[Stones and Stories] Song Hye-kyo's Go, the Lingering Echo Amidst Swirling Pollen

Sitting on a wooden bench in a park where pollen is swirling, Song Hye-kyo (playing Moon Dong-eun) plays Go. The drama "The Glory," which struck last spring, is a work that hides the chillingness of personal revenge within a lyrical landscape.

Retribution against school violence perpetrators. Ironically, the medium connecting the grand narrative of violence is the static game of Go. Song Hye-kyo completed the revenge scenario by utilizing her opponent's interest and affection for Go. It is considered a drama that well depicts the duality of 'Sudam (手談)'?subtle yet sharp, intertwined with empathy and intrigue.

Riding the wave of the drama's popularity, interest in Go also grew. Children knocked on the doors of Go classrooms, and middle-aged people took out old wooden Go boards, long neglected and covered in layers of dust in storage. It was a time captivated by Go, where black and white stones are placed alternately to unfold stories of life.

That spring passed, followed by summer, autumn, and winter, but the Korean Go community has yet to welcome another spring day. The harsh cold wind is sweeping through the Korean Go world. The season of Go remains winter.

Unlike football, South Korea's most beloved sport, which is facing a crisis with disappointing international tournament results, Korean Go continues to achieve record-breaking successes. The second Battle of Shanghai, embroidered by professional Go player Shin Jin-seo 9-dan in February this year, was an achievement whose excitement is hard to convey with just the four words "championship legend."

Women's Go, led by the world's strongest Choi Jeong 9-dan, is also imprinting the strength of Korean Go on the world stage. Is there any other sport where both men and women are regarded as the world's best besides Go? As Korean Go has repeatedly sounded victory bells in major international tournaments, its remarkable achievements have sometimes been underestimated.

On May 28, 2019, elderly people are playing Baduk at Jongmyo Park in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

It may take a long time before we fully realize how remarkable the results produced by Korea, the "country of Shin Jin-seo," truly are. Beneath the regrets in the Go community lies disappointment over indifference and neglect. After enduring the hardships of life following COVID-19, Korean Go has brought joy to the nation with its shining record. However, shocking news such as the "Go budget zero won" controversy is draining the spirits of Go players.

If the government's indifference and society's neglect continue, the status of Korean Go will inevitably be shaken. Shouldn't we avoid merely reminiscing about past glories and soothing bitter feelings? The sharp words conveyed by Cho Hunhyun 9-dan, a legend of Korean Go and former member of the Saenuri Party (predecessor of the People Power Party), in a media interview are worth reflecting on.

"The legacy of the Go community must be continued. We have to let it breathe. At this rate, the Go community will inevitably perish."