The Heartbreaking Story of Oh Ae-soon and Her Mother, Gwang-rye
The drama begins with the story of a ten-year-old girl named Oh Ae-soon and her mother, Gwang-rye.
Ae-soon’s mother, Gwang-rye, is a haenyeo (female diver) living on Jeju Island who harvests seafood for a living. She remarried another man and left Ae-soon, who lost her father at a young age, in the care of her deceased husband’s family.
Ae-soon misses her mother deeply, so she visits the seaside where her mother dives, waits until Gwang-rye finishes work, and follows her back home where her stepfather lives. Ae-soon earnestly pleads with her mother to live together, but Gwang-rye coldly refuses, telling Ae-soon to stay at her grandmother’s house.
Ae-soon feels deeply hurt by her mother’s harsh rejection. But there is a heartbreaking reason behind Gwang-rye’s behavior. Gwang-rye clearly knew that if she raised Ae-soon herself, economic hardship would prevent Ae-soon from receiving proper education. In her eyes, the grandparents’ home was financially stable enough to guarantee Ae-soon’s continued education and even enable her to attend university—an opportunity few women had during that time.
Ultimately, Gwang-rye made a painful decision—accepting the misunderstanding that she was a harsh and uncaring mother—to ensure her daughter Ae-soon could have a brighter and better future.
The Tearful Life of Ae-soon’s Mother, Gwang-rye
Ae-soon’s mother, Gwang-rye, has endured an exceptionally difficult life. From her parents, the only inheritance she received was debt. Her first husband, whom she depended on, fell ill for a long time and eventually passed away. Even after remarrying, her second husband proved incapable of providing stability, leaving her no one to rely on.
Yet, Gwang-rye found solace in her daughter, Ae-soon, who was excellent in her studies. Ae-soon would promise her mother that she would repay her kindness when she grew up, which made Gwang-rye feel both proud and grateful. However, at the same time, Gwang-rye felt even more sorrowful, as her ten-year-old daughter was already mature enough to understand and sympathize with her mother’s struggles.
This very reason convinced Gwang-rye further that Ae-soon should not grow up by her side. She was determined not to pass down her unending poverty and hardship to her daughter. With this heartbreaking resolve, she left Ae-soon under the care of her late husband’s family.
However, when Gwang-rye learned that even her late husband’s family was neglecting Ae-soon—treating her poorly and unfairly—her anger and sorrow overwhelmed her. She eventually returned to their house herself to take her daughter back.
Ae-soon, holding tightly onto her mother’s hand as she walked toward their home together, felt nothing but happiness.
Ae-soon’s happiness was short-lived.
Gwang-rye, who worked as a haenyeo, eventually fell ill and passed away the same year Ae-soon turned ten.
Left behind with her two younger half-siblings, Ae-soon’s life became a series of hardships and responsibilities far beyond her years.
Yet, even in the midst of her difficult life, there was one constant—a boy named Gwansik, who quietly liked her from a young age.
After losing her mother and taking care of her younger siblings, Ae-soon found quiet strength in Gwansik, who stayed by her side with a heart full of affection.
Though Ae-soon often acted blunt and grumbled, she understood his feelings.
Together, they grew up—she at nineteen, he at eighteen.
