Miss and Paint one's father In Daegu : Focusing on “The house with a Deep Yard” and “The Father of the Son”

Kim Won-il's novels “The House with a Deep Yard” and “The Father of the Son” exemplify narratives centered on reconciliation and restoration. These works delve into the conflicts, ideological confrontations, and individual identities within postwar Korean society. Particularly during the era referred to as the “dirty times,” the novels illuminate the emotional wounds stemming from the absence of family members affected by war, with a specific focus on the father figure. In “The House with a Deep Yard,” the protagonist Gil-nam seeks his identity under the strict upbringing of his mother, while his father's leftist activities are depicted merely as a silhouette, symbolizing a reserved judgment. Set against the backdrop of Daegu, the novel portrays the mother's relentless struggle for survival and her unique parenting methods, often interpreted as a narrative of reconciliation with maternal figures. However, this paper emphasizes the father, treated as a silhouette, and examines related incidents such as the “Mr. Jeong-tae” case and the Seo Jun-sik case, which provide insights into the father's actions. In “The Father of the Son,” the protagonist “I” endeavors to bring the previously silhouetted father into the light, exploring the father's choices and their consequential political actions. The novel employs a reportage format, citing various incidents to illustrate the father’s presence within the son's psyche and his longing for him. Through the examination of the National Press Federation incident and the Min Ae-cheong case, the author compares the father's ideological choices and queries the implications of these decisions in the political climate of the time. Ultimately, the author seeks to illuminate the recovery of individuals wounded by ideological sacrifices and the need for reconciliation with history.