'Jiseon, I Love You' Lee Jiseon... Miraculously Returning to Ewha Womans University

Severe Burns at 23... 40 Surgeries Later
Overcoming Adversity to Return as Alma Mater Professor

Professor Lee Ji-seon, who survived third-degree burns from a traffic accident at the age of twenty-three and endured over 40 surgeries, has announced a new beginning.

Professor Lee revealed on her SNS that starting from the new semester in March, she will be appointed as a professor in the Department of Social Welfare at her alma mater, Ewha Womans University, to teach her juniors.

[Photo by Professor Lee Ji-seon SNS capture]

On the 14th, she posted a photo from the full faculty meeting held at Ewha Womans University, saying, "I met an accident at twenty-three and left Ewha, but I have returned as a professor after 23 years," and shared the news, "I am grateful to experience the joy of teaching at my alma mater."

In 2000, when she was a senior at Ewha Womans University, she suffered third-degree burns over 55% of her body in a seven-car pileup caused by a drunk driver while returning home in her brother’s car after studying at the school library. The burns were so severe that they were considered unprecedented, but she overcame more than 30 surgeries and rehabilitation treatments.

Afterward, she graduated from the Department of Early Childhood Education and went to study abroad in the United States, earning a master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Boston University, a master's degree in Social Welfare from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in Social Welfare from UCLA.

After returning to Korea, she has been teaching students as a professor in the Department of Counseling Psychology and Social Welfare at Handong Global University since 2017.

[Photo by Professor Lee Ji-seon SNS capture]

Professor Lee reflected, "I was called to teach students six years ago, but I think I ended up living as someone who learned from the students instead," and expressed gratitude, saying, "Thank you to the Handong University students who tolerated and waited for this clumsy rookie professor."

She has received awards such as the 1st Candle Day Candlelight Award in 2003, being selected as one of the 100 People Who Brightened the World in 2007, and the Young Leader Award at the 8th Korea Women Leaders Awards in 2010.

Professor Lee also inspired many people by publishing an essay about her rehabilitation process titled Jiseon, I Love You.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.