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Phoebe
Yoseb, on the other hand, deeply angered me throughout the book: the way he controlled his wife, the way he fought with and forbid the women from improving their own destinies. I realize he's meant to be "of his time," but when he wasn't being condescending and stubborn, he was just a straight-up burden on the family. I wonder if this idea of villainy, and who is really hurting versus helping the family, is meant to be complicated by Yoseb's character.
Deby
I think Yoseb is likely just a very true depiction of the typical Korean husband. Yoseb didn't want to be seen as a charity case, even though he couldn't provide for his family. It was more shameful to accept financial help than to not accept it because it showed a weakness. Women are treated this way in many, many cultures. I think it's just how it was. Doesn't make it right, but it is a sign of the times.
Angela
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Jen
Personally, I also prefer Koh Hansu than Yoseb. Hansu has done a lot of things for Sunja and her family. But I think that we have to consider the culture where the story was told. It was a time wherein family honour is the most important. Hansu has tainted Sunja's family and for them, no amount of help from Hansu can undo it.
Clara
I also prefer Hansu over Yoseb, and I have to agree that Yoseb annoyed me a lot throughout the novel with his stubbornness and strong conservative, patriarchal way.
However, I think the hatred towards Hansu is based heavily on the fact that he is related to yakuza (Japanese word for mafia).
The word yakuza follows with a very strong connotation for everything bad - brutal, shameless, dirty, filthy, inhuman, violent group of people who'd do anything for money and power with no moral sense.
Yakuza during the war time heavily exploited Koreans, the weakest minority (and probably Japanese too). There is a strong historically based hatred towards Japanese, and yakuza, but I think the feeling can get even worse towards Korean yakuza - mix of hatred and resentment stemming from feeling betrayed as well (because, despite coming from the same country, they are exploiting their own people).
Sunja's family has a relatively high moral standard, especially considering the fact that they went through such a of brutal time when morality can be easily thrown away for survival.
In contrary, Hansu has built his career and reputation starting from helping his father-in-law's money lending business (brutal to any poor people who needed to borrow money), and moving onto being part of yakuza. As a poor boy from Jeju, with no family support, it is obvious that he probably had to take every possible opportunity and immoral activities to build his wealth and power in Japan.
Despite the fact that Hansu helped out Sunja's family immensely, it would have been hard to accept his support with pure gratitude knowing where his status came from.
However, I think the hatred towards Hansu is based heavily on the fact that he is related to yakuza (Japanese word for mafia).
The word yakuza follows with a very strong connotation for everything bad - brutal, shameless, dirty, filthy, inhuman, violent group of people who'd do anything for money and power with no moral sense.
Yakuza during the war time heavily exploited Koreans, the weakest minority (and probably Japanese too). There is a strong historically based hatred towards Japanese, and yakuza, but I think the feeling can get even worse towards Korean yakuza - mix of hatred and resentment stemming from feeling betrayed as well (because, despite coming from the same country, they are exploiting their own people).
Sunja's family has a relatively high moral standard, especially considering the fact that they went through such a of brutal time when morality can be easily thrown away for survival.
In contrary, Hansu has built his career and reputation starting from helping his father-in-law's money lending business (brutal to any poor people who needed to borrow money), and moving onto being part of yakuza. As a poor boy from Jeju, with no family support, it is obvious that he probably had to take every possible opportunity and immoral activities to build his wealth and power in Japan.
Despite the fact that Hansu helped out Sunja's family immensely, it would have been hard to accept his support with pure gratitude knowing where his status came from.
ANNUSHA
Yoseb tries to protect his family members. However, I felt that he is over-controlling especially towards his Kyunghee and Sunja. He restricts them from working although he knows that there is no other way to improve their financial burden and he keeps warning Sunja not to get involved with Hansu. He also invites his brother to Japan although he knows that they do not have a promising future there. After the fire incident, he became a burden for his family as his behavior worsens. In my opinion, Yoseb tries to protect his family, but the approach is wrong.
While Yoseb protects his family, Hansu protects his love. Although his help is constantly rejected by Sunja, he never fails to covertly protect her and Noa. For me, he shows responsibility towards Sunja especially when she informs about her pregnancy and he promises to support her financially. At the end, when his wife dies, he even asks Sunja to marry him. Hansu is also responsible towards Noa and wants to see him perform well in his academics. He supports Noa financially since he could afford it. I felt sad when Noa quits university and walks away from his family when he knows that Hansu is his father. Hansu is always calm, patient and handles things carefully. He never behaves violently although Sunja is always cold towards him. However, the vivid example of his brutality shows his 'yakuza' side and it could be a way of him reacting to the frustrations which he faces.
I prefer Hansu as compared to Yoseb. Hansu's character is far more impressive. I agree with Phoebe's question; why there is hatred for this character?
While Yoseb protects his family, Hansu protects his love. Although his help is constantly rejected by Sunja, he never fails to covertly protect her and Noa. For me, he shows responsibility towards Sunja especially when she informs about her pregnancy and he promises to support her financially. At the end, when his wife dies, he even asks Sunja to marry him. Hansu is also responsible towards Noa and wants to see him perform well in his academics. He supports Noa financially since he could afford it. I felt sad when Noa quits university and walks away from his family when he knows that Hansu is his father. Hansu is always calm, patient and handles things carefully. He never behaves violently although Sunja is always cold towards him. However, the vivid example of his brutality shows his 'yakuza' side and it could be a way of him reacting to the frustrations which he faces.
I prefer Hansu as compared to Yoseb. Hansu's character is far more impressive. I agree with Phoebe's question; why there is hatred for this character?
Jenny Taylor
Agree with Phoebe's assessment of Yoseb completely.
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