The daughter of former national soccer player Song Jong-kook and actress Park Yeon-soo, Song Jia (19), recently gained attention after it was revealed that she obtained membership status with the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).
Recently, an online community sparked discussions when news broke that Song Jia passed the LPGA membership qualification last year. Netizens expressed their amazement, noting, "That's incredible," and "In terms of probability, only 1 out of 2,500 promising players makes it to the professional stage."
Song Jia's mother, Park Yeon-soo, shared on social media that, "Until 5th to 6th grade, she attended an entertainment agency, and in 1st grade of middle school, she expressed a desire to become a golfer and joined an academy."
He noted, "It feels like just yesterday when I first registered as a player and participated in my first competition at Solago Country Club, and now, six years later, I can't believe I've become a member at the same location."
He added, "Although I haven't stood out academically, I want to leave behind the time spent crying and worrying. I want to show that even if you start late, you can succeed if you prepare well," conveying an emotional message to his daughter.
To become an LPGA member, one must pass a qualifying round or meet certain membership qualifications and complete specific training and evaluations. Once a member, they can participate in official competitions such as the LPGA Tour and Dream Tour, allowing for a full-fledged professional athlete career.
Meanwhile, Song Jia was born to Song Jong-kook and Park Yeon-soo and rose to prominence by appearing on the MBC variety show "Where Are You Going, Dad?" After her parents' divorce in 2015, she has lived with Park Yeon-soo and her younger brother, Song Ji-wook, and once prepared for a girl group debut but later shifted to pursue a career as a golf prospect, also sharing updates through "My Kid's Private Life."
[Photo] Broadcast capture / SNS
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