"Looked Like a Hero"...Teen Head of Household Working Three Jobs 15 Hours a Day, Stepping Closer to Dream of Becoming a Paramedic

A Teen Who Cared for Parkinson's Grandfather and Intellectually Disabled Father, Gave Up High School Admission to Work 15 Hours a Day at 'Three Jobs'... Shares College Acceptance News
"Will I Ever Escape This Bottom?"

Lee Yong-il (18), who worked three jobs for 15 hours a day to support his family, recently received news that he was accepted into a university's emergency rescue program. The photo shows Lee working at a tinting company ahead of his college entrance. Photo by YTN

"(The paramedics) looked like heroes. No matter how tired or sick I was, as long as they were there..."

It was recently reported that Lee Yong-il (18), the eldest son who gave up going to high school to take care of his sick family and worked three jobs for 15 hours a day, has been accepted into a university emergency medical services program.

On the 28th of last month, YTN reported that Lee, who became a topic of conversation for working three jobs 15 hours a day to care for his grandfather suffering from Parkinson's disease and his father who developed intellectual disabilities after a traffic accident, was recently admitted to university.

Previously, Lee gained attention last year when the international relief and development NGO World Vision shared his story of working hard for 15 hours a day to support his family’s livelihood. Starting work since the second year of middle school, Lee worked at restaurants, window tinting shops, and convenience stores during the day, and at night he took on jobs such as security, delivery, and warehouse management. After carrying delivery packages, he would squat on the stairs to rest briefly, and his meals were often instant noodles and kimbap. However, in November last year, Lee’s situation worsened. Despite the difficulties caused by his disabilities, his father, who tried to help with the family income by riding a delivery motorcycle, passed away in an accident.

Lee Yong-il is sharing the news that he recently got accepted into the university's Department of Emergency Medical Services. YTN

Despite the overwhelming reality and the pain of losing his father, a ray of hope came before the New Year of 2025. Lee, who dreamed of becoming a paramedic, received an acceptance letter from a university emergency medical services program. Even in difficult circumstances, Lee reduced his sleep to study for the high school equivalency exam, which he passed this summer. He then received the acceptance letter for the university EMS program, making him a college student ahead of his peers next year.

Lee said, "(The paramedics) looked like heroes," and added, "No matter how tired or sick I was, as long as they were there, I could always get to the hospital." He continued, "If I go to university and achieve my goals, maybe I can escape from this bottom."

After the news spread, netizens responded warmly with comments such as "He persevered despite the tough environment. Truly amazing," "He will definitely become an excellent paramedic," "It’s unbelievable to work three jobs and pass the equivalency exam while studying. I’m just amazed," "I hope only good things lie ahead," "Cheering for you," and "To me, this kid looks like a hero."