Pachinko
Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
After last weeks unrelenting tragedies, Chapter Eleven is a relief: Kite flying!
Mozasu running around and wishing he could live in the country forever!
Thank God, honestly, not that its all roses.
Its still 1945, and Yoseb is still in Nagasaki.
In the country, it seems, our characters are able to finally take a breath.
But they sure were skeptical when they first arrived.
Hansu and Kim find Sunja in the chaos, and Sunja introduces Hansu to Kyunghee as a family friend.
Once you get his permission, Hansu warns her, youll be dead.
Kyunghee is burying family heirlooms for safekeeping when he comes to rush her along, saying theres no time.
We see Kyunghee raise her voice at a man for the first time.
Im not stupid, she snaps.
Noa makes sure to bring a book, and Mozasu to bring bamboo spears.
Out the window, Noa spots Pastor Hu, carrying a pile of books.
As they leave their life behind, darkness envelops the sky of Osaka.
Barely visible in the car, Noa watches as a fleet of planes illuminates the horizon with dropping bombs.
In the countryside, by contrast, the light is crisp and clean.
Kyunghee is more worried about having a kitchen, or a bed, both of which are absent.
If that werent concerning enough, theres also the fact that Kim will live there with them.
His tone reminds them that in a house with a man, a woman doesnt have a say.
Speaking privately with Hansu, Sunja sets her boundaries.
Though I am grateful for all you have done, I want nothing more from you, she says.
Accepting his help scares her emotionally, certainly, but mostly because of Noa.
She worries that her son will start figuring things out if he spends time around Hansu.
She is no longer that girl at the cove.
Like her mother, she is now a widow.
She hadnt even had time to consider herself as a widow, to properly mourn her husbands death.
Sunjas life is always changing despite her.
But hes not just good-looking; he is also a spirited, natural companion to the boys.
), a kite, and newspapers for Noa.
When he divulges his plan to his mother, she immediately says no, its too dangerous.
But Kim is sure that the thief is a desperately hungry person, not a dangerous criminal.
With the help of the boys, he can catch the delinquent.
It sounds exciting, she says, by way of explanation.
Mozasu is impatient, but Noa takes the opportunity to learn a bit more about the mysterious Kim.
After that, he left home and started working down at the docks, where he met Hansu.
Just then, they see a group of thieves entering the coop.
Food is scant at the temple where hes staying.
Noa lets him go of course.
Its a new read on Isaks ethos of mercy, but a valuable lesson nonetheless.
But its something else that keeps her up.
Kyunghee has the unmistakable look of someone who issickwith desire.
Moisture weighs down the heavy clouds over the country.
On a walk, Kyunghee sees Kim drinking shoreside, his back to her.
He doesnt turn around until shes gone.
Lightning breaks as if to explain why everyone is all of a suddensweating.
1989
Its not just Kyunghee whose love life is about to take a turn.
On his way out, Solomon stops by Naomis office, formerly his own.
Solomon breaks the news of the landowner to Naomi, and then goes on to patronize her.
Matching his freak, Naomi follows him into the elevator to ask him out.
Still, they have a nice time.
But he promises her that it wont be that way forever.
From here on out, he will only fuck over the people who deserve it.
Naomi cheers to this absolutely insane statement.
Maybe theyre made for each other.
This compliment toward her grandsons outburst leaves Sunja uncomfortable, so the man excuses himself.
In fact, he tells Sunja, No matter the times, life is never easy.
The deal is done.
The land belongs to Abe-san.
I was grateful to know that Mozasu switches languages mid-sentence, as so many of us do.
