Mr. Moon Ho-sang, 44
Taxi Driver from Kunsan
Have you ever had accident?
No, never in my 15 years of taxi driving. Once a little accident but it was not my fault. Somebody hit my car. I have a certification to show my clean driving record.What are the good points of taxi driving?
Many! My hobbies are reading books and playing tennis. Because I drive a taxi I can park anywhere, take a break, and read a book while waiting for customers. Every year, regularly, I read about 160 books. I play tennis for one and a half hours after finishing work.While you’re working you can do what you like?
Right. Because I own my own car. I don’t work for a company. We have two kinds of taxi drivers in Korea. Because I have a good record I can drive my own taxi. It’s a kind of reward. I’ve had my own for ten years. Others have to drive for a taxi company.Do you enjoy your job?
I really enjoy it because I can have my own time. Also there’s a nearby military base. I get a lot of American customers so I practice English with them.How many hours a week do you work, average?
Three days, then one day off, three days, then one day off, and each day 12 hours. I decided my schedule.Any bad points about being a taxi driver?
I never have a problem with my job, but if customers are drunk, and throw up, or sleep in the car, that’s a problem.In the car?
Yes! I have to clean it myself. Six or seven years before it was worse, but Korean drinking habits have changed, perhaps, so these days it’s very rare to have customers throwing up.Do you ever refuse a drunken customer?
I never refuse because it can be dangerous for the drunk, especially in the winter. Some drivers refuse but I never do.Do you ever get a backache or other physical problem?
I work out regularly, but other drivers have problems. From 9-3 I play tennis on off days, then from 4-6:30 I play soccer. Since I was very young I’ve exercised regularly. I only sleep 4-6 hours a night and don’t get tired.Do you ever take a week long holiday during a year?
Every year I travel one night two days with my high school graduating class members. In summer we have a special group which consists of men with daughters, ex-classmates. We go on holiday together, two nights and three days. We play soccer together or go to the beach, or to the forest.Never overseas?
Not with these members. I’m a Christian. I went with a youth group to Vietnam on a Christian religious activity trip. I couldn’t understand the guide on that trip and decided to start studying English.How do or did you study?
First just with a tape. After that I met customers to speak English with for greetings—not deep relationships. After that my daughters started studying English in middle school—we help each other and practice together.How much money do you make?
Before it was better, before the economic collapse. Now 1,600,000 won (168,000 yen/$1,500) per month. My wife is a kindergarten teacher.Does religion influence your life?
I feel very Christian. I believe God will make a way so I have a healthy mind. I always give thanks to God.Why did you start taxi driving to begin with?
I really love working out and this job allows me to do that. Also, I have tournaments that I can enter. It’s a big advantage to earn money while driving around town. I enjoy driving. It’s much better than sleeping!What’s your dream for the future?
My dream is to travel overseas with church members. I would like to go to the US, France, Italy, Europe, Australia… Many countries.the end