[Edaily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] Baekga of Koyote revealed that he is a descendant of independence activist Jin Hee-chang.

On the 15th, Baekga stated on her YouTube channel, “Baekga Unni,” that “Independence activist Gyeong-rim Jin Hee-chang was my maternal great-grandfather.”
She began by saying, “My late mother often told me during her lifetime, ‘Our family is descended from an independence activist. Never let anyone make you feel inferior, no matter where you go; always live with pride in your heart.’”
Bbangga, who had never even shared this fact with the members of Koyote—with whom she has been active for over 20 years—explained, “I was extremely cautious about mentioning my maternal great-grandfather’s name, for fear that I might somehow be riding on the coattails of his achievements.” She added, “My maternal great-grandfather’s dedication as an independence activist was far too great and weighty for me to simply boast about it.”
Baekga also expressed his desire to provide assistance to descendants of independence activists facing financial hardship. “I’ve long heard that the descendants of independence activists struggle financially,” he said. “In the past, I wasn’t in a position or didn’t have the means to help anyone, but now I am able to do so. I brought this up because I want to help any descendants of independence activists who are struggling financially or in need of assistance.”

Baekga spoke about his great-great-grandfather, Mr. Jin Hee-chang, saying, “He was an independence activist who supported the finances and operations of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea while it was based in Shanghai.” He continued, “After the Annexation of Korea in 1910, he went into exile in Shanghai in 1911. He secured a position as supervisor of the Shanghai Tramway Company, which was operated by the British. While working as a supervisor at the transportation company during the day, he also provided secret hideouts, funds, and safe houses for independence fighters fleeing Japanese rule in their homeland and coming to Shanghai. He essentially served as a sort of base camp in Shanghai.”
He added, “At a meeting of the Provisional National Assembly, the Provisional Constitution was adopted, establishing the national name as the Republic of Korea and adopting a democratic republican system. My great-great-grandfather was part of that historic process marking the very beginning of the Republic of Korea.”
Mr. Jin Hee-chang served as a council member in the Shanghai Korean Residents’ Association, a self-governing organization for Korean expatriates, and supported the community’s finances and operations. Baek Ga noted, “My great-grandfather’s name also appears in Volume 2 of Baekbeom Kim Gu’s *Baekbeom Ilji*,” adding, “It states, ‘Close comrades like Jin Hee-chang helped me without holding anything back.’”
He continued, “What breaks my heart is that, after tirelessly supporting the Provisional Government and the independence movement day and night, he passed away in Shanghai in February 1933 without living to see liberation,” adding, “In 1980, the government posthumously awarded him the Order of National Foundation, Medal of Independence.”
In the video description, Baek Ga wrote, “We are able to live as we do today because of the sacrifices of countless independence activists and martyrs who fought for our nation’s independence—some without even leaving their names behind, and others who silently devoted everything they had.”
He continued, “We will never forget their noble intentions and sacrifices. We will remember that the ordinary days we enjoy today were precious moments of light that someone risked their life to reclaim,” adding, “We offer our deepest respect and gratitude to the independence activists and martyrs who gave everything to restore the light of our homeland.”