Hyon-Joo’s Everyday Life

- Moon Geun Young in traditional Korean Costume, handbok

It was freezing cold in Korea on the last lunar new year day - Jan.26, 2009 - not only because the temperature was way below the freezing point, going around -5C to -10C ( 23F to 14F), but because the world has become more harsh to those who already don’t have much. On their biggest holiday, Koreans were shivering, thinking of those who got displaced or had to give up their means of living due to the government re-development plans, and got killed while searching for fair treatment.

But there were a couple heart-warming news during the holiday that would melt the frozen and dangerous roads. People got together at the main stations of the major cities and lit candle light, showing that they wouldn’t forget the tragedy and requesting the government investigate it impartially and legitimately. Those who were about to catch a busy train to their hometown stopped by and gave them warm cheering.

Another heartening news was “Korea’s little sister” Moon Geun-young’s donation to an Australia Korean community. After sending Korean books to a local library in Sidney over the years through her uncle, she donated 100 million won (about 80 thousand dollars) for constructing a newer and bigger library.

The amount may not be that impressive to some people, but what’s important here is not the amount, but her warm heart. Her kindness looks sincere and genuine. She had sent books there first for a long time and donated the chunk of money later when she could “afford” more.

Majority of people, including me, who manage to live month by month, might think, only if I had money, I could help needy people that much, but it might not be that easy as we think. It’s probably not effortless for the haves to think about the have-nots - the more you have, the more you need. Ms. Moon is definitely such an angel that she could be so considerate for others in need when she is a huge star in her twenties and can have everything!

This is not her one and only time of donation. She’s made multiple contribution for the poor, the hungry and even for North Koreans.

Last November in 2008, it came to light that Ms. Moon had donated a big amount of money to South Korea’s Community Chest for the last seven years, totaling six hundred thousand dollars. This really made me question if I could do the same thing if I had much money. It also made me think that I should do my portion of good deeds even when I don’t have a lot.

Generally, I would insist this kind of encouraging news should spread out, especially in this difficult time, giving people hopes and cheers. All we hear is bad news like family committing suicide because of job loss, government gone dogmatic, congress people sawing the closed conference door, or Minerva arrested for having his own opinions. It would be nice that this news got some attention from the press.

But this time, I wouldn’t want Koreans to make a fuss. If possible, it would be delivered secretly through messengers or emails. I’m just afraid that some radical conservatives would accuse
her again of being a communist just like last time only because her grandfather was.

- Moon Geun Young, the Nation’s Little Sister

This entry was posted on Friday, January 30th, 2009 under People's Story (Hearty).