Bokhee and Dokhee Character Analysis in Pachinko

Bokhee and Dokhee are sweet-natured, orphaned sisters who work as servants in Yangjin’s boardinghouse. When Sunja gets married, they envy her new life in Japan and give her a wedding gift of carved wooden ducks. During World War II, the sisters go to China seeking work and are never heard from again; they are likely exploited by Japanese soldiers.

Bokhee and Dokhee Character Timeline in Pachinko

The timeline below shows where the character Bokhee and Dokhee appears in Pachinko. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

A few days later, Sunja and the boardinghouse’s servant girls, sisters Bokhee and Dokhee , are doing laundry on the beach. The sisters speculate cheerfully about Sunja’s future life... (full context)

Imperialism, Resistance, and Compromise Theme Icon

...struggles, they have a better life here in Osaka. Yangjin recalls the boardinghouse servant girls, Bokhee and Dokhee , and cries because she’s sure they were exploited by Japanese soldiers, and she could... (full context)