admissions, RTS Education has successfully guided numerous students to excel in standardized tests such as the SAT, ACT, and SSAT.
Bethesda E&C, Inc. - Empowering Students for a Brilliant Future.
Meet our Team from Seoul, Korea
For the past 20 years, our team has been closely instructing, guiding, and counseling students for the SAT and ACT.
TheHagwon.com is essentially a digital extension of our 'hagwon' spirit.
Ted Y. Kim
Founder & CEO
Originally from Bethesda, Maryland, Ted has been dedicated to teaching the SAT at his rigorous Hagwon in Seoul since 2005. Ted founded Bethesda E&C and theHagwon.com in 2021 to prove once and for all that students do not need overpriced test prep courses to ace the SAT. Ted holds a B.S. from New York University.
Kyu Choi
CTO
Kyu is an expert software engineer and science teacher at heart. Drawing on 10 years of experience teaching chemistry, Kyu built theHagwon.com from the ground up so that students worldwide can have universal access to a smarter SAT prep experience. Kyu holds a B.S. from Rutgers University.
Juan Deczuta
Product Designer
Juan is a global product designer with over a decade of experience passionated about education technology. After working in London with well-known EdTech platforms and later teaching design at a college in Vancouver, he recently joined The Hagwon to help revamp its user experience.
Calvin Ko
SAT Reading & Writting Expert
Calvin is an all-star instructor and counselor with 15 years of teaching experience. He is a jack of all trades expert on the ACT, SAT, AP World and US History and college admissions. Calvin dedicates himself to helping students find their colleges of best fit. Calvin holds a B.A. from Trinity College and a Masters Degree from Korea University.
