Can’t I Go Instead by Lee Geum-yi
“The landscape, with peach and apricot blossoms blooming in cloud-like clusters, was like a beautiful painting, but the spring famine had left the commoners with a hunger that could not be satisfied.”
In this intricate web of historical fiction, few threads are as captivating as the stories of two women, their lives entwined through the tumultuous events of World War II and the Korean War. Prolific Korean author Lee Geum-yi’s Can’t I Go Instead (2023), translated by An Seon Jae, is a mesmerising exploration of the harsh realities of class division in early 20th century Korea, offering readers a poignant narrative that is as heart-wrenching as it is enlightening.
The novel unfolds against the backdrop of a society marred by Japanese rule, where aristocracy and subservience define the roles of the privileged and their maidservants. At its heart, the story revolves around Chaeryeong, the daughter of a Korean nobleman, and Sunam, her devoted maidservant. Theirs is a complex bond forged by circumstances and duty but shadowed by inequality.
As the narrative begins, we are introduced to Chaeryeong’s family, a wealthy and influential household in 1930s Korea. Her father, Viscount Hyeongman, is a staunch supporter of Japanese rule, and also has an illegitimate son destined to inherit the family fortune.
For Chaeryeong’s eighth birthday, the Viscount took her to a quaint village, intending to present her with a unique gift: her very own maidservant. However, the child he has selected is reluctant to embark on this journey. Among the children watching, Sunam, a younger girl, stood out. She approached and boldly asked, “Can't I go instead?”
The village head, a stern figure, tried to discourage Sunam, but she remained determined, locking eyes with the Viscount. In a pivotal moment, the Viscount turned to Chaeryeong and asked, ‘Which do you want?’ Chaeryeong pointed at Sunam.
With that simple gesture, their complex relationship was born. Little did they know, this moment would set in motion events beyond their imagination.
“Chaeryeong couldn’t hide her disappointment. She had never seen such a dirty and useless gift in all her life.”
As Chaeryeong finds herself entangled in a perilous romance with a passionate Korean Independence activist, her choices weigh heavily on Sunam. In a cruel twist of fate, Chaeryeong is forced into an arranged marriage with a Japanese man and sent far away, leaving Sunam to shoulder the burden of assuming her identity. This heartbreaking turn of events thrusts Sunam into the nightmarish existence of a ‘comfort woman,’ a role inflicted upon countless Korean women by the Japanese Imperial army during World War II.
Meanwhile, Chaeryeong’s journey takes her to the United States, where she confronts the harsh reality of prejudice harboured by Americans against Japanese residents. She finds herself caught in the web of cultural bias and discrimination, compelled to navigate a complex and challenging existence far from the life she had once known in Korea.
In this tale of two intertwined destinies, Chaeryeong and Sunam are both thrust into worlds filled with pain, injustice, and prejudice – each facing their own unique trials and tribulations. Their parallel experiences illuminate the profound human cost of war and the enduring scars it leaves on those ensnared in its merciless grasp.
“In her old life, Sunam had never thought about patriotism or Korean independence. Her only thought had been to do as she was told-and if she did not go hungry, all was fine.”
Can’t I Go Instead is Lee Geum-Yi’s second foray into the epic saga-style narrative, and it doesn’t disappoint. The experiences of Chaeryeong and Sunam are deeply moving, portraying the hardships they endure as the world around them evolves. Particularly poignant is Chaeryeong’s struggle when Japan bombs Pearl Harbor, leading to her internment in the United States.
“Several times a day, she thought about running away.”
The novel does meander at times, with prolonged stretches where not much transpires, but the eventual payoff lies in the profound understanding of the characters’ journeys and their eventual reunion in an independent Korea post-World War II.
Geum-yi’s narrative choices, exemplified by the captivating role reversal between Chaeryeong and Sunam, intricately layer depth and intrigue throughout the story, offering a testament to her creative and imaginative storytelling prowess. One moment from the novel crystallises this mastery, as Sunam, disguised as Chaeryeong, experiences a profound revelation regarding her assumed identity, the power it carried and the stark truth beneath it:
“She paled as she realised that everything she’d thought of the viscount had been a lie, that he’d sent her to this place knowing exactly what would happen—he must have.”
This quote encapsulates the heart of Geum-yi’s storytelling, where characters grapple with their convictions and perceptions, ultimately unravelling the intricate layers of the narrative and adding a profound richness to the tale.
Can’t I Go Instead provides a window into a lesser-known chapter of history, one seldom taught in Western schools, making it a valuable addition to the world of historical fiction. If you’re open to exploring translated works that delve into the lives of 20th century Korean immigrants and the profound impact of historical events, Can’t I Go Instead is a book that will both educate and captivate.
Overall, the novel stands as a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit, a tale of sacrifice, survival, and redemption that will linger in your thoughts long after you’ve turned the final page.
Emma is a British-born Hong Kong-Chinese writer. She contributes to The Mekong Review, The Hong Kong Review, Being Asian Australian, HerCanberra, Aniko Press, and Books + Publishing. Emma is the Senior Content Manager at Future Women and is devoted to amplifying Asian voices within the Australian literary landscape. She is also passionate about advocacy work in the migrant women's space. You can find her on IG @emmapeiyin