Park Yeon-su opens up about struggles supporting athlete children

Actress Park Yeon-su has opened up about the realistic hardships she faces while supporting her two children as they pursue careers in golf and soccer. Her reflections on the daily life of a sports family traveling nationwide and the years spent raising her children alone are resonating with many.

Recently, Park posted a photo of what appeared to be a lodging facility on her SNS, writing, “Still scared before falling asleep.” She added, “Thanks to my sports siblings, I am traveling through accommodations all over the country. Even in my 7th year, I still haven't adjusted. When will this end?”

The post highlights that while her life of traveling to various accommodations across the country to follow the matches and training of her daughter, Song Ji-a, and son, Song Ji-uk, has continued for seven years, she has still not become accustomed to spending nights alone in unfamiliar places. It also offers a glimpse into the heavy burden placed on guardians who must manage schedules, transportation, and lodging behind the scenes of an athlete's growth.

Park married former national soccer player Song Jongguk in 2006 and divorced in 2015. Since then, she has raised their two children alone, consistently supporting their decision to become athletes. Song Ji-a and Song Ji-uk, who were introduced to the public through the MBC variety program 'Dad! Where Are We Going?', are now building their own careers in golf and soccer, respectively.

Song Ji-a has developed into a professional golfer, obtaining her KLPGA membership last year. She has since joined the Samchully Sports Team and is gaining professional experience, including competing in the 16th KLPGA Lotte Open.

Her son, Song Ji-uk, is following in his father's footsteps as a soccer player. He is honing his skills as a member of Pyeongtaek Jinwi FC, part of the renowned Jinwi High School soccer program. Recently, his activities alongside Song Jongguk drew public attention, highlighting the bond between father and son.

The time Park Yeon-su has dedicated goes beyond traditional parenting; it is the demanding lifestyle of an athlete's family. Professional sports require more than just training and matches; they necessitate continuous support from guardians to manage long-distance travel, repeated stays in temporary accommodations, and shifting rhythms to match competition schedules. This burden is compounded by the fact that her two children compete in entirely different sports.

Recalling the years she spent raising the children alone, she once confessed, “When I was raising them alone, it felt so sorrowful and difficult, like I was running all by myself through a dark, long tunnel.”

Despite these challenges, Park continues to silently support her children's choices. Although the nights in unfamiliar accommodations remain daunting and the lifestyle's duration uncertain, she remains by their side, accompanying them on their journey as they pursue their dreams on the field and the course.