A biography for Yi So-Yeonhasn’t been written yet.
“If you ask me what's harder, being famous or flying to space, I'd say fame is much harder.”
“They gave me 18 experiments to complete in my 10 days in the ISS. That's a lot. Everyone told me I didn't have to complete all of them, that it wasn't expected of me. But I knew everyone was watching me, so I gave up meals and sleep and completed all 18 experiments. It's a very Korean thing to do.”
“On Earth, men are seen as superior because of their physical strength, but it means nothing in space, where there is no gravity.”
“Only in space did I realize how lucky I am to be Korean. Only in Korea could I have gone to space before turning 30 years old.”
“It's not uncommon in South Korea for a building to not have a women's bathroom.”
“There is something addictive in space that makes you want to go back - like the mountain climbers who want to go back to the Himalayas although their fingers were cut by frostbite.”
“I cannot believe I became some kind of hero. I'm just a common Korean woman.”
“I will try and make peace between North and South Korea.”
“I will do my best to support science in Korea and space programs in Korea.”
“I've decided to study the MBA, as it's crucial to have comprehensive knowledge of business administration and management in running science technology institutes as well as making science-related policies.”
“I feel bad that I'm the one always blamed for the failure of the space business - even though there are problems with government policy toward the space business.”
“I felt so free in space, flying around and unrestrained by any social relationships, but my life since has changed a lot. Now I am extra-careful about what I say and do because everyone recognises me.”
“California is an easy place to be an Asian woman engineer.”