[Power K-Women] Srolang Piabi Pursues a Better Life Beyond Comfort Through Volunteering

Established 'Piabihan Kamsarang' Foundation to Support Cambodian Children
Leads Volunteer Activities by Generating Ideas and Directly Participating on Site
"I Want to Be a Transparent Bridge Connecting Korea and Cambodia Through Billiards"

Editor's NoteAsia Economy has selected women who are active in various fields both domestically and internationally as 'Power K-Women' and plans to announce them through the ‘2023 Women Leaders Forum’ to be held on October 24th at the Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul. These women leaders have broken or transcended barriers such as gender, race, disability, and poverty to create new and universal values. Their stories will offer comfort to a weary world, serve as role models for others, and empower communities to move forward. We introduce candidates for Power K-Women every week?those who have stood up against discrimination and boundaries without shrinking back or being confined.

Srang Piabi, ranked No. 1 in women's professional billiards in Korea and No. 2 in the world, won Cambodia’s first-ever gold medal in the women's 3-cushion event at the ‘2023 Southeast Asian Games’ held last month in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It was a remarkable achievement for Cambodia, which hosted the Southeast Asian Games for the first time in 64 years. After staying in Cambodia for a month for the competition and volunteer work, Srang Piabi was met at a sponsor’s building located in Suwon. Despite joking that she had ruined her bangs by cutting them herself, she greeted the interview with a bright smile.

Husband Met Through International Marriage Encouraged Her to Play Billiards

Piabi first picked up a cue in 2010 after meeting her Korean husband and settling in Cheongju, Chungbuk. She met her current husband at an international marriage matchmaking event, motivated by a desire to help her family upon a relative’s recommendation. At the time, there were many concerns about international marriages in Cambodia, and her father discouraged her due to the significant age difference with her husband. However, encouraged by her grandfather’s words, “You are kind and good, so you will meet a good person,” she found the courage to proceed. It felt like an opportunity she couldn’t miss back then. Fortunately, as her grandfather predicted, she met a kind husband who cared deeply for her. At his encouragement, she started playing billiards and eventually became a gold medalist.

Living in a foreign country was a difficult challenge for Piabi. She stepped onto Korean soil thinking, “If it’s too hard, I’ll run away.” Her husband was awkward, and their financial situation was tight, so the place they stayed was embarrassing even to show to her family in Cambodia. She often cried while searching for Cambodia on YouTube. Fortunately, her husband never scolded her or pressured her to adapt. He waited patiently and encouraged her to do what she wanted by giving her money. However, overwhelmed by loneliness, Piabi didn’t know what she should or could do. Seeing this, her husband suggested billiards, a sport he enjoyed. Piabi recalls, “My husband, who was a boxer in his youth, probably wanted to give me a new challenge.”

Billiards Required Considerable Money... Felt Sorry for Husband Working from Dawn to Night

Thus, Piabi took up the cue. There are rumors that she was naturally talented and instantly captivated by billiards from the start, but that is only half true. While she did have exceptional hand coordination and learned quickly, billiards was not something she initially wanted. “At first, I forced myself to do it thinking that if I got good at it, I could help others.” According to Piabi, dedicating herself solely to practice was a heartbreaking ordeal. At that time, billiards was merely a means to become someone who could help others. It wasn’t as if she quickly earned money from billiards either. In the early days, it actually required a significant financial investment. Piabi tried to earn money by working in restaurants or factories, but each time, her husband encouraged her, saying, “You can become a famous champion.” While his support was appreciated, it sometimes felt like a heavy burden. Piabi recalls, “I felt so sorry for my husband who worked from dawn till night.”

3-Cushion Billiards Women's World Ranking 2nd (Domestic Ranking 1st) Srong Piabi. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

Her efforts finally paid off when she won an amateur tournament in 2017. As public attention grew, Piabi became more determined to improve and naturally developed a greater interest in billiards. Above all, she was happy knowing that her efforts could help someone. She was able to support her husband, family, and disadvantaged children in Cambodia. Having cared for those in need since childhood, she says, “I thought that if I was good at billiards, I could do what I wanted. I could help those I wanted to help... I believed that if I did well, I could definitely do it.”

Deeply Immersed in Volunteer Work for 8 Years... Feels Sorry for Not Being Able to Properly Support Family

Piabi, who took charity as her greatest motivation, shifted her focus from distant places to closer ones. If she had saved all the prize money and earnings she received so far, she could have enjoyed a ‘more comfortable life,’ but she prioritized a ‘better life.’ Although she couldn’t fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor due to financial difficulties, she established a foundation called ‘Piabi Han Cambodia Love’ to care for children in need in Cambodia. Piabi says, “After volunteering once or twice, I felt so happy that I immersed myself in volunteer work for eight years. I still feel sorry for not being able to properly help my family living in uncomfortable houses, but I tend to prioritize securing school land for children first. Maybe next year, I will be able to take better care of my family.”

Piabi personally comes up with ideas and leads the volunteer activities on-site. Last month, she sent buses to several disability organizations in Cambodia, gathering about 300 disabled people to share meals and play together. “It wasn’t just about giving money and ending it; we gathered, cooked food together, and played together. It was a time to share true love. The children with various disabilities were so kind that I cried a lot, but they comforted me, saying, ‘Sister, don’t cry. You’re not pretty when you cry.’”

The core of Piabi’s charity is ‘sincerity.’ Money is not important. She refuses donations made just to create advertising images. Piabi says, “Helping others is not something I can do just because I have money. When you go to Cambodia and meet people, you find that those who are struggling want to donate more. Some share money taken from their deceased father’s pants. Each and every one of these acts is touching.”

Piabi is also dedicated to planting hope in children through educational support. Originally, she planned to build a school to teach sports to children, but she recently decided that supporting existing schools is more effective. She provides supplies and financial support to schools and frequently spends time interacting directly with the children. Piabi emphasizes, “The children are so kind and smart, but they lack opportunities. I believe that if given a chance, they can become great people.”

Billiards Rises to Third Most Popular Sport in Cambodia

The birth of sports hero Piabi, who is devoted to charity, has brought significant changes in Cambodia. Traditionally, Cambodians have not been very interested in sports. Piabi once said, “I envied Koreans’ passion for soccer.” However, last month at the Southeast Asian Games, Cambodians cheered loudly, chanting ‘Piabi’ as she competed. “The cheers that erupt when the (three-cushion) billiard ball hits are tremendous. Hearing people shout ‘Piabi’ brings tears to my eyes. I loved seeing smiling Cambodians so much that I took photos with people for over three hours.” According to Piabi, billiards has recently jumped to become the third most popular sport in Cambodia.

3-Cushion Billiards Women's World Ranking 2nd (Domestic Ranking 1st) Srong Piabi. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

However, Piabi does not receive only positive attention. Remarks like “You can do it too” are sometimes met with sarcastic comments such as “Isn’t it just luck?” or “It’s easy to say that now that you’re famous,” which cause her great pain. Piabi laments, “Some people don’t see the time I silently endured and worked hard; they only look at my current appearance and say such things.” Yet she adds, “I am happiest when helping others. That is my dream gained through billiards. I think ‘just show it directly’ for both billiards and charity. Just as the negative image of billiards caused by gambling has improved a lot, charity will improve if shown.” She also emphasizes, “I want to be a necessary person connecting Korea and Cambodia. I want to be a transparent channel linking the two countries.”

*Srang Piabi

After marrying internationally in 2010, she settled in Cheongju, Chungbuk, following her Korean husband. Encouraged by her husband, she started playing billiards in 2011 and gained recognition after winning an amateur tournament in 2017. As of this year, she holds the No. 1 domestic ranking and No. 2 world ranking in women’s billiards. She is affiliated with Rico Sports Agency and her team is Blue One Angels.