The Vegetarian Character Analysis

Yeong-hye

The primary protagonist of The Vegetarian. Yeong-hye is a young woman living in Seoul, South Korea, with her husband, Mr. Cheong. When Han first introduces Yeong-hye and Mr. Cheong, they have a normal… read analysis of Yeong-hye

In-hye

The brother-in-law’s wife and Yeong-hye’s older sister, who provides the narrative perspective for the third section of the book. In-hye is four years older than Yeong-hye and is at first described as the… read analysis of In-hye

Mr. Cheong

Yeong-hye’s husband, who narrates the first section of the novel. Mr. Cheong is an average businessman who expects Yeong-hye to cook and clean for him. They have a relatively normal, if loveless existence, though… read analysis of Mr. Cheong

The Brother-in-Law / In-hye’s Husband

Yeong-hye’s unnamed brother-in-law and In-hye’s husband, who provides the narrative perspective in the second section of the book. The brother-in-law is a video artist, while In-hye is both the primary breadwinner and the… read analysis of The Brother-in-Law / In-hye’s Husband

Yeong-hye’s Father

Yeong-hye, In-hye, and Yeong-ho’s father. Yeong-hye’s father is described as a strict and violent Vietnam War veteran. At the end of the novel, In-hye reflects on the fact that Yeong-hye is the… read analysis of Yeong-hye’s Father

Yeong-hye’s Mother

Yeong-hye, In-hye, and Yeong-ho’s mother. When Mr. Cheong calls and informs Yeong-hye’s mother that Yeong-hye is refusing to eat, she grows furious at her daughter’s disobedience, thinking it reflects poorly on her… read analysis of Yeong-hye’s Mother

Ji-woo

In-hye and her husband’s young son. In the first section, Ji-woo is three, and by the end of the story he has turned six. In-hye primarily takes care of Ji-woo, while the brother-in-law frequently… read analysis of Ji-woo

J

An artist friend of the brother-in-law’s who agrees to be painted and to model with Yeong-hye. Over the course of the film shoot, however, he becomes increasingly aroused by but also increasingly uncomfortable… read analysis of J

Minor Characters

Yeong-ho

Yeong-hye and In-hye’s brother. Yeong-ho joins the rest of the family to hold an intervention for Yeong-hye, and helps hold Yeong-hye’s arms when his father tries to force-feed her. After this incident, Yeong-ho does not remain involved in Yeong-hye’s life.

An ex-girlfriend of the brother-in-law’s and a fellow artist. He goes to her when he needs his own body painted in flowers.

Hee-joo

Another patient at the psychiatric ward where Yeong-hye is staying, who helps to take care of Yeong-hye.

The Vegetarian

Han Kang

The Vegetarian Characters