World War II - some background for the novel:
This war involved virtually every part of the world during the years 1939–1945. The conflict was mainly between the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan) and the Allied forces (France, Great Britain, the United States, the Soviet Union, and, to a lesser extent, China). The war was in many ways a continuation of the disputes left unsettled by World War I. Between 40-50 million people were killed, making World War II the bloodiest and largest war in history.
Korea in World War II:
From 1910-1945, Korea was ruled as part of the Empire of Japan. In 1939, there were shortages of workers in Japan, due to the conscription (or drafting into the army) of Japanese men. Because of this, many Koreans were recruited to work on mainland Japan. Japan began drafting Koreans into the army in 1944. Although some Koreans enlisted by choice, many were coerced, and others enlisted because they needed the money. Japan surrendered to Allied Forces on August 15, 1945, thus ending 35 years of Japanese colonial rule.
Korea was split at the 38th parallel, forming North and South Korea. The “Name Restoration Order” was issued on October 23, 1946, allowing Koreans to restore their names. Many Koreans in Japan chose to keep their Japanese names in order to meet naturalization requirements and/or avoid discrimination.
When My Name Was Keoko by
Sun-hee and her older brother, Tae-yul, live in Korea with their parents. Because Korea is under Japanese occupation, the children study Japanese and speak it at school. Their own language, their flag, the folktales Uncle tells them--even their names--are all part of the Korean culture that is now forbidden. When World War II comes to Korea, Sun-hee is surprised that the Japanese expect their Korean subjects to fight on their side. But the greatest shock of all comes when Tae-yul enlists in the Japanese army in an attempt to protect Uncle, who is suspected of aiding the Korean resistance. Sun-hee stays behind, entrusted with the life-and-death secrets of a family at war.
Watch this video about life during the Japanese occupation of Korea
Watch the first 2 minutes of this video, in which Sang Hui Juhn shares some of her memories of life in Korea during the 1940s.
Write at least 5 bullet notes of important or surprising information that you learn