Cha Ea-kyoung, now 58, has transformed her harrowing life experiences into a powerful autobiographical essay that won recognition in a major online writing contest. Her work, titled "A Teenage Mom's Courageous Struggle in Tumultuous Life," was selected as one of the winners in the 12th Brunch Book Project, chosen from more than 10,000 entries on Kakao's platform for aspiring authors.

Cha's story begins with one of the most challenging moments of her teenage years. "I couldn't tell anyone I was pregnant," she wrote, recalling her senior year of high school. "My mom's business had failed and she was constantly on the run from loan sharks. Telling a friend wouldn't have made any difference." The crisis deepened when she suddenly blacked out one sunny spring day, right after picking up paperwork needed for her ID card.

Facing family hostility, Cha and her partner, a high school dropout, were forced to cut ties with their families and survive on their own. When his family visited, their immediate suggestion was adoption. "They had contacted Holt Children's Services about adoption, and my partner's oldest sister mentioned there was a couple at her church who couldn't have kids," Cha recalled. Her firm response was: "Please don't talk like it's someone else's baby."

The young couple endured extreme hardship in their early years as parents. There were days when they starved, were forced to move because they couldn't pay rent, and had to beg other family members for help. However, there were also better days when her partner could find odd jobs, bringing home food and money. By the time their first child reached second grade, the family had achieved some financial stability with steady employment and a place to live.

A new challenge emerged when Cha learned that her child was being bullied by peers for living in public housing. Determined to provide a better environment, the family bought an apartment with a mortgage. Driven by the desire to earn money, Cha secretly signed a lease to open a restaurant without her husband's knowledge. The venture proved short-lived, making money only in the first couple of months before closing after 18 months.

Cha's struggles took a dramatic turn when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in her 30s. What could have been a tragedy became an unexpected twist when doctors realized the diagnosis had been a mistake while she was on the operating table. During her recovery, she also cared for her son, who had been injured in a car accident and remained in a coma for three days. After this brief respite, Cha was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel condition with no known cause.

Despite the overwhelming challenges, Cha maintains a hopeful perspective on her journey. "Looking back, it was truly a long and unbearable time. One day, I suddenly became a mother. I often went hungry and had to endure many humiliations. But not once did I ever think about giving up," she wrote. "I wanted to become an upright and confident adult for my child. Back then, I couldn't really be called an adult, but enough time has passed that I can now call myself one."

Cha's discovery of her passion for writing happened by chance. She was invited to a writing contest by an acquaintance, accepting only because the organizer offered free lunch, and won the top prize with a poem. "I became famous," she wrote. "I had interviews with local media, and I was invited to poetry recitals and writing workshops."

However, her writing journey faced another obstacle when a famous writer at a workshop mocked her for lacking formal education. This humiliation motivated her to pursue higher education. "On my way home, I told myself that I would go to university," she wrote. At her university admission interview, she impressed professors with her passion. When asked why she wanted to study, she responded: "My grades aren't as good as the other students, and yes, I might be the oldest one here. But when it comes to passion, I don't think I fall behind anyone. I left home at 4 a.m. just to make it here. I truly believe that when it comes to learning, what matters most is how much heart you put into it."

Although Cha was admitted to university, her academic journey remained unfinished due to financial constraints and time limitations. Her husband had left his job, and their family's income had dwindled significantly. The book concludes with the death of her mother-in-law, serving as a moment of reflection on her entire life journey.

Cha ends her story with a message of resilience and faith in life's inherent strength. "I can't know when my life will end. But I've decided to believe in the strength of my life. Looking back at the road I've traveled, I've come to realize that life is much wiser and stronger than I am. So, just like I've always done, I'll keep going, trusting in that strength, and live my life with all I've got," she concluded. Her powerful narrative demonstrates how personal struggles can be transformed into compelling literature, inspiring others facing similar challenges.