Because my father had a fracture and needed someone to take care of him, I had already requested annual leave from work.

I have the time, but I don't really want to go back.

Every time I went back to my hometown before, I had a few unpleasant encounters with my uncle and grandmother.

Especially my grandmother, who is half crazy and often shouts and says things I can't understand, always telling me to stay away.

But since my father asked, I couldn't refuse.

My wife also urged me to go, saying she was curious about this matter.

"At that time, people hated the invaders to the core, but why did your grandmother eagerly want to be a traitor and even give birth to a child with Japanese blood? Moreover, it's even harder to understand how the mother and son survived through all those movements when everyone in the village hated them so much.

"You might as well take this opportunity to find out. If you're lucky, you might end up with a special interview."

It's true what she said. I work for a magazine that specializes in in-depth character reports, and lately, we've been struggling to find good topics.

So, after instructing my wife to take over my responsibilities and take care of my father, I bought a ticket and headed for my hometown.

When I said goodbye to her, I hadn't realized yet how the truth I would discover on this funeral journey would impact my values.

My wife is a simple and considerate person, a girl who grew up in the city and hasn't experienced many hardships, like a so-called "flower in a greenhouse."

After spending a long time with her, I've gotten used to the idea that women should be soft.

But the grandmother I'm about to meet will show me with her toughness:

How much can a woman endure?