POP PILATES™

POP PILATES™ is Korea’s first classical Pilates studio
and the world’s only Pilates guide agency.

POP PILATES™ Agency

POP PILATES™ AG matches guides’ temperament
and expertise to the right opportunities,
maintaining a balance between client satisfaction
and guide rights, and introduces Pilates
through expanded possibilities and collaboration.

POP PILATES™ AG guides are specialists in the field,
trained in the original method through an apprenticeship system
and officially certified as second- and third-generation guides.

POP PILATES™ Studio

POP PILATES™ Studio is a classical Pilates studio
composed solely of specialists
who carry on the values of Joseph Pilates.

POP PILATES™ Studio offers classes
through the original classical Pilates system.
What POP PILATES™ Studio takes pride in is
the expertise of its guides.

POP PILATES™ Studio’s guides are professionals who
continuously pursue their learning,
based on verified qualifications and experience,
and consist of top experts with 8 to 20 years of experience.

POP PILATES™ Studio has clinically recorded and analyzed
approximately 90,000 sessions over the past 13 years,
to ensure that the original Pilates system can deeply
and effectively integrate into each client’s body,
delivering its full excellence and completion as intended.
POP PILATES™ Studio is a classical Pilates specialist studio
that pursues “Return to Pilates for Return to Life.”
Each class is conducted using an appropriate Pilates system
according to the client’s condition and physical function,
producing dramatic results.

POP PILATES™ Studio was the first in Korea to begin classes
with the complete original system of classical Pilates,
including all necessary apparatus and accessories.
The original structure and system will provide
optimal conditions for your Pilates classes.

“Above all, what matters most in Pilates is
the respect and attentiveness
required when working with the human body.
The seasoned dedication and passion
of our professional guides
will be reflected in every program.”

Director Jihye Kim

Jihye’s movement journey started with rhythmic gymnastics in childhood, followed by various fitness modalities to enhance her physical conditioning. She excelled in her academic pursuits, graduating at the top of her class with both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Dance Kinesiology. Her career flourished as she won top awards at international dance festivals as a professional dancer and choreographer.
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In 2004, she began her career as a Pilates instructor after obtaining her first Pilates certification. This was a natural extension of her life in motion. During her time as both an artist and a Pilates instructor, she completed three comprehensive Pilates training programs and PMA. Among other many fitness certifications.

In 2011, feeling disillusioned with her life as an artist, she decided to retire and revisit the various physical disciplines she had engaged in, both as a leader and a participant. This period included training in Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis, among numerous other methods, while her desire for functional movement continued unabated.

In 2015, during this quest, her journey led her to Los Angeles. She met Jay Grimes there. This meeting the luckiest moment of her movement life. She rediscovered her passion and quenched her thirst for movement at Vintage Pilates, where Jay Grimes was the director, Sandy Shimoda was the owner.
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She was the first from Asia to be selected for and graduate from the Master’s program under Jay Grimes, and she continues to embrace a philosophy of lifelong learning. She believes that the experiences with Vintage Pilates have been the most effective and functional in her life of movement, and she was the first to introduce the full Pilates system and original classes to the Korean market.
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She is also the author of the book ‘My Second Passion‘ and wants to share the positive physical and mental transformations through Pilates with others as both a guide and a participant.

Currently, she is director of POP PILATES™ and the Apprentice of Contrology®, part of continuing her passion for sharing her expertise.