A Nigerian father's unwavering dedication to raising his son alone has captured the hearts of many online, sparking widespread admiration and emotional reactions. Ben Amadi, an Igbo man from Imo State, documented his son's remarkable journey from childhood to becoming a national athletics star in South Korea, after the boy's mother abandoned the family.
From Abandonment to Stardom: A Father's Promise
Ben Amadi, identified on TikTok as @ben98936, revealed that his Korean wife left the family and eloped to the United States with another man. This left him as the sole parent to their mixed-race son, Nnamdi Joel Jin. Faced with this challenge, Amadi made a conscious decision to be both mother and father, ensuring his son never lacked love or support.
His commitment to documentation became intentional when his son began gaining public attention at a very young age. "...from 5yrs he became a star already, so I have to keep records of him. is about 500k videos and pictures of him with me," Amadi shared, highlighting the extensive archive of memories he compiled.
Nnamdi Joel Jin: The Goat Boy Who Became a Sprinting Prodigy
The son at the center of this story is no ordinary young man. Nnamdi Joel Jin is the former child actor who played the popular "goat boy" in the hit Korean drama Descendants of the Sun. Now 19 years old, he has successfully transitioned from the screen to the track, emerging as one of South Korea's most promising sprinting talents.
His athletic prowess was on full display at the 106th National Championships in October 2025, held at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium. There, he clinched victory in the men's 200 metres final with an impressive time of 20.70 seconds, marking his arrival on the national sports scene.
Online Admiration and a Firm Fatherly Stance
The viral video of their journey prompted various reactions from netizens, particularly Nigerian women. Some, like user @Pheletso, directly appealed to Amadi, asking, "can i please be married by your son sir please." However, the father displayed wisdom and respect for his son's autonomy.
He firmly declined to interfere, stating, "He's just 19. I don't know how that will be possible. That's what we don't interfere in his private life here. Any day he brought home a girl as his wife, I will automatically give my blessings." This response garnered further respect from online audiences.
Amadi also shared poignant messages allegedly from his ex-wife, in which she expressed deep regret for her actions. She described undergoing a major operation and struggling to survive, concluding with, "And forgive me If you can what I've done to you and Joel I got a lot of punishment from God. I am so sorry If I can take it all back I can die for you and Joel."
Despite her expressed remorse, Amadi has moved forward with his life. He revealed that he has remarried a Philippine woman, with whom he has a daughter. "Joel now has a sister," he added, showing the expansion of their family unit.
Nigerians Hail a True Father Figure
The story has triggered an outpouring of emotional responses on social media, with many users praising Amadi's sacrifice and dedication.
User @shiner wrote, "Sir honestly u deserve the best thing in this life ur son should be so proud to have a dad like u... God bless u sir.may u reap this wonderful fruit u sow in good health AMEN."
Another comment read, "Irresponsible fathers left the chat. My dad is amazing as this man ngl God bless you guys with good health," drawing a contrast with absentee fathers.
@corneliuscynthia expressed being overwhelmed: "I'm so emotional.... seeing the story how you care for him alone. You're truly a Father figure and a true son of the soil (Nigeria) May God continue to bless you and your son more."
Even someone with personal knowledge confirmed the story, as @IJELE ISUOFIA commented, "I know this man and his son back in the days I lived in the SK. He has been the one supporting his son. Hope they are ok."
The narrative of Ben Amadi and Nnamdi Joel Jin stands as a powerful testament to parental love, resilience, and the beautiful outcomes of steadfast dedication, resonating deeply with a global audience.
