What Went Wrong in the South Korean Ferry Disaster?

Some survivors and family members also later ended their lives, including the Vice Principal of Danwon High School, two days afterwards. He not only arranged the trip but was on the ferry and was rescued while leaving most of his students and their accompanying teachers behind. I don’t know how much blame the man should have. Maybe some of the survivors were kids he got out. I don’t know. But I sure would not have saved myself while the students I was responsible for stayed quietly in place. He certainly seemed to blame himself though. Out of the Junior class at Danwon HS only 75 students remained, some of whom were not on the trip and dozens who were actually survivors who did not obey orders to stay in place. Horrific. Thanks for watching this difficult story and gaining a deeper understanding of the situation and what and why BTS felt called to act.

Nanci B. Kuykendall

I did notice them 😡

I don’t know if anyone mentioned this before, but I can see there were lifeboats, they just were not used. When the captain escapes, you can see the dozens of white capsules to the right of the screen. Those are lifeboats, they inflate when launched. They just were not used 🤬🤬🤬🤬

Clem20033

WTF!

Just as you did, when I first was introduced to Spring Day and some of the meaning behind it, I dug further and watched this video and some of the students' videos on youtube of this event. I'm also so disgusted by what happened and why but I rewatch any time a reactor goes further and watches additional information. It breaks my heart, but I feel like I owe it to those lost to never forget them and their story.

heavenlyonesbts

I could be misremembering but I think those girls at the beginning who were talking about being told to stay there while the captain/crew probably save themselves and they all die, saying stuff like “isn’t that usually what happens in these situations?” etc. actually did die. I think the video was recovered from one of their cell phones. There were other videos filmed by other students that died that were also recovered. Very sad.

Tammy S

I just read that President Moon has pardoned President Park. Wow

Marjorie Taylor

no matter how often I watch this video, I always cry. I'm just so angry and frustrated but most of all sad. Those poor people had to go through so much pain, while the ones in power only watched and continued with their lives as if nothing happened. It's disgusting. A part of me is glad that they "won" in the end, that those corrupted people had to pay for what they've done, but the other part asks "at what cost?"

nal (jjinjjin)

I think I am a mess because I had to watch you react to this. I cried so much the first time I watched this. The cruelty of the government. I think I watched a different video on this. This doesn't is a little more sanitized.

Marjorie Taylor

I saw this video for the first time right now. And I can not stop crying. I am so sad and angry right now. My heart is breaking. Those poor children, those poor parents, families and friends. Those brave civilian divers. They sacrified so much. They truely are heros! I am also lost in words. Thank you sharing with us. Sending you hugs and hope you will feel better. 💜

RoL

No problem! (to clarify one thing: the Gwangju Uprising occured after the assassination + in the chance to act after the power vacuum that formed and the resulting somehow-more-terrible-dictator that followed) Also, you might also find this article interesting (goes into a pre-debut song that Suga wrote about the uprising as well with historical context): https://www.google.com/amp/s/aminoapps.com/c/btsarmy/amp/blog/the-meaning-behind-the-lyrics-gloss-518-062/xpjw_WpXh2u3MN7q6q5Zg3aQMQ76zWPRoEG

Soeun Park

Thank you for sharing this information.

If you want to know more backstory on President Park and how she got elected in the first place, I would highly recommend looking into her family history. Her father (among others) seized control (/were put in control by the US) after the Korean War and he acted as the military dictator of Korea for a while. He was (somehow) still revered by people today, since his dictatorship took South Korea from the poorest country in the world to the "Miracle on the Han River". He was eventually assasinated by his own CIA, which is another wild tale. If you want to get to know the terrible, terrible story of his rule in Korea, I would recommend the movie "A Taxi Driver" (on Youtube for free now!!: https://youtu.be/OWuB1ohsa3U). It features the dad from Parasite and has a solid amount of English in it. It's based on the true story of a German journalist who snuck into the city of Gwangju during a complete media blackout as a massacre of protesters (mostly university students) was going on. It's a FANTASTIC movie. J-Hope is from Gwangju and mentions the event in the song "Ma City" as well. The crazy stories that were revealed after President Park got impeached are worth reading an article or two about too (fortune tellers and hypnosis, anyone?).

Soeun Park

My heart 💔💔💔😭😭😭

Camille

I don't usually comment much... extreme shy introvert here but I feel you so much on this. I use to be in the political sphere as well. Seeing those in power refusing to take actions that would help people or worse take actions and implement policy that causes harm was completely disheartening. I saw way too much of that in the elections I took part of and it takes a toll. I also agree with your point that while we'll never know who all could have been saved, we do know that many would have had it not been for the corruption and gross criminal negligence of the government and those in charge. Those children and passengers were not once a priority in this. Management and those in charge only thought of themselves the entire time. It's beyond disgusting and frustrating... I honestly don't even have the words for it. I know this wasn't an easy watch so I'm sending big hugs to you. 💜💜💜

Yani Reid