Bus driver family finds new unity through shared profession

Veteran driver Dong-seop and his family have found renewed connection as his wife Sun-nam and daughter Hye-won joined him in the bus driving industry. The shift in household dynamics has allowed the couple to spend more time together, even as Dong-seop jokes that he can no longer raise his voice after losing his status as the sole breadwinner.

At 4:45 a.m., some people begin their day in the darkness of a garage in Incheon that has not yet faded. Dong-seop, a veteran driver with 10 years of experience, drives city buses in Incheon. His daily routine begins in the early morning, moving carefully so as not to wake his family. Due to the nature of a job where punctuality is vital, Dong-seop's commute is a continuous series of tension.

"Mom, you should try harder," says mother, smiling bitterly at her daughter's skills

Dong-seop's family is somewhat special. To share the weight of being the breadwinner, his daughter Hye-won and wife Sun-nam have also taken the bus steering wheel. Hye-won began driving at the age of twenty-two and currently drives city buses in Bucheon. "At first, the lifestyle of waking up early and finishing late was hard, but now it is fun," Hye-won said, expressing satisfaction with her profession.

Working in the same industry, Sun-nam and Hye-won sometimes pass each other at the company according to their shift schedules. However, within the workplace, their relationship as "senior and junior" takes precedence over their mother-daughter relationship. In particular, the fact that the daughter is a step ahead in driving skills brings laughter to the family. Watching her daughter smoothly pull into a reverse parking spot in one go, Sun-nam smiled bitterly, noting, "The other drivers tell me to try harder, Mom."

"If I don't have my wife, I'll have to leave" — how the relationship changed after becoming a bus driver

The common denominator of being bus drivers has also brought changes to the couple's relationship. In the past, Dong-seop was responsible for the livelihood and could raise his voice at home, but as his wife and daughter began working together, the power dynamic in the household has subtly shifted. "In the past, I could speak loudly because I brought home the money, but now I cannot," Dong-seop said with a mix of a joke and sincerity.

The couple, who previously found it difficult to see each other due to shift work, actually found more time to talk after starting work together. On days when their shifts align, their greatest joy is cooking and sharing meals together. With Dong-seop, who served as a cook in the military, taking charge of the kitchen, frequent arguments have decreased, and "spring days" have returned to the couple's relationship.

Support from eldest son Jae-won, who has a brain lesion: "My family is my pride"

The family's cohesion is also confirmed through the eldest son, Jae-won, who has a brain lesion. Jae-won considers the fact that his family members drive buses to be a great source of pride. Although he has become an adult, he is still someone who requires meticulous care from his family. Jae-won silently holds his place as a member of the family, such as affectionately setting out side dishes during meal times.

Dong-seop expressed feelings of apology when thinking of Jae-won, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy from birth. However, rather than blaming one another, the family members do their best in their respective places and hold hands to endure each day together. Their operations, which begin at the dawn garage, can be read as a process of connecting the lives of a family that supports one another, going beyond simple transportation.

Source: original video (YouTube)