"Grandmother, Be Happy There" 'Gangnam Station Gum Grandmother' Passes Away, Citizens Mourn [Reporter Han Visits]

Gangnam Station 'Gum Grandma' Selling Gum on Staircases of Gangnam Station and Shinbundang Line Passes Away at 94
Had Children but Sold Gum Despite Illness to Avoid Being a Burden
Citizens Mourn, "Grandma Gave Us Much Comfort... Thankful and Sorry"
Family Thanks Citizens for Their Warm Hearts Toward Grandma

The so-called 'Gangnam Station Gum Grandma,' who used to sit on the stairs of Gangnam Station and the Shinbundang Line subway selling gum, has passed away at the age of 94. Flowers and letters commemorating the grandmother are placed in the memorial space prepared by her family and citizens. Photo by Han Seunggon hsg@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The woman known as the 'Gangnam Station Gum Grandma' has passed away at the age of 94. The exact date of her passing has not been disclosed, but it is reported that she died at least a week ago. This grandmother sat on a step in the Gangnam Station and Sinbundang Line subway station for a long time, selling gum.

Upon news of her passing, waves of mourning have arisen not only on various online communities, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and other social media (SNS) platforms but also at the very spot where she sat selling gum and begging.

On the afternoon of the 20th, flowers and memorial letters honoring her were placed where she used to sit. Passersby said, "I often bought gum from her, it's so sad. I hope she has gone to a better place," expressing their sorrow. Nearby merchants also mourned, saying, "We saw her for a long time, and it hurts to hear she has passed away."

During her lifetime, rumors circulated that she drove a luxury private car or that she was involved with organized crime while selling gum. However, according to a broadcasting station, this grandmother was a mother of four children who disliked asking her children for help and thus sat on the cold steps of Gangnam Station selling gum.

Citizens passing by helped her livelihood by buying gum without asking for change. In a broadcast interview, she especially mentioned her eldest son many times. The eldest son said in the broadcast, "I often visit the house where my mother lives and regularly take care of her medication."

According to a social worker, this grandmother had a kind of penitent feeling for not being able to do enough for her children and continuously earned money for them.

Citizens visiting the memorial space for the woman known as the 'Gangnam Station Gum Grandma.' Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

According to neighborhood residents, the grandmother left her home around 9 a.m. and packed up around 9:30 p.m., sitting on the cold subway steps for about 12 hours selling gum. It is known that she endured the misbehavior of nearby homeless people steadfastly, selling gum for her children.

A memorial letter left by a woman in her twenties at the memorial space on the 20th expressed a tender heart toward the grandmother.

The woman recalled, "I have seen her since high school, and now I am about to graduate from university," adding, "I still seem to hear her voice saying 'Thank you~' every time I bought gum."

She especially said, "I deeply regret not being able to say warmer words or buy more gum while she was alive," and reflected, "Unknowingly, I think I found a lot of comfort from her while passing through Gangnam Station." She continued, "If we meet again someday, please remember me as the 'young lady who bought gum' and give me a hug just once. I love you, Grandma," paying tribute.

The memorial for the grandmother continues not only offline but also online. One netizen said, "I heard the news that she passed away. She was someone I saw every day on my commute... When I had cash, I bought gum and gave her hot packs and warm soup because it was cold... I should have at least said goodbye... She was always smiling brightly even recently... I wondered where she was when I didn't see her the other day. I thought, 'No way she passed away,' but I'm sorry. Rest well," expressing condolences.

Another netizen said, "I passed by Gangnam Station today and saw people paying tribute, so I learned the news. Every time I passed by, I kept telling myself I should buy gum once. I'm sorry. Why did I keep putting off buying gum just once...," showing regret.

Another netizen said, "I went to Gangnam Station today... Someone left flowers and drinks. Grandma, please rest comfortably now... We always talked a lot when passing by, and you warmly welcomed me every time. It's so sad...," they said.

The grandmother's family expressed their gratitude for the kindness shown by citizens through the memorial space. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

Meanwhile, the bereaved family left a message of gratitude on the steps where the grandmother used to sit for the citizens who mourn her.

The family said, "Thank you to the citizens for your warm hearts toward Grandma. We believe Grandma has finished her hardships in this world and is now in God's embrace. Please pray a lot. Thank you," and added, "Please now mourn only with your prayers and hearts. Thank you," expressing their gratitude.

Regarding the citizens' mourning, a social worker said, "The tender feelings toward the grandmother seem to stem from a shared empathy for her that everyone has, including herself, and a feeling of guilt for not being able to help her well," adding, "Because she endured hardships sitting on the cold subway steps for a long time, facing the cold wind, these feelings are even stronger." They emphasized, "Not only for this grandmother but also for the welfare of the elderly and the urgent need to address related blind spots."