午夜剧场

In July 2022, I retired as a professional basketball player. The path I chose for my next challenge was a company called "Heralbony."

My vision is to "create a society where children can walk fairly and easily." In February 2018, I read an article about children who are unable to pursue what they love due to their local environment or family circumstances. It felt like an electric current running through my body—a moment driven by a sense of mission.

The following year, to realize this vision, I changed careers from a major insurance company to a professional athlete. Of course, I had anxieties. However, what came to mind then were the faces of the children I saw in that article. I asked myself, "If I could become a professional athlete but chose not to, would I regret it at the moment of my death?" This self-reflection was the deciding factor.

My days as a professional athlete were fulfilling. In addition to expressing myself through the sport I love, I participated in activities such as clinics for children and career talks at schools. I felt that I was moving step-by-step toward realizing my vision.

However, mid-season, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the season was suspended. Various activities came to a halt, providing an opportunity to reflect on the value of being a professional athlete. Why did I switch careers to become a pro? It was then that I encountered Heralbony.

During the pandemic, I wanted to wear a cool mask, and while looking at social media, a "wonderful art mask" caught my eye. I immediately visited the corporate website and was struck by powerful words: "Unleash Your Exceptionality." This is Heralbony's mission. This became a catalyst for me to join Heralbony after my retirement. Some asked, "Why now, when you can still play?" or "When you're in your prime as a player?" but I had no hesitation. I believed that the path to realizing the mission of "Unleash Your Exceptionality" would also lead to the realization of my own vision. Over the past year, there have been many moments that moved my heart. Above all, I have felt that I am making progress toward my vision.

This July, I chose a new challenge: returning to professional sports. I am now pursuing a dual career with Heralbony and as a pro athlete. There is anxiety, but I am in an environment where I can choose the sport I love. If there are children who cannot even choose what they love, I want to keep taking action for them. First, it starts with me. Unleash your exceptionality.