Ri Chang-ho Character Analysis in The Girl with Seven Names

A North Korean border guard assigned to the Yalu River near Hyeonseo’s home in Hyesan. Chang-ho is of the absolute highest songbun, and he quickly falls in love with Hyeonseo and even asks to marry her. Hyeonseo declines Chang-ho’s advances, but they remain friends, and he even helps her to escape over the river and into Changbai, China. Ri Chang-ho is always kind to Hyeonseo and her family, and he is further proof that kindness does exist in North Korea, even though it may be difficult to see it.

Ri Chang-ho Character Timeline in The Girl with Seven Names

The timeline below shows where the character Ri Chang-ho appears in The Girl with Seven Names. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Oppression, Human Rights, and North Korea Theme Icon

...to the stretch of river where their house sits, a handsome young man named Ri Chang-ho. Chang-ho is six years older than Hyeonseo and of the absolute highest songbun. One day,... (full context)

Hyeonseo takes the letter to Chang-ho’s mother in Hamhung, who smiles at her with amusement after reading it. When Hyeonseo returns... (full context)

...she is going to a friend’s house and walks out to the river. She finds Chang-ho and tells him she going to Shenyang to visit relatives. He tells her crossing the... (full context)

...Aunt Pretty in Hamhung, but the banjang was with the inspectors and knew the truth. Chang-ho told Mother that Hyeonseo had crossed the river, and it wasn’t long before rumors started... (full context)