Review by Joshua Kim, 10
Forbidden love, political unrest, longing for a fresh start in a new land, Kim Young Ha’s Black flower tells the little known story of Korean immigrants embarking on a journey as immigrants to Mexico. Set in 1905, with the nation of Korea crumbling under the rule of Imperial Japan, a group of over one thousand Koreans try to escape the economic decline of the nation by sailing to the Yucatan Peninsula. They are promised work, good wages, and food once they enter the new land. People from all backgrounds flock to the harbor to fight for a spot on the ship. “Everyone from beggars to short-haired men, women in skirts and Korean jackets, and even runny-nosed children” all desired a new opportunity in the strange land. The political situation in Korea even forces rich Korean aristocrats to save a spot on the ship. The class differences that were strictly enforced in Korea, however, would have little impact on the journey that lay ahead. The excitement of sailing to the Yucatan quickly turns to horror as the travelers are plagued with diseases, unsanitary living spaces, and nightmares. The once lofty royals must sleep amongst the worst beggars and thieves. Aboard the ship, a young orphan named Ijeong falls in love with Yi Yeongsu, the daughter of a wealthy aristocrat. The two continue to meet in secret as the ship sails to Mexico.
The immigrants eventually reach their destination, only to face even greater suffering. The Koreans are sold off as indentured servants on large henequen plantations or haciendas. The masters of the haciendas severely whip, underpay, and overwork the Koreans who were tricked into working under a four year contract. For hours a day, the immigrants toil in the fields, receiving barely enough to buy food. Despite the conditions, Ijeong and Yeonsu continue to meet each other, yet their relationship becomes increasingly difficult to maintain as they are sold into different haciendas with cruel masters.
Kim Young Ha tells the story from a variety of perspectives, ranging from a Korean priest to a discharged soldier. The unique viewpoints help the reader to understand the individual struggles of the people, and highlight the greed and exploitation present in the story. Kim Young Ha, however, does not focus only on the mistreatment of the immigrants. The injustice to the Koreans is matched by their continual determination and dignity. After years of work, many Koreans were able to pay their way out of servitude. Others created organizations in Mexico that fought against Japanese rule in their home country. The Koreans adapted to their new surroundings and eventually became victorious, seizing the opportunity that they were always looking for.
A complex tale of the first Korean immigrants in Mexico depicts the culture and values of the Korean people at the time. Kim Young Ha tells a riveting story of struggle that everyone should read.