Kumho Star Looking Forward to Chuseok

“I want to make food for ancestral memorial service and eat a lot of delicious things.”

Professional Women’s Basketball Kumho Life team’s mixed race beauty, guard Maria Brown (22. photo), has been looking forward to Chuseok, one of the biggest festival in Korea.

Born between a Korean mother and American father, it is her first time experiencing Chuseok in Korea since her arrival in Korea at the end of August. She also participated in the national migration, taking the train to visit her mother’s family in Daegu. Her mother, Im Tae-soon, could not come to Korea because of work (operating a convenience store), and asked her daughter to visit Daegu.

During the Chuseok holiday season, she is planning to visit her grandfather, uncle, and other relatives, and attend the ancestor memorial rites. Back in America, instead of celebrating Chuseok, which is not a national holiday in America, the family got together on Thanksgiving Day, at the end of November, to eat rice cakes and pan-fried fish.

“My hopes for Chuseok, which I’ve always been hearing about, are big. I want to bow in the Korean traditional clothes, and play folk games. I also want to make bulgogi, which is my favorite.”

Brown, who graduated from Pace University, recorded an average playing time of 27.6 minutes, 9.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists a game. Brown, who will play in the domestic stage from the beginning of the season next January, is the first mixed race American nationality player, and thanks to her attractive appearance, she is already gaining popularity.

Although born and raised in America, her mother’s strict education has taught her to care for others, rather than be an individualist. This has bought her the praise of her fellow colleagues. When she does the dishes, laundry, or cleans, she even does her colleagues’. Her dream is to become a denizen of Korea, her mother’s country, and join the national team.

“I hope to play a good season without any injuries. And that our team will win.”

To Brown, who says she has already chosen the wish she will make on the full moon, this year’s Chuseok will be a memory she won’t forget.

kjs0123@donga.com