The Waiting

The Waiting is a fictional narrative recounted by Jina, a novelist who chronicles the harrowing life of her mother, Gwija. At just seventeen years old, Gwija was hastily married off to a stranger after her family learned that Japanese forces were seizing unmarried girls during the occupation. Following Japan's defeat and Korea's liberation, the young couple began building a life together and started a family. However, lasting peace remained elusive, and their newfound stability was soon shattered by the outbreak of war. Forced to flee southward for survival, the young family—now four members strong—embarked on a perilous journey. During the chaotic exodus, tragedy struck when Gwija paused to breastfeed and change her infant daughter. In that fleeting moment, she became separated from her husband and young son. Seven decades have since passed, defined entirely by an agonizing wait. Now an elderly woman, Gwija carries the weight of those lost years, while Jina remains haunted by a solemn promise she made to help find her long-lost brother.