Mv Sewol Ferry Disaster Memorials Part 2

Jiyoon Park (Class 3)

Jiyoon Park was born on the 8th of April, 1997. She was 17 when she died.

Jiyoon was mostly raised by her grandmother, because her parents were at work all day. She grew close with her, and they became inseperatable. Since childhood, Jiyoon had loved drawing, especially on a computer. She had a talent in drawing small details into the pictures. Jiyoon absolutely loved the singer Sihwan Park, and aspired to meet him, or at least have his autograph. Jiyoon's ultimate dream was to become a cartoonist.

Jiyoon's grandmother was considering not letting Jiyoon go to the trip, but she changed her mind and let her go. During the sinking, Jiyoon called her.
''Grandma! Grandma! The boat is leaning to it's side. It's pretty dark in here but I'm holding to a railing. Grandma, I think I might die!'' Jiyoon tries to explain. Her grandmother hears the fear and desperation in her voice. The call was cut short. At 10:05, Jiyoon sent her last text. It was the letter d. It was the last thing she left to this world, but her grandma knew Jiyoon wanted to leave much more, but was not sure what.

Her body was recovered and returned to her family. She now rests at Pyeongtaek Lakeside Memorial Park. If you visit her grave, there is a note laying next to her grave. It was Sihwan Park's autograph. He heard Jiyoon's story, and tried to support her family to cope with her death.

Jiyoon with her grandmother