Daewon Song, known today for his Instagram wizardry and positive vibes, wasn’t always living the sweet life. His journey from a strict upbringing to skateboarding stardom is a fascinating tale of resilience and self-discovery. This isn’t just another skate interview; it’s a deep dive into the formative years of a skateboarding icon, revealing a past far more turbulent than most realize.
Daewon Song, 2017
Daewon’s early life was defined by his “old school” Korean immigrant mother, whose strict rules and harsh discipline were a stark contrast to the freedom he craved. “Growing up I couldn’t even go out and play when I’d hear my friends playing outside,” Daewon recalls. His mother’s approach to parenting was unconventional, to say the least. He faced rigorous academic tests and physical punishment, including beatings with a rose bush, for not achieving perfect grades. He jokes that fights at school were minor compared to what his mother dished out at home. The divorce of his parents became a turning point in his young life, offering an escape from his mother’s rigid control and the chance to finally pursue his passion for skateboarding.
His parents had a different path in mind for him, one focused on artistic pursuits, particularly piano. “They just wanted me to get good at that, but I stopped because I told my mom that the piano teacher was going to break my fingers,” he explains. This anecdote highlights his early resistance to his parent’s aspirations and a growing desire to forge his own path.
Daewon Song in his younger days
Despite his Korean heritage, Daewon laughs off the stereotype of excelling at math or other typical Asian skills. When asked about Asian jokes, he acknowledges the reality of stereotypes but emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between harmless jokes and racism. He also shares a humorous yet insightful perspective on the stereotype of Asian drivers: “We have to realize that a lot of older people migrate from Korea, China, and all of these places and they come here and don’t give a shit about how they drive and they pin it on us who grew up here and we’re stuck with it.”
Despite the hardship, he doesn’t hold a grudge against his mother, acknowledging that her strictness, while extreme, contributed to his resilience. He states, “I appreciate what my mom did for me, but I don’t hope that on anyone.” Daewon recognizes the need for toughness in the world but believes his mother’s methods were excessive.
With his mother no longer in the picture, Daewon was able to focus on skateboarding but also found himself caught up in the wrong crowd. “Skateboarding to my parents was completely irrelevant. It was the same thing as being in a gang or being a criminal in their minds,” he explains. He describes this period as trying to be “a skateboarder trying to be a gang banger.” He even dated a girl with a gangster past. This led to him lowering cars instead of skating for a time, a way to hustle and make ends meet.
Daewon Song performing a trick on a table
He recalls collecting Garbage Pail Kids as a child, and recounts a story about stealing $50 from his dad to buy a new series. This led to a brutal beating with a rose bush by his mother. He emphasizes that he doesn’t collect anything now, not even his old boards. “It’s stupid actually in order for me to look at my boards I have to google it and be like there it is! I can have a photo of it,” he says.
Throughout his career, Daewon has remained true to himself, turning down offers from big companies that didn’t align with his values. He explains, “I’m not trying to water myself down, because I feel like I already have. For myself and my self worth, I would rather not do it.” He values his connection to the core elements of skateboarding, such as boards, wheels, bearings and clothing. While he was open to the Boost Mobile deal, “Free phone service? I was like, ‘Hell yes!’”, he mainly prefers to stick with skate related sponsorships.
Young Daewon Song with friends
He reflects on the people he grew up with, noting that many have faced difficult paths. “30% of the people I grew up with got caught up in some shit. Some of them passed away, some are just not right in the head, and I see them on the street and it’s crazy. I’m just happy I went a different route,” he admits. He notes how skating has become a family, “Skating became like a gang because it’s a group of all these people that have the same passion as you.”
Daewon Song with Kareem Campbell
Ultimately, Daewon is grateful for skateboarding and the opportunities it has provided. “26 years later as a professional skateboarder I’m super thankful for skateboarding and that I got out of all that stuff.” He finds a sense of community and belonging within the skateboarding world, describing it as a “giant worldwide family” with its own unique language and code.
Daewon’s story is a testament to the power of skateboarding as a positive force in one’s life. It shows how a passion can steer you away from a difficult path and into a fulfilling career. This interview provides an intimate look at the man behind the skating wizardry and proves his journey is far more complex and inspiring than what appears on social media.
