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Hyekchul
Big Brother is an older teenager who leads a gang of young men avoiding North Korea’s mandatory military service. Big Brother holds North Korea’s army in contempt, saying that its soldiers are “thieves” who “steal” from the people they are supposed to be guarding. After Myeongchul is killed in Rajin-Seonbong, Sungju’s gang decides to work for Big Brother’s gang in exchange for their help rather than remaining independent and unprotected. Though friendly, Big Brother refuses to tell Sungju his name because he doesn’t want Sungju giving his identity to the authorities if Sungju is arrested. One day, Sungju’s gang returns to Big Brother’s hideout and finds it deserted; assuming that Big Brother and the others have fled or been arrested, they decide to make themselves scarce. They don’t see Big Brother again.
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Big Brother Character Timeline in Every Falling Star
The timeline below shows where the character Big Brother appears in Every Falling Star. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 21
...at the older boys’ hangout, the leader tells Sungju’s gang they can call him “ Big Brother .”
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Sungju asks Big Brother why his gang prefers homelessness to the army. Big Brother, laughing, says he believes in...
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Sungju’s gang stays with Big Brother ’s. They practice throwing metal chopsticks, increase their stamina by trail running, and strengthen their...
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Chapter 22
...their parents never appear. In 2000, returning from a Gyeong-seong visit, Sungju’s gang discovers that Big Brother ’s gang has vanished from their Pohwang hideout. The police have probably found and severely...
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