2021 Jeonbuk LIFE! Summer Edition

HUSTLE & BUSTLE
Over the course of the next
10 years, Jason hustled,
working between two to
three jobs at a time to build
up enough start-up capital.
At the same time, he was
hustling in the gym. In 2001,
Jason had met a Croatian
guy who introduced him to
mixed martial arts. “He tried
to drag me into MMA for a
couple of years, I guess. I
refused, though, because I
felt like I couldn’t get a good
score. It was too aggressive,
too bloody,” Jason said. But
after watching his friend
fight in a match, and with his
background in taekwondo,
Jason thought it looked
interesting enough to try. So
he got in at 30 when many
fighters are getting out.
Even worse, the building
was uninsured as well until
city council approval was
finalized. After a period of
depression, Jason turned his
sights back to the future and
thought, “It took me 10 years
to build this, so I can build it
again in 10 more years.” He
redoubled his efforts and
started again.
In 2014, an accounting job
took him to Busan. Though
retired from fighting, he
joined an MMA gym there
to keep up with his fitness.
But one day, midway
through his three-year job
contract, he found his body
uncooperative and weak.
"Something felt 'off,'" he said.
Over the next two weeks,
he rapidly lost about 10
kilograms and knew he had
to get it checked out.
I wasn't meant to still
be here, so I'm taking
everyday as a gift.
He joined an MMA gym to
Back in Australia, the
and thought, “This isn’t
From his angry, aggressive,
learn skills he lacked: boxing,
diagnosis was bleak:
the place for me. I have
heavy metal youth, to his
Muay Thai, judo, jujitsu,
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
to live somewhere else.”
equally driven MMA 30s,
and bodybuilding. Then he
(ALS), also known as Lou
That moment of decision
if you met Jason today,
got after it. By the time he
Gehrig's disease. In 2014,
would lead to another
you’d see a kind and
retired in 2010, his record
the Ice Bucket Challenge
revolutionary life change.
caring man who knows the
was 26 wins and 11 losses.
went viral on social media
depth of human suffering
That year was a big year for
to raise awareness of this
After a monthslong,
because he’s lived it, and
Jason, as was finally able
neuromuscular degenerative
exhaustive
thought
who still has a bit of fire
to launch his own studio,
disease. A typical prognosis
process, he woke up on
left in him. “Actually, I
Studio dRK.
is two to four years, but in
June 4 and said, “OK, no
found God in Jeonju,” he
Jason’s case, with his sudden
more head trip. Let’s go
says, attributing much of
LOSING IT ALL
rapid weight loss, the doctor
gave him only six months.
to Jeonju.” He booked the
ticket immediately and
his newfound peace to
his newfound religious
Unfortunately, just before
arrived on June 9.
experience.
his studio was to open,
while waiting for city council
REBIRTH
Now, two years into his
Reflecting on his
approval for industrial levels
Three months after the
new life, Jason is at peace.
transition from Australia
of electricity usage in his
initial diagnosis, test results
“I came here to do nothing.
back to Korea, he said,
building, the largest flood
indicated that the disease
The purpose of coming to
“Actually, even though
since 1974 hit Brisbane,
had nearly halted. Jason
Jeonju was to reclaim my
I’m Korean, I experienced
causing almost $2 billion
went back to trying to live a
life. I wasn't meant to still
a bit of culture shock. But
in damage and destroying
normal life, but one morning
be here, so I'm taking every
in Jeonju, the best part so
everything he’d built.
in January 2019, he woke up
29
day as a gift,” he said.
far has been the food.”