MAIN CHARACTERS

The Koreans

Ahn Yong Kyu, a Korean soldier at the heart of the investigation division of the American army.

Captain Kim, leader of the Korean unit.

The Staff Sergeant, member of the unit lead by Captain Kim. His trafficking of Korean beer angers the Americans army.

Oh Hae Jong, also called Mimi. She was an office employee in an American PX in Uijeongbu, in Korea, and lived successively with three American soldiers. She had a child with one of them. In Vietnam, she was fired from the post exchange (PX) where she worked, for dealing heroin. Through her relationship with Pham Quyen, she obtains Vietnamese nationality, her last chance to start her life over. They dream of saving enough money to move to Singapore or Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Group, the most influential group among Korean civilians dealing in the black market in Da Nang.

The Vietnamese

Pham Minh, a medical student at the University of Hue. He joins the National Liberation Front (NLF) and becomes a secret agent of the 434th special action group based in Da Nang.

Pham Quyen, Pham Minh’s older brother. Commander in the Vietnamese government’s army. Aide-de-camp of General Liam (governor of the Quang Nam province), he wields all the administrative power of the local government.

Chan Ti Shoan, the daughter of a civil servant. She is Pham Minh’s friend and a student in her final year at Pascal High School.

Lei, Pham Minh and Pham Quyen’s younger sister. She attends the same high school as Shoan, but is in her second-to-last year.

Mi, Pham Minh and Pham Quyen’s older sister. Following the death of her husband, a member of the NFL killed in combat, she lives at her mother’s house with her two children and depends financially on her brother, Pham Quyen.

Uncle Trinh, the former director of the Da Nang primary school. He exercised huge influence over the youngsters, teaching them the history of Vietnam. But having lost hope, he is now addicted to opium.

Nguyen Cuong, an important trader in the Le Loi market in Da Nang. He is a local government representative in all commercial transactions. With Pham Quyen, he plans to collect cinnamon on the high plateaus of central Vietnam and to market it.

Nguyen Thatch, Cuong’s younger brother. He studied at the University of Hue. He is a secret agent for the urban guerilla fighter movement of one of the NLF’s district commissions in Da Nang. His car repair shop is a front for his secret activity of supplying the NLF with weaponry.

Doctor Tran, the director of the Red Cross hospital. As a surgeon, he is used to comfort and luxury. He lives with his wife, Madame Hue, and their son Huan and daughter Phuoc, who is a friend of Shoan.

Old Man Hien, the owner of the Puohung House. He has a trading partnership with the Americans. He holds precious information on the rates of exchange of army currency and dollars, as well as on the different markets.

Lieutenant Kiem, Commander Pham’s aide-de-camp. He works in the administration of the local government. He is originally from the countryside, but is ambitious; he enlisted in the state army and was appointed officer.

Toi, originally from Da Nang. After having finished his military service in the state army, he started working for the Korean branch of the investigation division. He is a friend of Yong Kyu for whom he serves as a driver, interpreter, and assistant.

Madame Lin, from China, owner of the Sports Club. The wife of an Englishman born in Hong Kong, she is a close friend of Oh Hae Jong and knows how to treat American officers tactfully.

The Americans

Stapley, a sergeant at the Turen supply warehouse. Originally from New York, he dreams of writing comic books. After having been insubordinate, he chooses to go to Vietnam to avoid prison but he ends up deserting.

Leon, originally from Chicago, son of Italian immigrants, and obsessed with motorcycle racing. Employed at the Turen warehouse, he is the main supplier to Ahn Yong Kyu.

Krapensky, a commander in the Marines, leader of the investigation division. He previously served in Korea.

Lucas, a corporal in the Marines and a member of the investigation division. He studied at the center for Korean studies in Washington and Hawaii.