“I went to Sungsimdang to buy a gift for my girlfriend”... Why a blind YouTuber was moved

[Financial News] A blind YouTuber who visited Sungsimdang in Daejeon alone shared an experience of receiving help from employees and members of the public. The employees first asked for consent before making physical contact, then guided the YouTuber in choosing bread. Members of the public also helped along the way.
On the 29th, a video titled “I went all the way to Daejeon alone to buy my girlfriend a gift, and then this happened... I’m in tears” was uploaded to the YouTube channel ‘Oneshot Hansol.’
Hansol went to Sungsimdang to buy a gift for their girlfriend. The store was crowded with customers choosing bread.
When Hansol had difficulty getting around in the crowded store, an employee noticed and came over. The employee asked, “Would you perhaps need any help?” When Hansol asked for assistance, the employee first sought consent for physical contact before helping Hansol get around.
The employee asked, “If you don’t have anyone with you, I’ll need to walk with you. Would it be okay for me to touch you?” The employee helped Hansol get around only after Hansol agreed, and walked with them around the store, describing the breads for sale and popular products one by one so Hansol could choose what they wanted.
Hansol also received help from an employee when visiting Sungsimdang Cake Boutique, which sells cakes.
When Hansol joined the long line to get in, another employee came over and said, “I’ve spoken to the store, and I’ll take you to the front.” The employee guided Hansol into the store without having to wait.
Feeling uneasy about going in ahead of other customers, Hansol asked, “But is it okay for me to go in this quickly?” The employee replied, “We always help people.”
Sungsimdang also offers separate assistance for pregnant customers and customers with disabilities. Pregnant customers who verify their pregnancy with a pregnancy confirmation certificate or a maternal health handbook, for example, can enter without waiting in line with one companion. They are also offered a 5% discount on their purchase. Customers with disabilities are assisted by employees through the purchasing process.
People also helped Hansol while traveling by public transportation before reaching Sungsimdang.
When Hansol arrived in Daejeon, a station attendant helped them get off safely. The attendant then checked their destination and accompanied them all the way to the subway station entrance. When Hansol could not find the right direction inside the subway station, an older person spoke up, saying, “Come this way,” and showed them the way.
Having received help from many people during the trip, Hansol expressed gratitude, saying, “There are so many wonderful people who come to my aid. So many people are helping me.”
After the video was released, comments praising the kind treatment from Sungsimdang employees and Daejeon residents continued to pour in.
One commenter wrote, “The people who helped guide me on the train, the residents of Daejeon, and the Sungsimdang employees are all so kind.” Another commenter wrote, “Sungsimdang is kind, the employees are kind, and the people of Daejeon are kind. I was moved from start to finish.”
Hansol is a YouTuber who developed acquired blindness after losing their sight to Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). On their channel, they share not only the daily lives of people with visual impairments but also their experiences traveling alone and using public transportation, continuing their work to improve awareness of disability.


[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter