South Korean athlete Daniel feels responsibility as descendant of independence activist

Track and field athlete Daniel, who recently set a South Korean record and won an Asian Games bronze medal, revealed on a JTBC broadcast that he is a descendant of independence activist Heo Seok.

South Korean national track and field athlete Daniel revealed a special connection with Jonathan, expressing his affection for South Korea and the sense of responsibility he feels as a national representative. During the broadcast of JTBC's 'Chef & My Fridge' on the 1st, Daniel appeared alongside Asian Games medalists Oh Sang-uk and Huh Mi-mi, showcasing his close friendship with Jonathan.

The weight of being a national representative as a descendant of an independence activist

Daniel won a bronze medal at this Asian Games while setting a new South Korean record. This medal holds deep significance as it was achieved after overcoming a crisis where he was initially disqualified for a lane violation while receiving the baton from a Japanese runner during the heats, a decision he overturned through an appeal. The intense process was recalled, noting that when the coach asked the athletes on-site whether they should appeal, the athletes did not say no but agreed to proceed, leading to an immediate appeal. Following the appeal, Daniel reported receiving a message from the coach to "prepare for the relay," at which point he felt certain he could catch the runner ahead and secure a medal during the race.

The background of Daniel joining the South Korean national team is intertwined with his family's will and historical facts. He revealed that during the process of acquiring South Korean citizenship, he learned that he is a descendant of the independence activist Heo Seok. Having learned this fact late, even though his parents were unaware, Daniel shared his mindset as a national representative, stating, "I felt a sense of responsibility, and thanks to that, I think I worked a bit harder."

His grandmother's will also had a major influence on his path. His grandmother, who loved judo, had a wish that "it would be good if you go to South Korea and try it, and it would be good if you become a national representative," which ultimately led him to the position of a South Korean national athlete. Daniel cited visiting his grandmother's grave as the thing he wanted to do most after winning the gold medal in the final.

Sincerity in response to "Do you like Korea?" and "real friend" chemistry with Jonathan

Regarding the question frequently asked by the public, "Do you like Korea?", Daniel gave a short but clear answer: "I do." Having lived in South Korea for more than a year, he expressed his affection for the country. He also shared inconveniences in daily life, such as having to call customer centers to register for internet services because his name is long, or his name not fitting entirely on stadium electronic displays.

The highlight of the broadcast was the relationship with Jonathan. The two have known each other since their parents' time, and Jonathan revealed an anecdote where he sent a long message to Daniel once he became famous. Daniel's message contained sincere encouragement, saying, "Everyone around me likes you," and "I hear your story, and I don't know why I'm acting like this, but even though I haven't done anything for you, I was very lacking."

Adding entertainment value, Jonathan initiated a video call directly to Daniel's mobile phone on set. Jonathan recalled encouraging Daniel in the past by saying, "Shouldn't you become the pride of South Korea?" and promised to continue their ongoing bond.

Source: JTBC Entertainment (YouTube)