# data[].attributes.body
When Sunja first arrived to Japan, everyone stared at her due to her wearing a hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) which separated her from the rest of the crowd.
Appearance is a motif throughout the novel since it represent social status, especially in Japan. Sunja with her traditional hanbok made her looked down upon because it clearly indicated that she was Korean. On the other hand, Noa who looked Japanese, was often treated a lot better until people found out he was Korean from his last name.
The hanbok also symbolizes the family's heritage and their identity that can never be washed/ hidden away. By wearing this, it shows that Sunja is proud of her identity and won't let anyone take it away

# data[].attributes.body
Getting good education was like a privilege for Koreans in Japan since there was a major prejudice against them. Luckily Noa had the support of his family and Koh Hansu to continue to strive for education that many Koreans never had the chance to achieve. Even Sunja was only taught the very basics of math to be able to run her family's business and nothing else.

# data[].attributes.body
When Isak was imprisoned, it less income for the household. Because of this, Sunja stepped to sell kimchi at the market square to raise some money to be able to provide her sons the education they deserve.
Kyunghee also had a wish to sell kimchi, but wasn't able to since Yoseb forbid her from working since he wanted he was the "man" of the house.
Kimchi connects the family back to their heritage as it's a traditional food in Korea.

# data[].attributes.body
Hansu gold watch is a symbol of wealth and luxury. The watch is so valuable that such a simple item is one that makes Sunja most valuable possession.

# data[].attributes.body
As the daughter of a fisherman and a resident of Yeongdo, Sunja had always been acquainted with fish, this being the catalyst that resulted in her meeting Hansu, a wealthy fishbroker, when she is sixteen.

# data[].attributes.body
Sushi represents a way of life in the book. For example sushi is really only there for the Japanese people and not really for the Koreans except for Hansu.

# data[].attributes.body
Money is something that we see a lot of in this book when it comes to the position in society. We can see in the beginning of the story when Hansu is a much more well of broker and has a higher position in the society that they live in. Another situation is when Yoseb has to pay the debt collector but doesn't have the money to do so. Sunja has to end up selling her watch that her mother gave her at a pawn shop. It is hard to survive without money in this story.

# data[].attributes.body
Religion plays a big role in this story. Especially religious beliefs. This is especially evident with the Baeks as they sacrifice many things for their religious beliefs. Isak is a minister and is the most devoted. Isak is so greatly devoted that he refuses to leave it even though he might die. Isaks even ends up dying because of his commitment. The devotion to Christianity is later forgotten through the generations.

# data[].attributes.body
Names are a constant motif throughout the novel.
Since Sunja got pregnant, naming the child became an issue because she was unmarried meaning the child wouldn't have a family name and couldn't take that of Sunja either.
In Japan, Koreans are forced to have a Japanese name to try an assimilate them into Japan while wiping away their true identity. Through this, it restricts the Korean culture and freedom to express their identity.
Noa, Mozasu, and Solomon were all given religious names in hopes of what they could all achieve and do, however, it's later seen that they don't live up to the meanings behind their name.

# data[].attributes.body
Besides this game being the title of the book, it's also a business in which both of Sunja's sons (Noa and Mozasu) work at. Because of the structure and how the game is played, it symbolizes chance and frustration that constantly seem faced both all the characters. When Gojo teaches Mozasu about tweaking the machines, it hints at the struggle and yearning of success that many Koreans faced while living in Japan during this time period.

# data[].attributes.body
ヤクザ, this is a translation of "the extreme path" and they are known as members of transnational organized crime syndicates that have originated in Japan. They have their own strict codes of conduct with their own fiefdom nature as well as different ritual practices like cutting off the left pinky. In the story Koh Hansu is the one that is involved with the Yakuza. This caused a character Noa to kill themselves because of the stain of 'Yakuza' blood that was inside of them.

# data[].attributes.body
The yakuza are members of organized crime syndicates in Japan. Hansu is associated with the yakuza, his connections allowing the Baeks to reclaim their property and rebuild their home after the war. The pachinko industy also commonly has relations with the yakuza, meaning both Mozasu and Noa had links to the yakuza, even if minimally and unknowingly. The suspected association with the yakuza due to his father's pachinko business was what ultimately resulted in Soloman being fired from his real estate work at the end of the book.

# data[].attributes.body
While the home is typically a symbol for family and belonging, Sunja is constantly leaving and searching for home. She first leaves her village of Yeongdo to Osaka, yet she is unable to find a home in the vastly different and discriminatory setting of Japan. Later, she moves to the Japanese countryside, a temporary home, until she can move back to Osaka again. She longs to return to Korea, the place where she can actually call a home, but is unable to in the end.

# data[].attributes.body
Heritage is something that is inherited and in this case it would be the heritage of the character Mozasu Baek, the only real son that Baek Isak had. Mozasu is proud of his heritage and as someone that had come from Korea is very resistant on letting anyone make fun of his heritage.

# data[].attributes.body
In Pachinko, class lineage shaped the options of and opportunities for women in society. Women who were upper-class, often referred to as of yangban lineage, were discouraged from working outside the home, whereas women originating from peasant families, such as Sunja, could do so.

# data[].attributes.body
This is the where the small town that Sunja and Yangjin live and work at the boarding house. Yeongdo is a city where the people live a fish farming life. The common income is from the fish industry. Sunja establishes a special connection with the town of Yeongdo.

# data[].attributes.body
This is the more poor part of Osaka. It is where the Korean people in Osaka live mostly. This is where the Baeks live in Japan.

# data[].attributes.body
In the story, Tokyo is viewed as the city to move to for better opportunities. Noa, Hansu, Mozasu, Sunja and Kyunghee move to Tokyo as well to help better their life. Although the perspective of the people in Tokyo is not the best. The citizens their do not treat Koreans very well and they are mean.

# data[].attributes.body
This a place where Noa chooses to move to get away from his family. He is away from his family for a long time.

# data[].attributes.body
In 1910, Korea was annexed into the Japanese Empire. This annexation left many Japanese families in destitution, including Sunja's mother, Yangjin. In this period of colonization, Korean culture and heritage faced constant threat of eradication as Japanese traditions, food, and language became the accepted norm. Koreans were also forced to endure discrimination from Japanese inhabitants in both Korea and Japan, a struggle that Sunja and her family faced while living in Japan.

# data[].attributes.body
Japan entered World War II at the end of 1941. During this time, Sunja and her family struggled to make money from their kimchi business due to the gradually declining supply of ingredients. The Baeks were eventually relocated to the countryside with Hansu's assistance, where they spent the rest of the war living until Japan's surrender in 1945. Korea regained its independence after the end of the war, though the Baeks remained in Japan.

# data[].attributes.body
Following Japan's re-acquisition of sovereignty in 1952 after the events of WWII, Japanese-born Koreans were considered "foreigners" in Japan, even if they had never been in Korea and couldn't speak Korean. In Japanese, this is know as "zainichi." Being of Korean heritage, Solomon was faced with the experience of needing to register at the Yokohama Ward Office as a foreign resident despite being a native citizen to Japan.

# data[].attributes.body
In Hansu's first appearance, he was describes of wearing a clean white western suit and immediately it reminded me of Kaito Kuroba from Detective Conan.
Hansu was the first person Sunja fell in love with but once she heard that he had a family, she couldn't stay with him. Despite this, Hansu always manages to find Sunja and find ways that would help her (such as getting Kim to hire Sunja and Kyunghee when Isak was arrested, providing money for Noa's education).

# data[].attributes.body
“Why isn't love always easy
Is my heart awkward?“

Love was a continuous struggle for every character whether it be between family or in romantic relationship. They all struggle to express the feelings they want to say/ convey to each other due to fear and uncertainty.
When Sunja first fell in love with Hansu, she didn't know the emotion she was feeling and the lyrics of this song relate to that feeling of confusion and curiosity she felt.
When Mozasu meets Yumi for the first time, he also foolishly falls in love and tries his best to grab her attention.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
0:00 / 0:15•Watch full video

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why isn't love always easy? (Romance 101 X JOY) (왜 사랑은 언제나 쉽지 않을까?...

# data[].attributes.body
"We'll be alright, please try again"

This song can be interpreted in different ways where one can be that love is so strong in which it can withstand struggles. For Sunja, as long as she had her family (Noa and Mozasu) she could get through anything. The lyrics here can be related back to when Isak had first been arrested. When the family lost Isak, Sunja still stood strong and decided to find a way to support herself and the family because she knew she had the support and love from her sons as well as Yoseb and Kyunghee. Despite being busy, in her heart, she always prayed for Isak safety and health trying to telepathically tell him the family is alright.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
[STATION] 디어 (d.ear) X 재현 'Try Again' MV

# data[].attributes.body
“From the moment I loved
I knew you were the one
And no matter whatever I do
Ooh, hmm
I will never not think about you”

After Hansu and Sunja got closer to the point where she fell in love, Sunja could not get Hansu out of her head and would constantly think of him and what he was doing or if he was also thinking of her. Even after the truth was revealed, Sunja struggled to get over Hansu.
Hansu was always thinking of Sunja and did everything beneficial to her either it be directly or indirectly because he couldn’t part from her. He realizes that he had never loved anyone as much as he did like to Sunja.
The lyrics could also express the love of Sunja for her sons because even when they went afar (Noa to the university in Tokyo and Mozasu with his own life) she would never forget about them.

# data[].attributes.body
"Everytime I try to walk away, I go back under."

This song is able to be interpreted as more of a romantic song, trying to move on from a partner and always somehow going back to them. This is very relevant to the relationship that Sunja and Hansu have had because there has alway s been a way that Hansu has been able to go back to Sunja. Hansu was able to find Sunja in the first place and was the one that asked to marry her. Later on in their lives they were separated but were brought back together by a single pawn that they needed.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
0:00 / 2:55•Watch full video

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
JAMES X KEVIN - Falling [Official Visualizer]

# data[].attributes.body
“I don’t miss you
Don’t miss me too”

At the end, Sunja learns to move on pass Hansu and no longer yearns for him but rather her heart is now occupied by the love and worry for her sons. Hansu however is still madly in love with Sunja and still tries to win her over though he knows that there is nothing more he can do. She tries her best to push him off and show that she no longer feels the same way for him anymore though she is still appreciative of everything he has done for her and her family.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
0:00 / 2:52•Watch full video

# data[].attributes.body
" Don't forget us, don't forget me, everything about me"

This song is a strong one, speaking about the things that one has done with their partner throughout their lives and speaks of the leaving of each other. This is something that is similar to Sunja and Baek Isak, they have gone through so many things together with each other and have lived so many memories, having children together and Baek sacrificing his life for Noa's care.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
0:00 / 4:13•Watch full video

# data[].attributes.body
"Don't lie, baby, don't lie, His love never felt right, Switch sides and I'm beside you."

This is a song about regretting a decision that you have made for a person that is not really for you. This is the same as what Sunja had done in the beginning of the book, she had fallen in love for the wrong person first, Hansu. They ended up having a child together but Baek Isak was the one that she really loved. He was the one that was always beside her and stayed by her side the whole way even taking care of Noa.

# data[].attributes.body
"No normal man would want to raise another man's child unless he was an angel or a fool..."

Baek Isak was someone like an angel. Someone who was able to bring out the love and appreciation for Sunja for taking care of him and thus cared for her child even when he didn't know her that well. He had made a sacrifice for her and helped her through the process of her life. He is someone that sacrifices for others and tries to make someone feel the best that they can.

# data[].attributes.body
"History has failed us, but no matter."

This is the first line of the book and is able to help the author build up the rest of the story. This line is here to convey to the reader the idea that history/historians do not have everything out there. They miss the things that are small, the tiny stories of people living their day to day lives just like Sunja. How they miss the difficulties that many go through, all those poor and ordinary people.

# data[].attributes.body
"I have nearly died so many times. I know it too well. I am not scared of that. Living, on the other hand... that's the hard part for me."

This is a quote from Baek Isak, there are many times that he has almost died during the story until he did but living was hard, Isak lived for a kid that was not even his, Noa. Isak sacrificed so much for this child even though it was not his. He was willing to marry Sunja and live through this pain of having to take care of a child that was not his. A fools life.

# data[].attributes.body
“A woman’s lot is to suffer.”

Sunja is told that women are fated to suffer, regardless of their individual life choices, and it is a true to a degree. In Pachinko, Sunja and the other female characters face scrutiny from society for their every action, Sunja in particular suffering this scrutiny as a result from her early pregnancy as a teenager and later as a Korean woman in Japan. Women have certain standards and roles they are expected to assume, and if they don’t, they are disapproved of in the eyes of both the Korean and Japanese society. However, in the face of suffering, Sunja also shows resilience and the determination to perserve for her family’s sake.

- Michelle