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"Presbyopia? No Problem!"... 48-Year-Old So Seung-seop's Golden Challenge

Pyeon Gwanghyeon

Published : Aug 11, 2026 8:09 AM

Video

[Anchor]

The shooting national team's oldest member, So Seung-seop, is heading to the Asian Games for the first time in his life at the age of 48. Although he has developed presbyopia, he cheerfully declared that his skills are currently at their lifetime best and that he will cry tears of joy after winning a gold medal.

Reporter Pyeon Gwanghyeon has the story.

[Reporter]

The protagonist gripping a pistol while carefully aiming at the target is the national team's oldest member, born in 1978, So Seung-seop.

After first picking up a gun in the 5th grade of elementary school, he has guarded the shooting station for 37 years. While he helped retired junior legends such as Jin Jong-oh and Lee Dae-myung grow, this Asian Games marks his very first appearance in a major international multi-sport competition.

[So Seung-seop / National Shooting Team Member: I tend to get quite nervous. I think I used to get pretty nervous in finals, especially international competition finals...]&br;
The driving force behind his improved skills as he approaches 50 is his middle school-aged son, who followed in his father's footsteps to become a shooter.

[So Seung-seop / National Shooting Team Member: I had a big desire to show a more admirable image as a father. Because of that, I ended up concentrating even more...]&br;
As time passed, sad physical changes also found him.

[So Seung-seop / National Shooting Team Member: Presbyopia started to set in over the past two to three years, so my phone is gradually getting further away from my eyes. Now I shoot while wearing shooting glasses...]&br;
Now experiencing the peak of his life, So Seung-seop is full of confidence.

[So Seung-seop / National Shooting Team Member: Having done shooting for 37 years, I am currently hitting a career high, so I think it will be enough (until I turn 60).]&br;
Joining forces with niece-like juniors such as Paris Olympics gold medalists Ban Hyo-jin, Oh Ye-jin, and Yang Ji-in, So Seung-seop is determined to take the lead in ringing out "golden gunshots" as the eldest brother of the shooting team, which is aiming for 5. gold medals.

[So Seung-seop / National Shooting Team Member: Just thinking about that overwhelming emotion makes my eyes water with tears, and if I actually go up there myself, I think I'll cry my eyes out.]

Video Editing: Hwang Ji-young | Design: Hwang Se-young