My mom—the one I love most in the world.
She raised me, my older brother, and my younger brother with overflowing love.
I often wonder what she was like when she was a student like me—
what her dreams were, and what she hopes for now.
I want to know it all!
Please introduce yourself.
Hello, I’m Lee Gyeong-ae. I’m a mother of two sons and a daughter.
How many siblings do you have?
There are three of us in total—one brother and two sisters, including me. I’m the middle child, with an older sister and a younger brother. I’ve always loved having both an older and a younger sibling. Whenever someone picked on me, my sister would stand up for me, which made me feel safe and secure. And running around with my younger brother was always so much fun.
I’m also a middle child with an older and a younger brother. Did you get along with your siblings without fighting?
Siblings grow up fighting, don’t they? (laughs) But we were very close. Most of our “fights” started because we were joking around and trying to make each other laugh.
Do you have any memorable childhood stories?
One day, my mom bought me a beautiful princess dress. But I ended up tearing it while climbing a tree. It was ripped so badly that I couldn’t even wear it anymore, and of course, I got scolded.
When I was in elementary school, my friends decided to give me a makeover because apparently, I had big eyes. They painted my eyelids bright green and my lips a vivid red. It wasn’t stylish at all—just incredibly tacky. Ha-ha. And I actually went home looking like that! The moment my parents saw me, their eyes widened. But since I was a track athlete at the time, I sprinted away and managed to escape without getting scolded. :)
Haha, so you got scolded a lot too. Do you have any other memories with Grandma?
When I was in eighth grade, I lived on my own for a while. Since I had to feed myself, I begged my mom to teach me how to cook. Everything she made was delicious, so it’s impossible to choose just one favorite. But if I had to, I’d say her pumpkin stew made with makjang—a simple homemade soybean paste—was the best.
I’m in middle school now. Did you really start living on your own at that age?
Yes, I did. Our home was deep in the countryside of Chuncheon in Gangwon Province—there wasn’t even a single supermarket nearby. When my older sister had to move into the city to attend high school, my parents felt it would be unsafe for her to live alone, so they sent me to stay with her.
From then on, cooking became my responsibility. The dish I remember most is ketchup tteokbokki. I couldn’t handle spicy food very well back then, so that sweet version tasted amazing to me. I still think about it sometimes.
(How would you feel if I cooked today?)
I’d say, “Thank you very much!”
What do you remember about your middle school years?
I think I felt quite lonely. Living away from my parents wasn’t easy. My sister was busy spending time with her friends, and I often found myself alone at home.
Is there anything you’d like to say to your middle school self?
I’d gently pat her on the back and say, “You worked hard. Good job.”
What did you dream of becoming as a child?
I wanted to become a police officer. The uniform looked so cool, and since I loved sports, I thought, “That’s perfect for me!” I studied hard—even the subjects I wasn’t good at—because I really wanted to achieve that dream. But after injured my back, I had to give up. I still feel a little sad about it. Now that my youngest son says he wants to become a police officer, I truly hope he achieve his dream. Jang-u, you can do it!
What dreams do you have now?
As a mother of three, nothing would make me happier than seeing all my children grow up with upright character and steadfast faith in God. I simply hope we can live together, smiling and free from worry.
What was it like when I was first born?
You were born prematurely, at seven months, before reaching full term. The doctors told us there was a high possibility of complications, so my heart felt incredibly heavy. On top of that, I couldn’t even see your face right after you were born because you were taken straight into an incubator.
I saw you the next day. You weighed only 1.8 kilograms and were so tiny. But despite all our worries, you were breathing well on your own and wriggling around energetically inside the incubator. Everyone said you looked strong and that you would grow up healthy. And just as they said, you’ve grown strong and well to this day. That makes me more grateful than I can express.
Do I resemble you in any way?
When I was young, I was very shy. I didn’t talk much, cried easily, and wasn’t interested in dressing up at all. You’ve taken after me in all those ways. I do wish you enjoyed dressing up a bit more . . . but seeing how you find it bothersome just like I did at your age, makes me feel a little sad.
Lastly, is there anything you’d like to say to me?
Chae-won, I love you. Thank you for being born as my daughter.
Interviewing my mom helped me see that she once had an innocent and carefree side, which I found truly endearing. I was also deeply touched by the love she has for me.
I hope she stays healthy and strong. We’ve had our share of small arguments, but from now on, I want us to get along better and live in harmony. She’s someone I simply can’t imagine my life without—an irreplaceable and precious part of it.