Miari, South Korea, 1978

Miari is section of Seoul crowded by people, buildings, markets, vendors, fortune tellers, and the rest. Its inhabitants gossip freely, and privacy is nearly impossible. It is generally an impoverished area. Namin admits to Sunam during the night they meet that she usually lies and says she is from Jeongneung. She also refers to Miari as a place mostly of “misery and destitution” (148).

Kang Family House, South Korea, 1978

Like Miari, the Kang house is crowded: with pots, furniture, food jars etc. It is a succinct three rooms, forcing Kyungmin and Namin to share one of the bedrooms. In the sitting room, which the family refers to as the “parlor,” there sits a large, geometric table that is much too big for the space. It reflects a certain desire to live outside their current means.

Ahn Kiyu's House, South Korea, 1978

In stark contrast to Namin’s house...