Final Re-write and Commentary

Commentary

I chose this Korean novel for Re-write. Korea was under Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945. The name of this novel is because it was published in 1922 and 3.1 Independence Movement of Korea started in 1919. In this novel, Inhwa Lee who is the main character is a student studying abroad in Tokyo, Japan. During Inhwa Lee’s stay in Japan as a student, he heard his wife got a fatal disease, so he returned to Korea. However, his wife died and he went to Japan again, agonizing about reality. Korea’s situation at the Japanese occupation period is shown through Inhwa’s perspective, especially Japanese’s attitude to Korean. Also, Inhwa’s inner conflict emerged as a student studying in Japan. So, I’m going to Re-write this novel from Inhwa’s wife’s viewpoint. She got double oppress, one is Japanese colonial rule and the other is male dominated society. She was young and weak woman. I planned the story like this : Her family was killed by Japanese army and she was not welcomed from family-in-law after she married. Therefore, I place emphasis on her wounded heart. Also, I am going to write her feelings and pain. I will write a miserable life of Korean under the Japanese Empire as well. 

Re-write of  <Before the Independence Movement>

“Cough! Cough! Ah, It is already morning…I’m still alive.” I felt the day dawned in my lightless room. There was a hubbub outside. ‘I am sure that something has happened.’ However, my thinking was only momentary. ‘I am a woman who has nothing to do with anything in here. Ha ha…’ When I was 18 years old, Japanese army invaded the center of the Seoul . My family was ruined and my parents died by Japanese army. I was just weak, powerless and poor little girl. I lost my mind for a long time, no, in fact, I had nothing to live for. When I recover my consciousness, everything was over. I had to marry In-hwa Lee who is a son of the Lee family. We were engaged when we were young by our parents. I was young and I didn’t have any choice but to be In-hwa’s wife. Lee family seemed to hate me because our whole family was destroyed. My husband also didn’t love me like his parents. Still, I love him. Not long after we were married, In-hwa decided to study in Tokyo, Japan. I could say nothing. It has been 2 years since he went to Japan. I wondered if In-hwa would remember me. 

“Yuri, It’s time to take the medicine,” said Mira who is my maid, entering my room. 

 “Thank you. What is all that uproar outside? What’s the problem?” I asked Mira. 

“Well…a letter came from In-hwa. He will come back soon,” said Mira. 

“…In-hwa?” Right after Mira left, all kinds of thoughts are running through my head. He is my husband anyway. I can’t hear any news of him. I am no more than a corpse in this house. Not long after I married, I was diagnosed with tuberculosis. People who treated me like a piece of luggage started to treat me like animals. Min-ho Lee, my husband’s father, I couldn’t go hospital because of him. The female members of Lee family are just like animals. Min-ho looked like Japanese who don’t use violence as I see. Doctor who treated me said I’ll get well soon after the treatment to Min-ho, but he never allowed it. 

“Min-ho, Yuri has to stay in the hospital. Then she will recover soon,” said Dr. Kim. “Hospitalization? Huh! Don't be ridiculous. Why bother to use money like that stupid thing. It is enough to treat in home. I don’t need any hospital’s medicine to women of my house. I’ll boil down some medicinal herbs. That’s enough! Thanks anyway, you can go now Dr. Kim,” said Min-ho. 

The wounded heart was so intolerable that I wished I was dead. I was young and he was too harsh to me. Now, I am not a little girl any longer and I don’t care what Min-ho thinks of me. I missed my real family. I deeply resented Japanese army. I thought they ruined everything that I have. I had hope for a while when I married and had my own family. It didn’t matter In-hwa wasn’t concerned about me, he became my husband anyway. He will come back! I can meet him again! I normally threw away the medicine, but I took it easily today. It was easy to go to sleep today of all days. Finally In-hwa is coming today! I got up earlier than normal and looked in a mirror for a long time. I didn’t look at my face reflected in the mirror after I got sick, but I reached for the mirror today. I took out my cosmetics as good as new to show a ruddy complexion to him. The medicine that Mira brought was even sweet. I had little frequent coughing. I felt a lot better today. 

“My lady! You seem to be in a good mood today! I also feel good to see your face. Ha-ha!” 

“You know, he is coming today,” I said, with a smile. Mira went out of my room, looking at my smiling face curiously. ‘Hmm…It's been a long time since we last saw each other…’ I spent a lot of time thinking about how I greet him. As time goes by, it passed afternoon and the night came. I felt kind of anxious. Finally, the sun went down and darkness fell, but In-hwa didn’t return home. Sleep did not come to me till late at night and I was wide awake all night. The next day dawned and I can hear the news of In-hwa. I overheard a part of domestic servants’ conversation.

“Master In-hwa was arrested by Japanese police!” 

“Arrah! The pity of it… What a bad luck!” 

“Yeah…it was no time for coming back!” 

“What do you mean?” 

“You know… all areas are dominated by Japanese army and…now is the worst time!” 

Their conversation gave me a shock. I was stunned by the news. I called Mira and heard the whole story. In-hwa took a ship for Busan from Japan. Scuffles broke out between Japanese and In-hwa in the ship. A Japanese laughed at In-hwa and the Japanese teased In-hwa saying, “Why you study in Japan? You are Korean, so beat it!” The quarrel developed into a scuffle, the news of the fight reached Japanese army who was in the ship. In-hwa was taken to a police station when he arrived at Busan. It is already the next day…He must be tortured by them! They took my family away from me, and this time…my husband! Why this sort of things happened to me. Who is to blame for this? Japan? or the poor my life? ‘No way! They can’t take my husband away from me. Not anymore.’ I called Mira and got ready for going to Busan. I was unable to sit idly by. 

“My lady! Where are you headed on that body! Just stay home!” 

“Mira… I've got to go. Need someone to help me out, please.” 

“Poor my lady… then come with me.” 

“Thank you. Thanks so much Mira.” 

It takes about 6 hours from Seoul to Busan by train. It was a huge challenge for my weak immunity. Nevertheless, I cannot remain indifferent. I didn’t want to lose my family again by ‘Japanese’. They are a shameless bunch. 

“I’m going to go to Busan to meet In-hwa, your son. I’ll be back with him,” I said in front of Min-ho’s room. As usual, he made no response. 

‘The weather turned cold. It is quite like winter now.’ I adjusted my clothes and got a hurry on going to the train station. The station was crowded with various people. I thought many Japanese came to Seoul these days. It was hard to know who is Korean and who is Japanese. I was absorbed in deep thought and what Mira said brought me to attention. 

“My lady Yuri! It’s time to get on a train.” At last the train started from Seoul station. ‘The last thing I need is to lose him. Everything will be okay.’ I tried to calm my nerves. The train was also crowded, and the noisiest place was Japanese group. They seemed to look like Japanese merchants and soldiers. They were making so much noise. 

“Where are you going? If you have any questions, ask me. I’m a merchant so I wandered from place to place. I know every inch of this small land! Ha ha ha!” 

“Oh, this is my first time I’ve been to here. I am going to go Busan. Ha ha,” said one soldier. Then he added, “How about Korean women?” 

“They are noting, if not young! Ha ha ha ha!” 

“Is that so? Ha ha ha” 

Many Korean, including myself, pretended we didn't hear their harassment. I don’t want to hear about that, so I closed my eyes to don’t mind it. ‘Hang in there and be patient… I can do it.’ Mira took my hand as if she read my mind. Infernal hours later, finally, the train arrived at Busan station. A fear for a In-hwa’s safety gave me preternatural strength, and I walked, step by step. I felt a sense of accomplishment when I saw the police station. ‘Well, Here I am. I arrived at last! It’s only a few steps further…’ Just then, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I cannot remember anything from at that time at all. When I opened my eyes, I was lying in the gloomy room and Mira was crying beside me. 

“My lady!!! You woke up!!! You don’t know how I worry you…Phew,” Mira said, “…I’ll bring In-hwa. He brought you home after you fell in a faint.” 

“……” I could not say anything. The last thing that I saw in front of the police station was my husband looking haggard and a Japanese woman hugging my husband. I can’t bear to see him now. I have no idea. I hope this whole thing is just a dream, but In-hwa entered my room. 

“…Yuri. How do you feel?” asked In-hwa. 

“Don’t worry. I’m all right. Have you been doing okay?” I replied. ‘I should bear it, don’t cry.’ 

“…I told you need to go hospital to my father. You better take care of yourself.” 

“I don’t need to go hospital. I am feeling better.” 

“..You are. Yuri….I.. I’m going to Japan again soon,” In-hwa said in a low voice. 

“…Japan? Sure, you..need to finish what you are doing,” I responsed. 

“It’s not because of study….but…” 

“In-hwa, I just want to stay relaxed. Sorry,” I stopped his mouth. He looked at me and went out of my room. “Okay. Take a rest,” he said with a sigh. I knew what he wanted to say, yet I pretended not to. In-hwa also knew well what I thinking. I already knew he don’t love me, but I realized reality after I saw In-hwa and his girl with my own eyes. ‘This is my real life. My family was killed by Japanese army. I am sick woman treated animals, and my husband has Japanese girl…. I don’t see why I exist. It would be better to die than to live so disgracefully.’ I resented this country. I resented that I’m still alive. I refused taking a medicine again. Since then my health had degenerated rapidly. In-hwa didn't even come home after that day. Everyday I feel like I'm in the hot seat, and today morning, In-hwa returned home. Somehow, it was weird he stayed home instead of going out. Suddenly, I heard some sounds, so opened the door and saw a postman standing our house. 

“There’s a letter for you, In-hwa,” said the postman and In-hwa strode toward him. I haven’t seen the way he smiled. I was able to recognize his smiling face. He never once didn’t show that face to me. It might be different to me and her. How feel woman who is loved? By the way, his face was dark after reading the letter and then he ran in violent haste. ‘What is going on?’ I was thinking in a haze. ‘Ah!’ I entered his room and found the letter he received. ‘Well, I just check it. hmm… from Seiko…’ It was the letter from the Japanese woman. I opened the letter with trembling hands. The letter was like this : 

‘Dear. In-hwa 

In-hwa, I’ll go back to Japan before you. I’ve been thinking about us a lot, and I still don’t get it. So, I leave without any notice to you. I won’t say where I am going. When you got this letter, you won’t find me. Take care, good bye. I love you. 

Love Seiko.’ 

In-hwa rushed out of the house after reading this letter. He might go out to search for her. 

“Ha ha ha…” I burst out laughing. I was laughing but tears leaked out by themselves. On that evening, when bed time comes, I was suffering in agonies of pain and I was having difficulty breathing. ‘Ha…my days are numbered.’ Then, there were some voices outside. 

“Hey, In-hwa! What about her grave?” It was Min-ho. 

“Father! She is alive! What are you talking about? That's going too far! Damn! I’m sick of you dad! That’s why I don’t want to return here!!” In-hwa replied, with angry voice. 

“What? In-hwa, you son of a gun! The reason why I asking you is… It’s just needed! Don't give me no sassy back talk! I’ll find a resting place, don’t mind it. Prepare your remarriage. Did you see Mr. J before? It is good for our family if you marry his daughter,” said Min-ho and after his saying, he just entered his room. 

“Father!!!” In-hwa yelled, but Min-ho never looked back. I heard this conversation between Min-ho and In-hwa. I was scared stiff. They were talking about my resting place even I am still alive? What am I for them? What did I wrong to them? I was sobbing into my pillow and In-hwa entered my room. 

“I am…so sorry, Yuri. I have nothing to say to you,” said In-hwa and he added, “On behalf of my father, I apologize for his words.” 

“…Do you love me? or did you love me even a fraction of a moment?” I asked with tears in my eyes. In-hwa didn’t answer me a word and left home without delay. A few months later, we heard that In-hwa had died one month before. Japanese army set the building on fire in the name of reconstruction of Tokyo, Japan and the building was a language school of Korean students. A lot of Korean students were killed in the accident. Min-ho was totally shocked when he heard this bad news of his son. He was so devastated he's taken to his bed. When I heard that news, without even thinking I went outside of the house and I wandered aimlessly around the streets. I fainted and returned to myself a few hours after. When I open my eyes, I saw the crowd of Japanese soldiers. I looked around and found a sharp piece of rock. ‘This is my last chance.’ I ran and lunged towards them, having a sharp piece of rock in my hand! I threw the stone at one of the Japanese soldiers. 

“Urgh!!!!! My eyes!!!!! What the heck!!!” 

“Over there! Cop the bitch!” 

They found me and chased me, and slapped my face. I fell in a swirling heap and started to cough up blood. 

“Are you crazy little bitch?!” a Japanese soldier yelled. 

“I’m not crazy, I knew what I was doing,” I cried straining. 

“Shut up!” said the soldier and kicked my stomach. I was momentarily winded by the blow to my stomach. I couldn’t stop coughing, vomiting blood. 

“Don’t touch her! I think she's coming down with something.” 

“Oh, yuck! Get her out of here!” 

“Yeah, Just shoot it.” 

“I’ll do it.” one soldier pointed a gun at me. 

“Bang!” 

I was shot in my chest. I was not afraid of death. I felt relieved or something. I was losing my consciousness. Lastly, I remembered In-hwa’s smiling face. 

‘I love you with all my heart and soul… and I always will. Good bye my love.’