A K-mom's daily life unfolds in New Jersey: The light and dark side of the passion for education that comes with a 410,000 won taxi fare > News

The incident began when my son Luchee, a third-year high school student, left for Long Island to meet a friend, but was stranded due to an unexpected railroad strike. As there was no way for the child to return from the long distance, which took two and a half hours one way, Taeyoung Son ended up having to use an Uber taxi and had to pay $270, or about 410,000 won in Korean currency, for the ride. She couldn't hide her embarrassment at the huge amount of transportation costs that would have been hard to imagine under normal circumstances, but she soon calmed herself down by saying, 'Let's say we stayed at a hotel for one night.' This is a passage that clearly reveals the parents' instinct to prioritize their children's safe return home and the unique dedicated attitude of 'K-Mom' to accept even unexpected expenses as an extension of education.

What is worth noting in this episode is that Son Tae-young does not simply show off his financial means, but the essence of 'support' in which he willingly sacrifices his daily life for his children. She unfilteredly showed her struggles as a mother of a high school senior son about to enter college, as she did not hesitate to drive more than three hours round trip to get her son to and from school. This proves that Korean-style passion and sincerity for education are still effective even in the American environment. Although their place of residence may have changed, the way they divide their time and devote their emotional energy to help their children succeed in their studies reflects a universal maternal love that is no different from that of other Korean parents.

Meanwhile, through this vlog, Son Tae-young and Kwon Sang-woo's method of educating their children and their family's current status are once again receiving public attention. Not only her son Luchee, but her daughter, who has already graduated from elementary school and has grown up, also attracted attention with her model-like visuals, resembling her 'Miss Korea mother'. The public sees the human side of the star couple through the small daily lives these families experience in the United States, and forms a consensus on the realistic parenting concerns hidden behind the flashy spotlight. In particular, the economic background of the building owner is mentioned, but what the public really responds to is not the wealth they have, but their attitude toward how that wealth is utilized and coordinated for the growth of their children.

The media consumes the daily lives of these stars and reinterprets their passion for education by labeling them as ‘Daechi-dong moms.’ This is also a sociological indicator that shows how Korean society's obsession with and dedication to education is maintained beyond geographical boundaries. The taxi fare of 410,000 won should not be interpreted as simple consumption, but as optional expenditure by parents to ensure the safety and convenience of their children. In the end, Taeyoung Son's case serves as a mirror that shows how Korean parents raise their children abroad in the global era and what values ​​they live by in the process.