[On Site, This Person] Yang Suhyeok, CEO of Hao in Wolsan-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju

Sharing 'Meal Coupons' for the Vulnerable
Regular Food Support for Neighbors and Welfare Centers
Aiming to Keep Jajangmyeon at 4,000 Won Until Closing
Learning 'Know-how' from Nam-gu Councilor Kim Kyungmook
"I Want to Expand the Love Meal Truck Throughout Gwangju"

Yang Suhyuk, owner of the Chinese restaurant 'Hao' in Wolsan-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju.

"Our restaurant's Jajangmyeon will remain 4,000 won until the day we close. Please eat to your heart's content."

This is the determination and commitment of Yang Suhyeok (35), who runs the Chinese restaurant 'Hao' in Wolsan-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju.

Yang's restaurant Hao offers Jajangmyeon for 4,000 won and Tangsuyuk for 9,000 won, making it more affordable than other places. For those who still find it burdensome, he provides 'meal coupons' so they can eat comfortably. The reason for selling food at such low prices is to ensure that children and seniors from vulnerable groups can visit and eat without worry.

Having grown up in a financially difficult household, Yang received help from neighbors during his childhood. Watching volunteers share side dishes, kimchi, and other foods, and accompany his father, who had mobility issues, to the hospital, he made up his mind to one day give back the kindness he received through volunteering.

Yang's full-fledged volunteer work began last year when he started running the restaurant. Although he had always wanted to help others, he was unsure how to begin, so he started by sharing the food he made at the restaurant with neighbors.

In August last year, he invited seniors living alone in Wolsan 5-dong and children from three local children's centers near the restaurant, serving 60 portions of Kongmul Guksu and other dishes. He also sponsors meals every month for the Hyeseong Group Home Center in Wolsan 4-dong.

In addition, he has held sharing events at Gwangju Nam-gu Welfare Center for the Disabled, and operated the "Love Meal Truck" in Pureungil, Jinwol-dong, providing food to those in need. He has also provided meal coupons worth a total of about 6 million won to Bongju Elementary School and the Wolsan and Juwol-dong areas, supporting meals for children, people with disabilities, seniors, and others from all walks of life.

Yang Suhyuk, owner of the Chinese restaurant 'Hao' in Wolsan-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju.

Yang said, "The reason I was able to expand my volunteer activities in various ways over time, despite my clumsy beginnings, was thanks to the know-how of Kim Kyungmook, a member of the Gwangju Nam-gu Council." He explained, "I first met Councilor Kim during a food-sharing volunteer event, and he gave me concrete advice on volunteering."

He continued, "As I was introduced to other local volunteers with similar mindsets, I gained more strength and was able to help more people in need. I'm grateful that I can support not only seniors but also children and people with disabilities from various backgrounds."

Yang often encounters many stories while delivering food directly to people's homes. In one case, an elderly couple with mobility issues rarely had family visit and struggled to have regular meals. Yang remembers such cases and carefully maintains relationships with neighbors he meets through his volunteer work, such as delivering Jajangmyeon for free.

Yang said, "As I continue sharing, I find my heart becoming warmer and I gain so much that I naturally want to take action. Right now, I'm serving food at my restaurant, but if I get the chance, I would like to operate the Love Meal Truck throughout Gwangju so that all neighbors can eat to their fill."