36,000 to 1.
That was the competition ratio for the title of “Korea’s first astronaut.”
Dr. So-yeon Yi won that race in 2008, journeying into space and making history. But her return from the International Space Station (ISS) came with a life-threatening re-entry accident — and later, she had to endure controversy and misunderstanding.
Now based in the U.S., Yi serves as a bridge for Korean tech startups seeking to expand abroad. Following her recent induction into the 2025 Asian Hall of Fame, she spoke with The Korea Daily in an exclusive interview, reflecting on her path, her struggles, and the lessons she’s drawn from carrying the “first astronaut” title.
Q: How did it feel to be inducted into the Asian Hall of Fame?
A: “When I heard about it, I was honestly surprised. I always thought the Hall of Fame was only for sports stars or celebrities. When they told me I was selected, I said, ‘Wait—this is something I could be part of?’”
Q: How did the nomination come about?
A: “A woman named Julie Kang, who serves on the King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission in Seattle, mentioned she wanted to nominate me. I didn’t expect it to go anywhere, so I didn’t think much of it at the time.”
Q: How is life in the U.S. now?
A: “I live in Seattle, Washington. I occasionally lecture at the University of Washington when invited, and I mainly help Korean tech startups with business development, networking, and meetings with potential clients abroad. Even though I’ve lived here since my late 30s, I still identify strongly as Korean. Helping Korean companies go global brings me great fulfillment.”
Q: Is the title of ‘Korea’s first astronaut’ more of an honor or a burden?
A: “It’s both. Any prestigious title comes with responsibility. Whether you’re an astronaut, a K-pop artist, or an athlete, if you wear the Taegeuk mark and represent Korea, you carry a responsibility beyond yourself. At first, that weight felt heavy, but over time, I realized it became the driving force that keeps me accountable.”
Q: What were your feelings when you were chosen as the official astronaut?
A: “It was an incredible honor—I was thrilled but also terrified. Still, I tried to suppress that fear because I believed that representing my country required courage, not hesitation.”
Q: What were you terrified of?
A: “No matter how hard I trained, I couldn’t shake the feeling of uncertainty—‘Am I really ready?’ What I lacked most was a Korean astronaut senior who could tell me, ‘You’re ready. You’ll do fine.’ If I’d heard that, I would’ve felt immense relief. That’s why I hope that when Korea sends its next astronaut, I can be that person who says, ‘You’re ready. You can do this.’”
Q: It’s been 17 years since then, and Korea hasn’t had a second astronaut. Why?
A: “When I was younger, I was frustrated—‘Why hasn’t the next astronaut been selected?’ But now I understand it’s more complex. The government needs to define when, how, and why a second astronaut is necessary. There has to be a social consensus, too. At the time, we had the expertise and international ties, even with NASA. But perhaps Korea wasn’t yet fully ready—technically or institutionally. I believe it will happen again, but only when there’s both purpose and preparation.”
Q: Still, 17 years seems like a long time.
A: “Only the U.S., Russia, and China have produced a second astronaut within 5–10 years. They already had launch vehicles and infrastructure. For countries without that capability, it often takes 10–20 years. The first astronaut program is about national pride—it’s easy to justify. The second one requires leadership and a clear rationale. Convincing the public is harder. In the end, it’s not just up to the government. Citizens must speak up and dream about the future of science.”
Q: After returning, you faced harsh criticism and rumors. How did you cope?
A: “I was so busy back then that I barely had time to feel hurt. My schedule started at 4 a.m. and ended at 2 a.m. If social media had been as active then as it is now, the negativity might have affected me much more. Looking back, I realize I was physically and mentally exhausted. I had to give three or four talks a day, often without time to review my presentations. My colleagues at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute barely slept either.”
Q: Do you feel affection for space—or is it a chapter you wanted to erase?
A: “At one point, I wanted to erase space from my life. People would assume, ‘She’s an astronaut, she won’t want this job,’ or ‘We’d better pay her more,’ or ‘Can we even assign her this task?’ I once went to a job interview, and instead of talking about the position, they only asked about space. I realized they just wanted to meet ‘the astronaut.’ That’s when I thought, ‘Maybe I should erase that title entirely.’ But it’s not something you can erase—and maybe I wouldn’t want to anymore. The Earth is part of space after all. (laughs) Lately, I’ve started reconnecting with the space industry.”
Q: If you could go back, would you choose the same path?
A: “I think I would. If I went back knowing everything I know now, maybe not—but if I returned as the same inexperienced, curious person I was then, yes. I still believe it was the right choice.”
☞ About Dr. So-yeon Yi
Born in Gwangju, South Korea, in 1978, Dr. Yi earned her bachelor’s through Ph.D. degrees at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). Selected as a backup astronaut in 2007, she became Korea’s first astronaut in March 2008. She worked as a senior researcher at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute until 2014 and later earned an MBA from UC Berkeley. Yi married John Jeong in 2013 and has taught at the University of Washington and Pierce College. She currently serves as Global Business Director at Korean space technology startup SPEX and as an advisor to Boryung Corporation.
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
