“Don’t Look, I’m a Young Lady Too” — A Funny and Heartwarming Story About a Korean 5-Year-Old Girl

 

“Don’t Look, I’m a Young Lady Too” — A Funny and Heartwarming Story About a Korean 5-Year-Old Girl

In Korea, a child’s day often does not end when kindergarten is over.

This is the story of a little 5-year-old girl named Hye-won. Her family often calls her “Pretty Hye-won,” and she loves that nickname more than her real name. 

When someone calls her “Pretty Hye-won,” she answers right away, as if the word “pretty” belongs only to her.

She goes to kindergarten in the morning and comes home in the afternoon. But after a short snack, her second round of the day begins.

In Korea, many children attend private academies after kindergarten.

 These academies are almost like a second school. (In Korea, these are often called 'Hagwons.'

 While some focus on academics, many for young children are designed as safe and fun places for physical activity and creative play.) 

Hye-won goes to ballet, swimming, soccer, art, and science classes once a week.

One day, Hye-won came to my home wearing a ballet outfit.

She looked so beautiful that I told her, “Grandpa’s eyes are too dazzled to open.” 

I covered my eyes with both hands, pretending that she was shining like an angel.

She told me, “Grandpa, open your eyes.”

But later, she said she did not want to learn ballet anymore. 

Her former ballet teacher was strict, and she became afraid of going to class.

For about a year, she stopped ballet.

Whenever I saw her, I kept telling her, “You look like an angel when you do ballet.”

Last fall, she started going to a different ballet academy. This time, she said she loved ballet and liked her teacher. The new teacher was gentle and taught children according to their level.

Maybe she returned to ballet because the new teacher was kind. Or maybe, just maybe, she remembered her grandfather’s words.

Hye-won is only 5 years old. At that age, play is life itself.

She has so much energy every day, and sports are one of the best ways to help her use that energy. 

In Korea, many busy parents cannot take their children outdoors for sports every day. 

So they often send their children to sports academies.

When Hye-won sees a soccer ball, she runs after it, even among boys. At her soccer academy, children are not trained to become professional players.

 Instead, they learn why soccer is fun.

After more than an hour of soccer, even energetic Hye-won becomes tired.

She leaves home like a bright flower full of energy, but returns like a sleepy flower with her head down.

Swimming is the same.

When Hye-won takes a swimming lesson, she uses all her strength. When I ask, “Was it fun?” she answers, “Yes, it was fun.”

After coming home, she takes off her dusty clothes and heads straight to the bathtub.

Even bath time becomes another kind of sport and play for her. Bubbles cover her tiny body.

Then she says,

“Don’t look. Close the door.”

That one sentence made everyone laugh.

She is still a baby in our eyes, but in her own mind, she is already a young lady.

This small family story shows something interesting about Korean childhood.

Many Korean children live very busy lives from an early age. Kindergarten, academies, sports, art, and science become part of their daily routine.

To some people, this may seem too much for a 5-year-old child. But for many Korean families, these classes are also places where children play, learn, make friends, and use their energy.

Through Hye-won’s story, we can see both sides of modern Korean childhood.

It is busy.

It is competitive.

But it is also full of love, laughter, family, and small unforgettable moments.

"In Korea, 5-year-olds like Hye-won lead busy but exciting lives filled with various activities. To some, it might look intense, but for many families, it's a way to let children explore their talents and burn off energy. How do children in your country spend their time after kindergarten? Do they also have a busy schedule of 'Hagwons' or do they mostly play at home? I’d love to hear your thoughts!"

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