Two parts - one many people on this sub pile of at everyone. So take everything with a grain of salt.

Two: in the US TKD has been the most profitable martial art for since the 90’s. I’d have to check but I think it’s definitely loosing ground quick to hybrid schools, BJJ and MMA.

When it was brought here a lot of the original owners instructors were more concerned with making money than quality. Combine that with multiple organization splits (WT, ITF, ATA) and rapid growth/changes internationally; and There are many schools which are great for kids and introducing them to martial arts… but that’s about it.

Another issue is that often TKD schools try to do too much. Poomse (kata), Sparring, Weapons, Self-Defense, Breaking, trick kicking, etc- but still only have student train twice a week for 45 min. Leads to a watering down of overall curriculum.

Saddest part, the worst schools are often the Korean led schools. These are the guys that are the most talented, but they gate keep upper ranks (by essentially not reaching what’s required), then just use their schools as a cash register.

Lastly I’ve found most TKD schools have almost zero development opportunities for higher ranking black belts (see above). So when you are a black belt there’s little learning, you get your rank by checking boxes and time.

Oh, and I’m a TKD 1st Dan, from a Korean led school who founded a major franchise on the West Coast. Respect the man as a martial artist and instructor, not his business practices. Earned my Black Belt 18 years ago, went back to get my second and saw too much cost for too little learning. Love TKD still, and have found better schools (they do exist) but my main focus is now Hapkido & Krav Maga.