A River in Darkness: One Man's Escape from North Korea

Masaji Ishikawa’s identity is inextricably marked by a complex interplay of his Korean heritage and his Japanese upbringing. From the outset, he is positioned as a marginal figure—a product of a divided world as his birth into a mixed-race family foreshadows a life of ambiguity and displacement. His family’s anti-Korean sentiments seep into his subconscious, shaping a negative perception of his Korean heritage. However, his experiences at the Korean school challenge these preconceived notions, fostering a sense of kinship with his Korean peers. This internal conflict between the externally imposed stereotypes and his personal experiences reveals the complexities of identity formation. Masaji's friendship with Lion becomes a pivotal moment, offering a glimpse of acceptance and Belonging in a Divided World that contrasts sharply with the prejudice he encounters in other spheres of his life.

Do Sam-dal's absence during Masaji's formative years creates a void filled with both curiosity and dread. The father he eventually encounters is a far cry from the idealized paternal figure, his violent behavior casting a shadow over Masaji's childhood. The young Masaji is forced to assume a protective role towards his mother, and his attempts to intervene reveal a deep-seated sense of loyalty and a nascent understanding of injustice.