Could you please introduce yourself?
My name is Yoon Jong-bok. I was born in Geochang County, South Gyeongsang Province, and I’m the eldest of two sons and one daughter.
Can you tell us about your school days?
I really enjoyed school, probably because I got along well with my friends. I wasn’t very focused on studying and spent more time hanging out and having fun. Still, during middle school, I managed to keep my grades around the middle of the class.
What was your dream back then?
My dream was to become a firefighter. I wanted to help people, put out fires, and protect precious lives. It felt like a meaningful and responsible job. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to become one.
But now you’re the owner of a famous noodle restaurant in Geochang!
That’s right. The restaurant your mom and I run together used to be the house where I lived with my family before getting married. We remodeled it carefully, so it looks very different now and has grown a lot over time. Believe it or not, what’s now the storage room used to be the bathroom. (laughs)
Wow, that place must be full of memories! Is there anything you’d like to say to our family?
My daughters, So-yun and Ju-yun, please always stay healthy and keep growing just as you are. And to my dear wife—it’s already been over ten years since we started running this noodle shop together. By working hard and supporting each other, we’ve been able to settle in and even become a well-known local restaurant. Thank you for always being by my side. Let’s continue to do our best together. To my daughters and my wife—let’s stay happy together as a family of four, forever.
Thank you for sharing so many wonderful stories, Dad. I’m still a daughter who has a lot to learn, but I’ll keep growing step by step. I love you, Dad! 💕
That wraps up my interview with my dad, who is truly “softer than he looks.” It meant so much to hear what was really in his heart. Now that I know him better, I realize just how caring he is. More than anything, I hope the four of us will always be happy together. I love you.