The Sewol tragedy claimed nearly 300 lives 10 years ago, and only 172 people survived.🥺

Tomorrow, April 16th, it will be 10 years since they went on a high school trip to Jeju Island.  Many of them were never able to return home to their parents.

BTS commemorated what happened with the song Spring Day.  Unofficially, since it was not possible to talk about the tragedy for a very long time.

Later, the guilty received their punishment, but even this could not bring back those lost.  🥺

Take this short memoir-style story from me as a memory.  🥺🎗️

In memory of the Sewol tragedy.

The story is based on real events, but is largely fiction.
The story can be emotionally wrenching.

I miss you so much.

I can't even tell you how much.

I remember how excited we were preparing for that trip.  We had no idea that climbing Sewol would change our whole lives.

That morning, nearly 300 students from Ansan High School were waiting at the wharf to go on a study trip to Jeju.

During breaks the day before, we put our heads together and planned what we would do to entertain ourselves or each other in our free time.  We happily prepared for the next day.  You already packed and slept with us in the evening so that mother could take us both out to the ferry in the morning.

We were up for a long time, talking, dreaming, about the present, the future, love.  We had no idea that one of us would not have a future, that her dreams, her chance for happiness, love, and family would disappear.

On April 16, mom woke us up, and we jumped out of bed like rubber balls in our excitement.  We got it done quickly, even if we were clowning around.

We were like sisters, because we had known each other since we were little, we went to kindergarten together, we started school together, and then we entered high school together.

You were my best friend.

When we were both accepted, and in the same class, you could have caught a bird with us.

Boarding began, we tried to stay next to each other to make the boat ride easier.

We talked, played, sang, in short, we had a great time.

Then all of a sudden the ferry took a sharp turn and noticeably tilted to the side.  We were scared about what had happened, but the crew reassured us that there was nothing wrong, everyone should stay calm.

For a while we didn't even notice that we were sinking.

Then the water broke into the ship.

Complete despair overwhelmed my heart.  Holding each other's hands, we waited to see what would happen to us now.

We were given life jackets, which we hurriedly put on.

Many people left messages for their families, I wanted to too, but I left my phone somewhere in the shuffle.

Finally we managed to open one of the doors, but by then the ship had capsized so much that it was almost over our heads.  In the meantime, the teachers encouraged us to float on the water, and that's how we'll get to the door.  That's when you drifted away from me.  I desperately looked for you, but someone pulled me towards the door, and then two of them lifted me from above.

It was total chaos outside.  We didn't understand what they were waiting for, why the coast guard wouldn't help, why nobody would come for us.

We finally managed to get ashore somehow.  Many of us were helped by local fishermens.

172 of us made it out alive.

Unfortunately, you were not among us.

I cried and watched to see if you would show up in one of the boats, but fewer and fewer people came, until finally no one came.

I don't remember coming home anymore, the pain was so strong in my soul that it took hold of my mind, and for a long time, like someone in a coma, I didn't perceive anything from my surroundings.

The day came when they began to raise the victims from the wreckage.

They found you too.

You got stuck and couldn't get out.

At your funeral, something broke through in me, and sobbing shook my whole body.

I also received expert help.  I was slowly getting better.

In the meantime, the court proceedings also took place.  Many of us went to testify.  Those in charge received their deserved punishment.

Many years have passed since then.  No matter how much I felt like it sometimes, time did not stand still.  I went back to school.  I missed you there every day.  I graduated and then went to university.  Love found me there.

There are cherry blossoms.  Everything is covered in pink petals.

Tomorrow is our wedding day.

And now I miss you more than usual.

After all, we planned to have our weddings together.  But you are not here.

I miss you.

I saw you in my dream, you congratulated me.

I didn't want to get up, I wanted you to stay a little longer.

But you said you had to go.

And you left me again.

I have to let you go because it hurts less.  This is how I say goodbye to you, but not forever.

With tearful eyes, I ran my eyes over the glass behind which our photos and the urn stood.

It's time for me to go.

Life is waiting, which I got a chance to do then.

Although I said goodbye now, I still miss you.

But I try to remember the good.

We'll meet again someday, where we're all headed.

Will you wait for me?

🎗️