Kwon Sang-woo’s eldest son, preparing for his college entrance in the United States, has successfully obtained his driver’s license in the U.S. and demonstrated his driving skills for the first time. The milestone was shared in a recent video uploaded to the YouTube channel ‘Mrs. New Jersey Son Tae-young’.
Teen Driver’s First Outing and License Acquisition
The video, titled ‘Buying Shellfish in America? Son Tae-young ♥ Kwon Sang-woo Real Couple Roommate Date Vlog (+BTS Concert)’, captured the moment. Kwon Sang-woo spoke about his son, referring to him by his nickname ‘Rookie’. “Rookie just got his driver’s license,” Kwon shared. “Yesterday, he met up with his friends and went out driving for the very first time. Three friends each drove their own cars and they went to a Port Authority to hang out.” He expressed a sense of pride and perhaps a touch of wistfulness as he observed his son’s growth into this new stage of independence.
Son Tae-young, Kwon’s wife, elaborated on the licensing process. “Rookie finally got his license,” she said. “But apparently, the time spent waiting in line to get the actual license permit took two hours, longer than the driving test itself.” She recounted her son’s experience, noting, “He said the kids were standing in line for two hours. According to Oppa (Kwon Sang-woo), the driving test was actually very easy. It’s different from Korea.” This suggests a perception that the U.S. licensing process might be more straightforward in certain aspects compared to South Korea.
Comparing US and Korean Driving License Processes
An acquaintance present in the video confirmed, “Getting a U.S. driver’s license isn’t that difficult.” Son Tae-young further explained the perceived differences. “They let you wait to park, so you don’t have to park so quickly, and for us, it’s over the moment we hear ‘ding’ (a signal of completion), but here, there seems to be a bit more leeway.” This observation points to potential differences in the practical driving test components, with the U.S. potentially offering a more relaxed or extended testing environment for certain maneuvers.
A Step Towards Adulthood
Kwon Sang-woo reflected on this significant step for his son, stating, “I feel like this is his first step into becoming a formal adult.” Son Tae-young shared an anecdote from her son’s first drive. “Yesterday, when he went to meet his friends, I asked him, ‘Where are you going?’ He replied, ‘To the place I always practiced with Auntie (referring to me).’ I told him, ‘Okay, go and come back.’ Then I received a text message from him.” She chuckled as she revealed the content of the message, sent presumably to ease her worries: “‘Reporting alive’ and ‘Parking complete’.” This showed her son’s thoughtfulness in keeping her informed.
Navigating US Driving Regulations
Kwon Sang-woo also shared some specific details about driving regulations in the U.S. “I heard that in the U.S., you can only drive between 5 AM and 11 PM,” he mentioned. “You can’t drive after around 10 PM.” Son Tae-young added that there are time restrictions until one becomes an adult, although driving is possible with a guardian present. Kwon Sang-woo humorously pointed out that in their household, driving after 11 PM would not be an issue as “parents wouldn’t be around” because Son Tae-young “goes to bed at 10 PM.” This lighthearted remark highlighted their family’s routine and added a touch of humor to the discussion about driving laws.
A Gift for the Young Driver
To support her son’s upcoming move to the U.S. for college, Son Tae-young had gifted him a used car in the first half of the year. The vehicle, a Chevrolet Tahoe, was purchased as a used car from a dealership in the U.S. after being brought over from Korea. Reports indicate that the price for this used Tahoe ranged from the mid-30 million won to the high 40 million won range (approximately $25,000 to $35,000 USD, depending on the exchange rate at the time of purchase).
This series of events marks a significant transition for Kwon Sang-woo and Son Tae-young’s son, symbolizing his growing independence and readiness for the next chapter of his life in the United States. Obtaining a driver’s license and driving for the first time are often seen as key rites of passage into young adulthood.
