As a bilingual viewer who has experienced the beauty and complexity of multiple languages, I must say that I truly appreciate the show’s creative approach to closed captions. The seamless switch between languages, just like in everyday conversations, adds an authentic touch that enriches the viewing experience.
Following the distressing events of last week, “Chapter Eleven” offers a breath of fresh air: Kite flying, chicken thieving, yakitori dates, and the lively Kyunghee! Mozasu running amok, dreaming of a rural lifestyle forever! It’s a relief indeed, although it’s important to remember that it’s still 1945, with Yoseb still residing in Nagasaki. The appearance of a potential romantic interest in Naomi brings some optimism to Solomon’s deteriorating life, but he seems to be teetering on the brink, with little time left financially and an unsettling feeling that he might make a decision from which there is no turning back. Hansu’s reappearance in Sunja’s life also causes apprehension; despite his gentle demeanor and reasonableness now, his presence near the children and Sunja stirs a subtle undercurrent of unease beneath their peaceful rural existence.
Cinematographer Ante Cheng’s camera is captivated by the nation’s light – the extensive, vivid brightness of day and the near-complete darkness of night. The gentle, blue-tinted shadows during Kim Changho’s prolonged conversation about his past, while on a stakeout with Noa, Mozasu, and Kyunghee, gives a cozy, cabin-like ambiance, suggesting the intimacy that arises from time spent in tranquility and communion with nature. In this countryside setting, it appears our characters can finally relax. However, they were initially hesitant when they first arrived.
1945
The narrative resumes immediately after Chapter Ten, with the alarming cacophony of air raid sirens dominating the scene. Sunja, Kyunghee, and the boys are making their way home, each step filled with fear that one might get lost. As the chaos unfolds, Hansu and Kim locate Sunja and present themselves as “family acquaintances.” Their proposition is to escort them to safety in the countryside, but the cautious Kyunghee refuses to leave without her husband’s consent. Hansu forewarns her that seeking his approval would be fatal. Sunja urges trust in these men, and Kim demonstrates his loyalty by expediting their departure. When Kyunghee is busy hiding family treasures for safekeeping, Kim rushes her, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. For the first time, Kyunghee firmly stands up to a man, asserting “I’m not foolish!” Recognizing she cannot be deterred from this task, Kim kneels to assist her in hiding the remaining heirlooms. This minor act symbolizes a shift in the gender dynamics of Kyunghee’s life and may foreshadow further disruptions to come.
In the interim, Sunja and the boys are gathering their own possessions. Noa carefully selects a book, while Mozasu grabs some bamboo spears. Despite the differing situations, Sunja’s method of bundling items recalls when her mother prepared to depart from Yeongdo; it is the actions of a family that, in order to endure, must frequently relocate. Inside the vehicle, with Kim seated next to him and Hansu at the wheel, Sunja is reminded of Jiyun, the young Korean woman who briefly collaborated with her on rice wine fermentation. Through the window, Noa spots Pastor Hu carrying a stack of books. Mozasu observes as the crowd outside starts pounding on the car windows, pleading to be let in. As they leave their old life behind, the sky above Osaka becomes shrouded in darkness. Just barely discernible within the vehicle, Noa witnesses a flotilla of planes lighting up the horizon with explosions.
In the rural areas, the light appears sharp and pure, filling the car and enveloping the family in a hopeful light that hasn’t been felt since Sunja and Hansu shared secret kisses at the cove in Busan. However, the small house where Hansu and Kim are staying seems like it could be a before-and-after scene from a home renovation show, not that shiplap would improve anything here. Kyunghee is particularly concerned about the lack of essentials such as a kitchen or bed. To make matters worse, Kim will reside with them, which is an impossibility since he’s a stranger to both women and Yoseb isn’t even aware of their presence. Sunja and Kyunghee attempt to argue that they are accustomed to rural life and can take care of themselves, but Hansu dismisses their claims, reminding them that in a household with a man, women have no say. Repeatedly, Sunja and Kyunghee find themselves powerless to decide, burdened by men who don’t hesitate to exert control over them.
In a private chat with Hansu, Sunja establishes some limits, expressing, “Although I appreciate everything you’ve done, I don’t desire anything more from you.” She finds his aid intimidating – emotionally, yes, but primarily because of Noa. She frets that their time together might lead Noa to uncover the truth. When Hansu ponders aloud if she suspects him of endangering his son, she clarifies they are still strangers. She is no longer the young woman at the cove; she’s a widow now, much like her mother was. It struck her during this conversation that it had barely been a few days since Isak passed away, and she hadn’t yet processed her widowhood or fully mourned his death. Sunja’s life continues to evolve around her without her control.
Time passes, thankfully, and come June, Sunja and Kyunghee labor alongside other individuals under the supervision of a foreman and Mr. Kim. When their Japanese colleagues ridicule them cruelly, Mr. Kim steps in to defend them. It’s evident that Kyunghee has taken notice of how well Mr. Kim looks in this country’s light and his casual attire. However, it’s not just his good looks; he is also a lively, fitting friend to the boys. Meanwhile, Noa and Mozasu are playfully pursuing a chicken – with Mozasu hoping the bird will escape – when Mr. Kim intervenes, swiftly capturing her. Overjoyed, Mozasu declares, “This is far more enjoyable than school!” Feeling thankful for “Koh-san” and the new comforts of farm life.
During war times when evil seemed rampant, Hansu unexpectedly appeared at the farm with gifts for the boys – candy, a radio, a kite, and newspapers for Noa. He encouraged Noa to focus on the meaning of words as much as the letters while reading, which made Sunja worry. Despite this, Hansu’s easy interaction with the boys was heartwarming. Even though they were in the midst of war, the boys could enjoy a little happiness. Kyunghee and even Sunja laughed with joy as Hansu taught the boys to fly the kite, but their laughter didn’t last long when planes flew overhead. Seeing her worried expression, Kim tried to comfort Kyunghee by assuring her that the planes were headed away from Nagasaki.
As I meticulously stitch together a bundle of freshly sewn clothes for my husband later that day, Kyunghee gently voices her concern, reminding Sunja that we can never truly know the future. “I can’t guarantee his safety,” she says with a heavy heart. While I have always been steadfast in my devotion, there is a certain dreamy quality to me that contrasts with Sunja’s grounded practicality. It’s intriguing to see her express what often remains unspoken: In essence, her actions now mirror the role Sunja once played when she brought food and clothing for Isak in prison. The truth is, we can never be certain if these small comforts even reach those incarcerated or make a difference. Yet, it’s all we have to keep pushing forward.
In the Baek family, it requires daily bravery to be a member, and “Chapter Eleven” delves into various facets of this courage in unique situations. This includes the courage to embrace ambiguity, trust someone who has caused harm, and persevere when the future seems unimaginable. However, there’s also Mozasu’s courage shown when he vows to apprehend the thief stealing eggs from the coop, despite the farm’s foreman’s warnings. When he shares his strategy with his mother, she refuses, deeming it too risky. Nevertheless, Kim believes the culprit is not a menacing figure but someone in need, perhaps a hungry person. With the assistance of the boys, he intends to catch the offender. This leaves Sunja perplexed as Kyunghee inquires if she can accompany Kim and the boys on their surveillance operation. Essentially, it seems like Kyunghee is expressing enthusiasm for the endeavor much like I did when I told high school boys that yes, absolutely, I would enjoy spending hours watching them play video games such as FIFA.
That evening, the quartet lounged by their chicken coop, each adorned with a white bandanna and keeping watch for the thief’s return. Impatient was Mozasu, yet Noa seized this moment to inquire about Kim’s enigmatic past. In response to Noa’s query regarding his encounter with Hansu, Kim shared his story of loss and resilience. His father had lost their land during the Japanese occupation, which led to his suicide on the seized fields. Subsequently, Kim left home and found work at the docks, where he befriended Hansu. As they observed a group of thieves approaching the coop, Kim and the boys moved to confront them, but most managed to flee. Only one thief, who used to torment Noa in Osaka’s schools, was captured. Scarcity plagued the temple where he resided, so food was a rare commodity. Kim presented Noa with a difficult decision: let the boy go with a warning or inform the temple teachers, who would undoubtedly punish him. Showing mercy as his father had taught him, Noa opted to spare the bully. This act of compassion earned praise from Kim, who noted, “It’s better for an enemy to owe you than the other way around.” This fresh perspective on Isak’s teachings of kindness served as a valuable lesson for all involved.
Kyunghee remarks to Mozasu that it’s surprising if they can sleep tonight, given how thrilling the stakeout was. However, there’s something else preventing her from resting. Kyunghee exhibits a distinct expression of longing. The air is heavy with moisture as clouds hang low over the land. On a stroll, Kyunghee spots Kim drinking by the shore, his back toward her. He doesn’t turn until she’s out of sight. Suddenly, there’s a flash of lightning, seeming to suggest why everyone is suddenly feeling hot and uncomfortable.
1989
Not only is Kyunghee’s love life shifting, but Solomon’s is as well. In Tokyo, Solomon visits Shiffley’s to discuss the landowner’s decision to sell with Tom. Meanwhile, Naomi, across the office and later in the elevator, gives Solomon hints of her interest. It’s challenging to sway Tom about the old lady’s change of mind, given she had previously backed out. Solomon, however, uses Tom’s insecurities as leverage, alluring him with the prospect of the deal’s earnings allowing him to leave the firm and return to the United States, closer to his children. The bag from the deal with Abe and Colton could provide Tom the means to do just that.
As Solomon leaves, he drops by Naomi’s old office. They engage in a playful banter that borders on animosity, which seems to be characteristic of Solomon’s romantic interactions, as suggested by Hana’s account. Solomon informs Naomi about the new landowner and then implies she won’t run the firm, despite her qualifications. He acknowledges her superiority among men but points out that she is still a woman in a suit. Intrigued, Naomi accompanies him to an elevator and proposes a date. They dine at a yakitori stand, Solomon’s choice, which doesn’t particularly impress Naomi but suits his current budget. Despite their differences, they enjoy each other’s company. Solomon is candid about his struggles: If this doesn’t appeal to her, there will be no ill feelings. But he assures her that things won’t always be this way. He vows to only mistreat those who deserve it. Naomi raises a toast to this extraordinary declaration, hinting at a possible compatibility between them.
In Chapter Eleven, an older individual encounters another person, yet it’s uncertain if they were flirting or simply being friendly. A gentleman dressed in suspenders and a bow tie confronts Sunja at the grocery store to share his observation of Solomon’s outburst from Chapter Nine. He expresses agreement with Solomon that the man behind the counter was out of order, and he commends Solomon for speaking up – another instance of that praiseworthy quality. This recognition of her grandson’s boldness makes Sunja feel uneasy, causing the man to withdraw. However, when she later observes him feeding the birds in the park on her way home, she decides to join him.
At a store, the man conversed with her near the egg containers, and their interaction was reminiscent of her past on the farm, where she interacted with animals and nature. Feeding pigeons added a whimsical touch to this scene. She expressed apologies for Solomon’s behavior again, acknowledging his struggles despite her hopes for an easier life for him. In contrast to his youth, she recalled standing in food lines and practicing air-raid drills during challenging times. The older man was the first in the series to empathize with Solomon, stating that although he didn’t experience war, poverty, or hardship directly, life is still difficult for him. He concluded by saying, “Life is never easy, no matter the era.
Life might not always be simple, but Solomon aspires, at least, to make it more prosperous and fair, thereby making it more endurable. As he watches the Korean landowner depart from the rear of a vehicle, Tom calls him to say they’re all invested now. The transaction is finalized. The land now belongs to Abe-san.
Pinball Thoughts
Despite not being fluent in Japanese or Korean, I’m bilingual, and I appreciate the creative touch in the subtitles of the show. It was reassuring to notice that the character Mozasu occasionally switches languages within a sentence, just like many of us do in daily life.
At the start of the episode, discovering Kyunghee hiding her treasures, brought to mind the bones hidden beneath a Korean landowner’s property. I find this subtle linkage between the past and future more appealing compared to the forced transition from pigeons in the park to birds soaring over the countryside, for instance.
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2024-09-06 23:55