Park, Linda Sue. When my name was Keoko~

In 1940, by Japanese decree, Kim Sun-hee became known as Kaneyama Keoko. It was more than just the “Japanization” of her Korean name by changing the pronunciation. It was an attempt to wipe out her identity as a Korean, by forcing her to have a new Japanese name written with different kanji (Chinese characters). The book cover shows old photographs of a Korean boy and girl dressed in Japanese-style school uniforms from the occupation era. Looking at the cover, potential readers may wonder who those children are and be enticed to read the book.

Linda Sue Park’s When My Name Was Keoko tells the historical fiction tale of the Kim family from 1940 to 1945 during the final years of Korea’s occupation by Japan. Told in the fist person and alternating between 10-year-old daughter, Sun-hee, and 13-year-old son, Tae-yul, the tale portrays the rigid roles family members play in traditional Korean culture based on sex and birth order. Park uses the Korean terms of address such as Hynungnim (older brother used by younger brother) and Opah (older brother used by younger sister) throughout the story to help readers feel the “rank, respect, and affection” in a Korean family.
Sun-hee, as a girl, is kept close to home and her experiences are more internal and emotional. She is a studious child who excels in school and Japanese language and writing. Sun-hee wishes to know about the important topics that the men in her family discuss, but she is excluded. Her uncle is involved in the resistance, but for safety’s sake, even the men, do not discusses the topic in detail.
Warning her uncle of his impending arrest is Sun-hee’s greatest opportunity for heroism in the story. Sun-hee feels a terrible failure and her brother blames her for their uncle going into hiding when it turns out that Sun-hee misunderstood the cryptic message that she used to determine her uncle’s danger. Sun-hee’s childhood Japanese friend warned her of an upcoming raid that somehow related to her uncle. The Japanese language and people are known for their subtlety. As a Japanese speaker, I found Sun-hee’s mistake to be completely believable. At such a dangerous time, erring on the side of caution may have saved her uncle’s life in the long run. The Japanese would likely have found out the uncle sooner or later and that would have meant certain death.
Tae-yul, as a boy, was allowed more freedom of action and has more opportunities for adventures. He does not follow his father’s lead and become a scholar. He sees no value in the lessons of Japanese superiority that he learns in school. Tae-yul is fascinated by flying and drops out of school to help build an airfield. Tae-yul ends up becoming a kamikaze pilot, though I found the rational for that happening implausible for an intelligent and patriotic Korean youth, unless the Japanese really duped him. The convoluted plot has Tae-yul enlisting to avoid being involved in a Japanese plot to capture his uncle. Then he volunteers to be a kamikaze pilot because he overhears some Japanese officers commenting on the cowardice of the Koreans.
The story is told chronologically and builds to a crescendo as Tae-yul enlists and begins the kamikaze training. As August 1945 approaches, readers knowledgeable in history will wonder whether the war will be over before Tae-yul flies his suicide mission. Secretly, Tae-yul plans to purposely miss the American target. All appears lost, yet miraculously Tae-yul returns to his family. A brief flashback is employed to explain how bad weather had prevented his mission.
The main conflicts in When My Name Was Keoko are person against person and person against society. Sun-hee feels conflict as she chafes against societal and familial bonds. The Kims and most of the Korean people were in conflict with the Japanese imperialist rulers.
A major theme in When My Name Was Keoko is identity. What makes a person who they are? The characters delve into what makes them Korean. Like many imperial powers, the Japanese tried to wipe out the Korean culture without offering the people equality in return. In school, the children heard only of the perfect Emperor and superior Japan. The Japanese passed laws that repeatedly and cumulatively took away parts of the Korean people’s identity. The Japanese controlled the education system and taught classes in that language. People were forbidden to speak Korean outside the home. The Japanese forced Koreans to register themselves with new Japanese names. The laws that the Japanese imposed on the Korean people and the taxes extracted grew steadily harsher. The Japanese even ordered the people to destroy all Rose of Sharon trees because it is a symbol of Korea; instead, they forced Koreans to plant cherry trees, a symbol of Japan.
The importance of stories in passing on culture and history is mentioned many times. The children’s uncle, often secretly tells the children Korean stories, folk tales, and jokes. Some stories are family history others are national history. He shows them what the banned Korean flag looks like and tells them the meaning behind the symbols.
Two additional, interrelated and important themes are loyalty and resistance. We see how the Kim family members try to be loyal to each other and to Korea. The Japanese label Uncle a traitor. Not knowing Tae-yul’s motivation, villagers might have labeled him a traitor when he enlisted. Like Uncle, some Koreans joined the resistance and others became chin-il-pa (sellouts who cooperated with the Japanese for perks.)
When My Name Was Keoko is a well-crafted book that should keep readers turning the pages to find out what happens to Sun-hee and Tae-yul. Letters and diary entries are also used effectively to add realism to the story, which deals with ordinary children living in a terrifying and difficult time. At the end of the war, Korea became an independent nation again and Sun-hee was no longer known as Keoko. While there are many stories for American young adults about World War II, few of them take place in Asia. Even less discuss the Japanese occupation of Korea or other Asian countries like China and Taiwan. The spirit of the Koreans was not broken and they are still a proud people today.