# data[].attributes.body
Sewol ferry was originally build in the 1990s in Japan by Hayashikane Shipbuilding. It was later purchased and modified by the South Korean company called Cheonghaejin Marine Co. in 2012. This ferry is classified as a roll-on / roll of (RoRo) passengers and cargo ferry. It can carry upto 804 passangers and has around 33 crew members.

Due to the modification made by the Koreans ferry operator, it increases the ships’s centre of gravity, reducing its stability

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
On April 16, 2014, the MV Sewol ferry capsized near the southwestern shores of South Korea, with 476 passengers on board, including 325 pupils on a school trip. Very few of them survived because they obeyed the order to stay in their cabins while the ferry was sinking. Beyond the human tragedy, with 304 lives lost, the disaster sparked widespread social and political upheaval in South Korea. Seven years on, FRANCE 24's team reports on how the terrible event has changed the country.

The sinking of the Sewol sparked debate on South Korea's culture of obedience and hierarchy and led to the emergence of a new generation of young, politically aware South Koreans, known as the Sewol generation. They are not yet 20 years old, but many of them have entered politics and are keen to shake up what they see as an apathetic political class.

FRANCE 24's team reports from Ansan, a city 30 kilometres south of Seoul, which was home to the young victims and where the pain of the disaster remains particularly raw.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Revisited - South Korea's Sewol ferry disaster, a tragedy that traumatised a generation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
On April 16, 2014, the MV Sewol ferry capsized near the southwestern shores of South Korea, with 476 passengers on board, including 325 pupils on a school trip. Very few of them survived because they obeyed the order to stay in their cabins while the ferry was sinking.

# data[].attributes.body
-Danwon High School a trip to Jeju island as part of an annual school field trip that would last upto 4 days

15/04/2014, at 9pm: The sewol ferry departed from Incheon heading towards Jeju Island. It carried a total of 476 people including 325 students, 14 teachers, 29crew members and 100 or so other passengers. They also carried a mix of cargo: trucks, cars and containers which makes it triple the legal weight limit. At that time there was only one offical captain called Captain Lee Joo-seok

16/04/2014 at 8.20 am, the auto pilot has been switched off and manual steering has been switched on, the ones steering were Third Mate Park Han-gyeol ( only had six months of experience on the job and sewol ferry is the first time steering a boat) and Helsmen Cho Jun-ki (physically opertaed the sterring wheel under the oders of the Third Mate)

8.49 am, Helsmen manually steer the ship 15 degrees to the left (there is a known fact that all sewol members must not steer this particular vessel more than 5 degree in any direction due to the amount of cargo they were bringing adding the fact that all the cargo isnt tied down). Due to this, the ship was rolling (moving from side to side) trying to find balance but ultimately leaned towards the left. This wouldn’t have been a problem if there was ballast water on the ship to help stable as they were supposed to be the centre of gravity but there wasn’t. With this, the boat slowly fills up with seawater and the engine of the boat is cut, the off-duty captain rushes to the port to figure out what was happening at that moment.

# data[].attributes.body
8.52am:the first distress call is made by student Choi Deok-ha where he reported that the incoms made repeated announcements about asking all passengers members to stay in place. At the same time  a crew member calls the Jeju Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) reporting the tilt which they then reported to the Mokpo Coast Guard. Meanwhile, the crew begins abandoning ship including the captain who instead of coordinating rescue efforts, made the decision to be a coward to save himself. Some of the crew members even went far to change into civilian clothes to avoid recognition.

By around 9:30 AM, the first Korea Coast Guard (KCG) patrol boat arrived at the scene, focusing mainly on rescuing people already in the water or on the deck, including the captain and crew. Despite the fact that the ferry was still above water and tilted, no attempt was made to enter the ship and help passengers trapped inside. Between 9:30 and 10:00 AM, helicopters from the Coast Guard and fire department also arrived and airlifted a small number of people from the deck, but again, no coordinated effort was made to evacuate those stuck below. By 11:00 AM, the ferry was almost completely on its side, and passengers inside were texting loved ones that water was flooding in. At 11:18 AM, the ferry made its final distress call before becoming fully submerged around 11:30 AM. It wasn’t until after noon that the South Korean Navy and special forces divers arrived, but by then, it was too late, the ferry had sunk, and the operation shifted from rescue to body recovery. Despite the presence of multiple agencies including the Coast Guard, Navy, Fire Department, and civilian boats: poor coordination, delayed response, and a lack of decisive action meant that more than 300 people died while rescuers were on the scene and the ship was still afloat.

# data[].attributes.body
-Public Mourning & Memorials

The yellow ribbon became a national symbol of remembrance, representing hope for the victims' return and solidarity with grieving families. People tied ribbons on bags, cars, and public spaces.

Social media was flooded with messages of condolence, and online memorials allowed people to pay respects virtually.

-Cultural & Artistic Tributes

Musicians like IU ("A Flower Bookmark") ,Lee Seung-hwan and BTS released tribute songs. Documentaries like "The Truth Shall Not Sink with Sewol" and "Diving Bell" exposed government failures.

Poems, novels, and exhibitions were dedicated to the victims, keeping their memory alive.

# data[].attributes.body
The public viewed the captain as ignorant, cowardice, and a violation of maritime law. To which i agree cause he not only abandoned the ship while passengers were trapped, but he even ordered them to "Stay Put" instead of evacuating, he overloaded and ignored safety protocols, alleged rumors about him being drunk, unprepared in any case of emergency and attempted to cover up his mistake by changing into civilian clothes to not get recognized. His actions were unforgivable and outrages as the students trusted him with their life. The captain’s actions were not just mistakes but it was also a betrayal of duty, making him one of the most hated figures in modern Korean history. His name is still synonymous with selfishness and failure in disasters.

# data[].attributes.body
To understand better🫶

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Sewol Ferry Tragedy - Coward Captain Left 350 Students To Die In A Sinking Ship

# data[].attributes.headline
Statistics & Trails, sentencing and backlash

# data[].attributes.subject
Statistics & Trails, sentencing and backlash

# data[].attributes.body
Statistics

-304 people died including more than half of the high school students, only 172 people survived. Mostly those who survived are those who disobeyed orders and escaped earlier on.

Trails, sentencing and backlash

Captain Lee Joon-seok was sentenced to life in prison for murder through gross negligence.

Other crew members received 5-30 years of sentences

Company executives were charged

President Park Geun-hye was heavily criticized for her slow and disorganized response

This incident also exposed deep flaws in South Korea’s maritime safety standards, regulatory oversight and crisis response systems.

# data[].attributes.body
It’s a Disney animated franchise that began with the 2002 film of the same name. It tells the heartwarming and adventurous story of an unlikely friendship between a lonely Hawaiian girl named Lilo Pelekai and a mischievous, genetically engineered alien named Stitch (Experiment 626).

# data[].attributes.body
⏺️To Tell a Unique Story About Family & Belonging

Unlike many Disney films that focus on princesses or fairy tales, Lilo & Stitch centers on a broken but loving family in a real-world setting (Hawaii), explores the idea that family isn’t just about blood relations

⏺️To Showcase Hawaiian Culture Authentically

The film highlights Hawaiian traditions, language, and values, offering respectful representation rarely seen in mainstream animation.

⏺️To Deliver a Message of Hope & Second Chances

Stitch represents anyone who feels like an outcast and Lilo teaches him (and the audience) that even the "broken" can find love and purpose.

The film subtly addresses the loss, loneliness, and healing,making it resonate with both kids and adults.

# data[].attributes.body
-Lilo Pelekai, A spirited and kind-hearted girl who adopts Stitch.

-Stitch (Experiment 626), A mischievous but lovable alien who becomes part of Lilo’s family.

-Nani Pelekai, Lilo’s older sister, who struggles to keep custody of Lilo while raising her.

-Jumba Jookiba, The scientist who created Stitch; later becomes his ally.

-Pleakley, A quirky alien who works with Jumba and eventually embraces Earth’s culture.

-Cobra Bubbles, A social worker (and former CIA agent) who checks on Lilo and Nani.

# data[].attributes.body
It left a lasting impact on animation and pop culture by blending heartfelt storytelling with authentic Hawaiian representation. The film broke Disney’s traditional mold, using watercolor visuals and sci-fi humor to explore themes of family (ohana), grief, and acceptance, resonating deeply with audiences. Its iconic quote—"ʻOhana means nobody gets left behind"—became a universal mantra for inclusivity, while Stitch grew into one of Disney’s most beloved characters, spawning TV shows, merchandise, and global fandoms. By centering Hawaiian culture without stereotypes and normalizing themes of broken families and redemption, the film paved the way for more diverse and emotionally complex animated stories. Today, its legacy endures through memes, theme park attractions, and an upcoming live-action remake, proving its timeless appeal.

# data[].attributes.body
Major Awards & Nominations:

1.Academy Awards (Oscars)

- Nominated: Best Animated Feature (2003) – One of the first Disney films to compete in this category after its introduction in 2001.

2. Annie Awards (Animation’s highest honor)

-Won:Best Animated Feature

-Won:Best Directing in an Animated Feature (Chris Sanders & Dean DeBlois)

-Won:Best Voice Acting(Daveigh Chase as Lilo)

-Nominated: Best Music, Storyboarding, and Character Design

3. Saturn Awards (Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror films)

- Won:Best Animated Film

4. Golden Globe Awards

-Nominated:Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy

5.Kids’ Choice Awards

-Nominated:Favorite Animated Movie

6.BMI Film & TV Awards

-Won:Best Film Music (Alan Silvestri for the score)

# data[].attributes.body
Lilo & Stitch shows us that hardship isn’t something to escape but instead, it’s what shapes our capacity for love. Lilo’s grief and Stitch’s self-loathing aren’t flaws to fix but they’re the cracks that lets the light in. When Lilo dances alone or Stitch wreaks havoc, we see ourselves: messy, hurting, but still reaching for connection.

The film’s genius lies in how ordinary their struggles feel. Nani’s exhaustion from working multiple jobs, Lilo being bullied for her quirks, Stitch’s fear that he’s “broken” — these aren’t fantastical conflicts. They’re the same battles we fight daily: Am I enough? Will I be abandoned? Can I be loved as I am?

Yet the answer Lilo & Stitch gives isn’t fairy-tale magic—it’s something far more radical. Family isn’t found in perfection, but in showing up with peanut butter sandwiches and off-key Elvis songs. Healing begins when someone says, “I see your chaos, and I choose to stay.”

That’s the quiet revolution of this story. It doesn’t promise happy endings—just the courage to stitch your wounds with love, one messy day at a time. 🌊💙