Hansu's gold watch

Hansu gold watch is a symbol of wealth and luxury. When Hansu gives the watch to Sunja, it becomes one of her only high-end possessions, one she can use as leverage. As such, it also serves as a marker of Sunja's lack of wealth; Yoseb does not believe Sunja could have acquired the watch without stealing it.

Kimchi

Kimchi represents national pride and social mobility. Both Kyunghee and Sunja desire to make and sell kimchi, a distinctively Korean food. However, the food does smell strongly, so Noa is embarrassed when he smells of the stuff when he goes to school. Yet even after Hansu no longer pays the women to make kimchi, their kimchi (and candy) business give them the money to support themselves independently.

Japanese biscuits

Japanese biscuits function in the same way that opportunity does in the novel: they are available, and...