When My Name Was Keoko

Sun-hee is in many ways the primary character, though she is not the only narrator. Her stories reveal the additional struggles of being under Japanese occupation as a young Korean girl. Because of gender expectations, her character develops differently and she must navigate other sets of complications that the male characters don’t. From the onset, it’s clear that Sun-hee is rebellious, aware, spirited, and inquisitive—defying her expected role as a quiet and subservient daughter. Her toughness and fearlessness are critical elements of the story and are often turning points for other characters, whose outcomes change because of Sun-hee’s involvement (i.e. informing Uncle to flee). The contrast of her character’s boldness increases due to the other Korean and Japanese schoolgirls she is around, who exhibit a fear and lack of control that only amplifies Sun-hee’s strengths:

Now some of the girls had tears rolling down their faces. Others moved their lips in silent prayer. The girl next to me had fallen over in a faint. Oddly, this made me feel stronger. I didn’t want to faint; I wanted to be aware, to see what happened (109).

She will battle for her family, even in the face of threatening danger—a pride and resilience shown regularly throughout the