In a small town in South Korea, a woman’s refusal to give up made her a global icon. Cha Sa-Soon, a 69-year-old from Sinchon, South Korea, set a world record by finally passing her driving test on the 960th attempt.
That’s not a typo — 960 attempts. Over 14 years, she tried again and again. And on a seemingly ordinary day, everything changed. She passed.
Her story is a mix of resilience, controversy, and pure human spirit — the kind that forces us to ask: how far would we go to achieve our goals?
The Start of a Long Road
Cha Sa-Soon first began attempting the written portion of South Korea’s driving test in 2005. While most applicants pass within one or two tries, Cha kept failing — not the road portion, but the theoretical written exam.
She took the test almost every weekday, sometimes multiple times in a week, accumulating over 950 attempts just to pass the written portion.
The Cost of Determination
Her journey wasn’t just mentally exhausting — it was financially draining.
- Estimated total spent: over $13,000 USD
- Number of test attempts: 960
- Years committed: 14
Every time she failed, she paid again. Every time she walked into that testing center, she risked disappointment. And every time, she came back.
Support from Instructors and Community
Throughout her journey, Cha developed strong bonds with instructors and staff.
- Driving school teachers often encouraged her to keep going.
- Locals admired her tenacity and began rooting for her success.
- The test center staff became familiar with her face and spirit.
When she passed, they celebrated like they had passed too.
The Moment She Passed
After finally passing the written test, she had to move on to the practical driving test, which she failed dozens more times. But finally, after years of failure, on her 960th attempt, she completed both sections and was issued a driver’s license.
The test center staff cheered. Instructors hugged her. She smiled for the cameras.
Cha had become a national sensation.
Media Attention and Global Fame
Her story was picked up by major outlets:
- CNN called her “the world’s most persistent driver.”
- The BBC featured her in human-interest specials.
- She became a guest on Korean talk shows, receiving standing ovations.
Even Hyundai, the South Korean carmaker, gave her a brand-new car in recognition of her perseverance.While many hailed her determination as inspirational, others raised concerns:
- “What does it say about road safety that someone who failed 959 times can still earn a license?”
- “Was this persistence… or proof she shouldn’t drive at all?”
But supporters pushed back:
- She never gave up.
- She never hurt anyone.
- She did what most would have quit 100 times over.
Why She Never Quit
Cha explained her motivation in an interview:
Her humble dream kept her focused. It wasn’t about fame. It wasn’t about pride. It was about freedom.
Cultural Perspective: The Korean Work Ethic
South Korea is known for its high-pressure education system, intense work culture, and deep-rooted values of persistence and resilience.
Cha Sa-Soon’s story fits that mold — but also expands it. She showed that even older adults can chase goals in a society that often celebrates youth.
She became a symbol of “ajeossi and ajumma strength” — the term for older Korean men and women who endure and work hard in the background of society.
Her Story in Pop Culture and Education
Cha’s journey has inspired:
- School lessons on grit and perseverance
- Documentaries and YouTube features
- Motivational posters and memes that celebrate her spirit
Her name has become shorthand in Korea for “you can do it, no matter how long it takes.”
Psychological Insights: What Drives Someone to Try 960 Times?
Psychologists studying her case have drawn conclusions about:
- Goal-oriented resilience vs. stubborn fixation
- The human ability to absorb failure without losing motivation
- Intrinsic vs. extrinsic reward systems
Cha Sa-Soon may not have known the psychology — but she lived it.
Where She Is Now
Today, Cha still lives in her hometown. She does local interviews, occasionally receives fan mail, and continues to use the car gifted to her.
And yes — she drives herself around.
Conclusion
Cha Sa-Soon failed 959 times. She could have quit at 100. Or 500. Or 700. But she didn’t.
And because of that, she didn’t just get a license.
She got the world’s respect.
Her journey reminds us that success isn’t about how fast you get there — it’s about whether you keep going when no one’s clapping.
She is the definition of grit.
And in a world full of instant gratification, that’s a story worth celebrating.
