The story of 37-year-old Lee Yoo-jung, the youngest haenyeo with 6 years of experience, is revealed.
Today (2nd) at 9 PM, the MBC entertainment program ‘True Story Exploration Team’ will feature the story of Lee Yoo-jung, the youngest haenyeo from Iho Village in Jeju Island, and the story of Kim Gi-jun, the marathon grandfather from Chilgok, Gyeongbuk.
■ First True Story – She Plays in Different Waters, Haenyeo Lee Yoo-jung
In the waters of Iho Village, Jeju, there are veteran haenyeo with 50 years of experience. Among them is Lee Yoo-jung (37), the youngest haenyeo, who confidently dives into the sea with 6 years of experience. Although the winter sea is colder and rougher, she says the water feels the best. After graduating from university in 2009, she moved to Seoul to achieve her ‘Seoul Dream’, but gradually became exhausted from the relentless city life. Upon returning to her hometown of Jeju for healing, she was captivated by the haenyeo she saw by chance. Lee Yoo-jung began preparing to become a haenyeo step by step. Initially, she couldn’t even swim, but she learned diving techniques and graduated from haenyeo school, nurturing her dream. For two years, she dedicated herself solely to preparing to become a haenyeo. Finally, with the consent of all her senior haenyeo, she officially became a haenyeo in 2019. In a reality where the number of haenyeo decreases by about 200 each year, the arrival of rookie Yoo-jung has brought vitality to the fishing community. She takes good care of her seniors and is receiving much affection for fulfilling her role as the youngest. What charm of being a haenyeo has captivated Yoo-jung so deeply?
▶ The Youngest Haenyeo Who Loves the Sea and Haenyeo, She is Growing Today!
Sea cucumbers, conchs, and abalones! Winter seafood is rich in nutrients at this time of year. Lee Yoo-jung sets out to catch conchs with her seniors in the middle of winter. Haenyeo are divided into upper, middle, and lower ranks based on their skills. The most skilled senior haenyeo, the upper rank, skillfully harvest seafood. Although Yoo-jung, with 6 years of experience, is not as quick as her seniors, her skills are gradually improving. Although she is clumsy in diving, her love for the sea is deeper than anyone else’s. She cleans up sea trash with the hope that her seniors can dive safely, and she has even prepared a surprise gift for them.
■ Second True Story – ‘Volunteer King’ Marathon Grandfather
In Chilgok County, Gyeongsangbuk-do, there is a grandfather who runs along the Nakdong River every morning. Despite the freezing winter weather, 77-year-old Kim Gi-jun comes out in light clothing and easily runs 10 km. Even at the age of approaching 80, he keeps up with people decades younger than him, finding energy and exhilaration rather than difficulty in running with younger people.
The reason Kim Grandfather does not lag behind in running is that he is a veteran marathoner. He has completed over 50 full marathons, including the 2004 Boston Marathon and ultra-marathons requiring 100 km. Regardless of rain or snow, Kim Gi-jun runs along the Nakdong River. What drives him to be so passionate about running? He believes that volunteering is equivalent to physical strength. Under the belief that he must be healthy to help others, he runs and runs again today.
▶ About 100 Children Helped! ‘Volunteer King’ Kim Grandfather’s 40-Year Volunteer Life
Kim Gi-jun appeared on MBC’s ‘Let’s Praise’ in 1999. His secret acts of kindness to help neighbors in need were introduced on the show and continue even 26 years later. He has rushed to help wherever there are children from single-parent families or those in need. Why did he start helping children? In 1984, he discovered a child curled up in a corner of a playground and was moved to help after hearing that the child was growing up without parents. His 40-year volunteer life has seen him support nearly 100 children.
The grandfather says there is one child he particularly wants to meet again. He met the child when they were in the first year of high school, but they lost contact over the years. Will Kim Grandfather be able to meet him again?
On the 2nd at 9 PM, MBC’s ‘True Story Exploration Team’ will introduce ‘Volunteer King’ Kim Gi-jun, who will bring warmth to us all in the new year.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
