Seoul, South Korea

Much of the novel takes place in Seoul, South Korea. Both the unnamed woman and the Greek teacher are Korean citizens who have lived for many years in the capital. Throughout the novel, Han often describes the busyness and tumult of the city. As the unnamed woman walks through Seoul, she notices the “bustling intersection of an eight-lane and a four-lane road… enormous digital billboards” (87) as well as a “road that is like a ruin, with no one about” (89). The city becomes a complex and indescribable mass of humanity; this overwhelming amount of life and action stands in distinct juxtaposition to the woman’s deep loneliness.

Germany

As a young woman, the Greek teacher and his family move to Germany, apparently in order to accommodate his father’s career. The Greek teacher often considers the cultural differences between South Korea and Germany. He remembers several instances...