Survivor of Sinking of MV Sewol Mr. Kim Dong-soo. He stopped by Jeju Port while driving his truck to the mainland. As always, the cold wind blew strongly on the windy island of Jeju.The scars of self-harm he has left behind bear witness to the pain he has endured over the years.This place is the house where Dongsoo used to live. It is where he struggled with trauma, sometimes inflicting harm on himself, and holds painful memories.A year and seven months after the Sewol ferry disaster in 2015, the first public hearing on the incident was held. The captain, who abandoned the passengers and crew to escape alone, and the implicated government officials sat in the front row. Dongsoo, shouting for the truth to be revealed, inflicted self-harm on himself at that moment. This act of self-harm began that day and continued throughout his life, leaving numerous scars on his body. Mr. Dongsoo was hailed as a "Sewol Hero" for saving about 20 students while delaying his own escape during the sinking of the ship on April 16, 2014. However, he is now suffering from trauma.Dong-soo wants to drive a truck on the mainland. However, there are too many obstacles holding him back. Seeing the ships at Jeju Harbor after a long time, he feels the urge to take the wheel, but he knows it's not the right time and turns away.Dong-soo, along with his wife, takes care of the Saryeoni Forest in Jeju Island. During his breaks, he enjoys watching his favorite videos and dramas in a quiet corner.Dongsoo has set the background of his phone screen to a family photo that he took himself. Spring in Jeju is famous for its canola flowers, and the area is filled with them.Dong-soo is spending time with his daughter in the front yard of his house. The time spent with his second daughter brings laughter to Dong-soo's life. His daughter, having experienced her father's accident, became a firefighter rescuer, saving people's lives.Dongsoo did not escape the sinking ship alone at the time of the accident; instead, he rescued many students and was awarded the Dongbaek Medal of the Order of Civil Merit by then-President Moon Jae-in. In front of him lies a Bible verse from 2 Corinthians 12:9.The tide begins to rise on the sandy shore of Hambok Beach, where Dong-soo's family once lived. Nearby neon signs cast a reddish glow as dusk settles in.
Kim Dong-soo is a survivor of the tragic Sewol M/V sinking, an incident that remains painfully etched in the memories of South Koreans. During the disaster, as the ferry sank, Kim risked his life to save students on a school trip, earning him praise as a hero in the media. However, the acclaim has done little to ease the trauma he continues to endure. The unresolved nature of the disaster's cause and the lack of accountability from those responsible have fueled Kim's anger and led him to multiple attempts at self-harm. Amidst his suffering, Kim's family has been his beacon, tirelessly working to pull him from the darkness of his pain. Their support has been crucial in his ongoing struggle. Kim's two daughters, inspired by their father's actions during the disaster, have chosen careers as emergency medical technicians, a testament to the value of life they learned through their father's ordeal. This year (2024) marks the tenth anniversary of the Sewol ferry tragedy, a somber milestone for Kim and many others affected by that fateful day.
