Editor’s Note: The interview with Sun Sil Yoon has been translated from Korean by the reporter.

Her Xanga.com online journal reads: “A Korean Drama, Starring Caroline Yoon.” A Calvin Klein logo decorates the top of her page, her own addition: Caroline + Korea.

Her friends remember her child-like heart, innocence and her ability to enjoy the simple things in life. Her dream was to teach English as a second language. She would have turned 23 tomorrow.

Caroline Yoon, University alumna who died March 3 in a motorcycle accident, was infamous among her friends for her passion for Korean dramas and Korea. More than a few friends recounted their memories of singing karaoke in her basement.

“There would be nights when her karaoke would be overloaded with song requests all made by Caroline,” said Dan Ko, who graduated from the University in 2005 and met Caroline his freshman year in college. “She loved to sing her heart out.”

There were times they spent almost every day at the pool hall after classes or nights when they and their friends went skating to the Engineering Quad and talked until daybreak, he said.

Caroline’s mother, Sun Sil Yoon, said Caroline would always make cards for holidays such as Mother’s Day “with all her heart” to express her love and appreciation.

“I’m amazed that at her young age, she was able to appreciate her family so deeply,” Sun Sil said. “Recently, I felt like she had been too good to be true. Caroline’s warm heart is alive inside mine. She gives me strength to endure.”

Her mother said Caroline’s friends would tell her how easy it was to talk to Caroline even if they weren’t close to her.

Jean Park, who graduated from the University in 2005, and knew Caroline since they met in homeroom in fifth grade, said Caroline had a random group of friends because she got along with all of them.

Ko said he remembered how excited he was when he heard the news that Caroline accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior at the end of his freshman year.

More than a contagious, addictive personality as described by her friends, Caroline also had a heart for her non-believing family.

“Her love of life and people, showed that Christ was in her and that she was living for more than just this world,” Ko said. “I could tell you countless stories about how she would pray in tears for her non-Christian family and friends.”

Joel Yoon, who was Caroline’s small group leader during her last year in Covenant Fellowship Church, said he will always remember Caroline’s love for the Bible and heart to pray for her family’s salvation.

“It’s beautiful to see this body of believers come together,” Joel said. “Even in her death, Caroline’s heart and convictions lives in her friends – I’m convicted to pray for her family as a tribute to Caroline.”

Her last small group’s Xanga, “The God Saved Charles Chen Fan Club,” is one of many online tributes to Caroline. Pictures of Caroline are posted along with a brief dedication as “Fly to Jesus” by Chris Rice plays in the background.

Her own Xanga shows comments from friends who were initially excited to see her that weekend and friends in disbelief at her death.

“But I’m just so thankful that even through her death, God is using her,” Ko said. “I’m seeing so much fruit in her life – it’s a testimony to the powerful life she lived, because the greater the ripples, the greater the stone, right?”

Lester Cruzat’s comment on Caroline’s Xanga diverges from the rest. While her other friends retain a solemn mood, his is dotted with exclamation points:

“CALOLINE! (sic) What a celebration you must be experiencing up there with JESUS! Can’t wait to join the party! Keep cheering us on to persevere until the BEGINNING of our new life in HIM!! See you soon!!!”

Ko also dedicated an entry in Caroline’s honor, listing various memories of her.

“You’ll be remembered by all of us whose lives you’ve touched with your love,” Ko wrote. “There’s a reason why you were taken away. You weren’t meant to live here much longer. You were made for a different place. See ya soon, Caroline.”

Park said Caroline had her struggles, but her life was a fight to know God more.

“It’s not about how she died,” Park said. “It’s about how she lived.”