"A nation that forgets its history has no future." "I will study again," says Lee Chan-won, expressing his sincere respect for the noble sacrifice [Secrets of Celebrity Soldiers]

*This content was translated by AI.

'Secrets of Celebrity Soldiers' shines a light on female independence activists, including Yoo Gwan-soon, ahead of Liberation Day.

In the episode airing on the night of the 11th on KBS 2TV's 'Secrets of Celebrity Soldiers', alongside Han Min-guk-eul (CEO), the independence activist Yoo Gwan-soon, hidden stories of female independence activists not fully covered in textbooks will be revealed.

On this broadcast, entertainer Seo Kyung-seok, who also serves as a lecturer for the Korean History Proficiency Test, appears. He shares tales of female independence fighters that have never appeared on exams, honoring their achievements. Additionally, Urban Zakapa member Jo Hyun-ah joins as a guest to convey deep empathy and emotion.

Where Did Women Vanish 100 Years Ago?

Over 100 years ago, women began disappearing without a trace from all corners of the country. Kim Hyang-hwa, a famous geisha in Suwon; Im Myeong-ae, the pregnant wife of Gong Jang (President) in Paju; and even a young student attending a girls' school in Seoul. With nothing in common except being female, these women successively vanished, sparking widespread rumors. This program traces the full story behind these mysterious disappearances.

The missing women were discovered in hell hidden behind red brick walls—Seodaemun Prison itself. Among them, 'Female Ward Cell 8', where female prisoners were held, was a cramped space of just over three pyeong (about 10 square meters), rife with bedbugs, fleas, and infectious diseases. The hosts could not hide their shock at the horrific imprisonment endured by female independence activists.

Especially heartbreaking was the story of Im Myeong-ae, who gave birth to a baby while in prison and was then re-imprisoned with her newborn child.

It is also revealed that the missing student was none other than Yoo Gwan-soon. Though Yoo Gwan-soon was so passionate about the March 1st Movement that she painted 5,000 Taegukgi flags using rice bowls, she actually enjoyed playing pranks with friends. She was an innocent girl who once joked, "I pray in the name of cod," while looking at dried cod side dishes. When her human side, unknown from textbooks, was revealed, Jo Hyun-ah exclaimed in surprise, "I didn't know she was such a playful girl."

Hope Unlost Even Within Living Hell

Even amidst extreme starvation and torture, female independence activists never gave up hope. They melted frozen diapers with their bare bodies in the dead of winter, shared rice mixed with insects, and relied on one another. Despite despair, they composed songs to strengthen their resolve for independence. The 'Song of Cell 8', whose lyrics had been passed down for generations, was finally given a new melody after over 100 years and echoed once again in the studio.

Hearing this, Jo Hyun-ah shared her thoughts: "It's touching that they shared a message about living through song."

Next, on March 1, 1920, marking the first anniversary of the March 1st Movement, shouts of "Long Live Korean Independence" erupted from Female Ward Cell 8 at Seodaemun Prison. The cries spread to adjacent cells and ultimately resonated throughout the entire prison as a unified cry for independence. Even under Japan's strict surveillance, prisoners were able to unite in purpose through a secret code known only within the prison walls. We investigate what that code truly was.

Yoo Gwan-soon's True Face Revealed Through AI Restoration, and Her Post-Liberation Activities

However, the indoor independence movement led to brutal torture. The Japanese authorities employed at least 72 confirmed methods of torture, including narrow wall confinement. In this broadcast, scientific analysis and restoration technology were combined to restore distorted images from Yoo Gwan-soon's prisoner photo. As a result, severe swelling marks caused by harsh torture were revealed, sending shockwaves through the studio.

Ultimately, Yoo Gwan-soon died in the cold prison just three months before her release. Even after liberation, female independence activists remained largely unrecognized, and Yoo Gwan-soon's remains were cremated alongside unclaimed bones. She is now interred at Mangwot Historical Park in Jungnang-gu. Lee Chan-won expressed sincerely: "I thought I knew Korean history well, but I didn't know much about female independence activists. I need to study again."

Even in the darkest and coldest hell, female independence activists preserved their resolve for independence by sharing each other's warmth. The episode 'Female Ward Cell 8', which tells the story of their noble sacrifice and solidarity—stories not fully covered in textbooks—will air on Tuesday the 11th at 8:30 PM. It will also be available for viewing on the OTT platform Wavve.

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*This content was translated by AI.