Gwang He Hong

Her Story

Childhood Memory

During her middle and high school years, she has vivid memories of her church's Christmas traditions. Every Christmas, they engaged in the heartfelt act of creating Christmas cards, which they later sold to generate funds. These proceeds were then used to assist those in need, demonstrating the spirit of giving. She often spent time with her church friends, engaging in various activities, including games and singing performances. An endearing practice was the division of participants into boys and girls, harmonizing with each other. She reminisces about listening to songs on the radio, especially Lee Moon Sae's "Byul Ee Bitnanun Bam," which brought a sense of fun, coolness, and enjoyment.

Dreams

Her childhood dream was to become a pilot. She and her friends shared this aspiration, and the idea of traveling the world and soaring through the skies was thrilling. She also dreamt of using her earnings to provide people with special gifts that could brighten their day and bring smiles to their faces.

Shifting Perspectives on Happiness

Her happiest moments as a child revolved around dinner times with her parents, where they would engage in heartfelt conversations and share stories. Growing up in a family with five daughters and one son, New Year's Day held a special tradition. Her father would gather money, and they would play yootnori, with the winner taking all the money. She was highly competitive and often emerged victorious. If she happened to lose, she would cry and make a fuss, demonstrating her determination and spirited nature. Now, her perspective on happiness has evolved. She has come to realize that worldly possessions do not define true happiness. For her, happiness means having faith in God and eagerly anticipating His promised land. She prays that everyone can find faith in God and lead honest and virtuous lives.

Immigration Journey

Around 40 years ago, she made the life-altering decision to immigrate to America, driven by the desire to provide her children with better educational opportunities. Her primary goal was to ensure that her children had access to a more extensive and enriched education. In addition to her immediate family, her siblings also embarked on immigration journeys to America within one to three years, each motivated by their unique personal reasons.