Summary

In Chapter 15, Sunja and Isak are settling into life in Osaka. Kyunghee and Yoseb believe that Sunja was impregnated through “no fault of her own” and that Isak saved her accordingly. Kyunghee dreams of opening her own kimchi and pickle stand near the train station, but Yoseb wanted to come home to a rested wife who had already cooked dinner. Kyunghee is beautiful, and is looked at by many men, including the owners of a butcher shop. The Japanese owners are kind to Sunja and Kyunghee, giving them an extra bit of meat. Money is tight in the household, and Sunja will not let Isak and Sunja contribute to expenses.

Chapter 16 brings unwelcome visitors to the Baeks’ door. When Yoseb is away, two men come to the household to tell Kyunghee that her husband is late on his payments. The loan...