ANNUSHA answers “What did you make of Koh Hansu versus...”

Phoebe asked this question about Pachinko:

What did you make of Koh Hansu versus Yoseb? For much of the book, I couldn't quite understand why there was such uncomplicated hatred for Hansu. Most likely, he saved everybody's life, multiple times and in multiple ways. It is only toward the end that the author includes a very vivid example of his brutality, which I imagine was deliberate––maybe to shame anyone for feeling tacitly supportive of him?

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 fr…moreYoseb 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? (less)

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