Bbakkga, First Confession from Descendant of Independence Activist: "My Great-Grandfather's Name Is Written in Baekbeom Ilji... His Devotion Was Too Heavy to Be Proud Of" [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Bbakkga of the group Coyote has confessed that she is a descendant of independence activist Jin Hee-chang.

On the 15th, Bbakkga revealed through her YouTube channel 'Bbakkga Unni' that "Independence Activist Gyeongnim Jin Hee-chang was my great-grandfather."

Bbakkga said, "My late mother often told me during her lifetime, 'Our family is the home of descendants of independence activists. Always live with pride in your heart and never feel inferior wherever you go.'"

She also admitted that she had never told this to her Coyote bandmates, with whom she has worked for 20 years. Bbakkga explained, "I was extremely cautious about mentioning my great-grandfather's name, fearing it might seem like I was riding on his achievements. That is why I have never spoken of it even once until now."

Bbakkga then revealed the reason she finally shared this story. She said, "I have heard for a long time that descendants of independence activists live in difficult economic conditions. In the past, I did not have the means or opportunity to help anyone, but now I am able to do so. If there are any descendants of independence activists who are struggling financially or need assistance, I wanted to offer my support, which is why I decided to speak out."

Bbakkga also provided detailed information about her great-grandfather, Jin Hee-chang. She stated, "He was one of the key independence activists who supported the finances and operations of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea when it was based in Shanghai."

According to her, Jin Hee-chang, born in 1974, fled to Shanghai in 1911 after the Gapsul National Crisis. There, he secured a job as a supervisor at a tram company operated by a British national. During the day, he worked as a transportation company supervisor and secretly provided safe houses, funds, and lodging for independence fighters who crossed over to Shanghai to escape Japanese rule in their homeland.

Furthermore, Bbakkga said, "On the night of April 10, 1919, independence activists gathered in the French Concession in Shanghai for a meeting. At that time, my great-grandfather attended as a member of the Provisional Legislative Council alongside figures such as Lee Dong-nyeong and Shin Ik-hee. During the Lim Si (Rep.) session, they decided on the national name 'Republic of Korea' and adopted the provisional constitution establishing a democratic republic. My great-grandfather was part of this historic first step in the founding of the Republic of Korea."

She continued, "In 1920, he helped establish the Shanghai Korean Community Self-Government Organization, known as the Shanghai Daehan-in Geuryumin-dan, within the Korean community in Shanghai. As a member of its executive committee, he supported the finances and operations of the community. He also assisted in running Minseong School to educate children of Koreans living abroad and contributed to the overall management of the community."

Bbakkga added, "What truly surprised me upon learning this fact was that my great-grandfather's name appears in the second volume of Baekbeom Ilji by Kim Gu. The book states, 'Close comrades like Jin Hee-chang helped me without hesitation when I had no food.' When I was at my most desperate and hungry, he provided warm meals without making me feel indebted and secured shelter for me. He became a steadfast human pillar until the very end."

Bbakkga said, "He tirelessly supported the Provisional Government and the independence movement day and night, but ultimately did not live to see liberation. He passed away in Shanghai in February 1933. In recognition of his meritorious service, the government posthumously awarded him the Order of Independence (Gukjeon Hwajang) in 1980."

She concluded, "Now you understand why I have never shared this story on any broadcast before, right? My great-grandfather's devotion as an independence activist was so immense and weighty that it felt too heavy to simply boast about him as a family pride."

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*This content was translated by AI.