Park Character Analysis in Girl in Translation

Park is Matt's younger brother. He's mentally disabled and doesn't speak, which in Chinese culture is seen as a stain on the entire family. To combat this, Mrs. Wu allows people to think that Park is merely deaf by communicating with him in sign language. Like Kim, Park loves motorcycles and carries a toy motorcycle with him everywhere. In the epilogue, Park helps out his older brother working at UPS.

Park Character Timeline in Girl in Translation

The timeline below shows where the character Park appears in Girl in Translation. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...Mrs. Wu. He doesn't look at her and ignores Matt as well. Matt explains that Park is shy and doesn't hear well, and then declares he's taking a break. Other kids... (full context)

...face. He tries to sound nonchalant as he says that he was standing up for Park. Later, Kim and Ma give Mr. Al an elephant from Chinatown to bring him good... (full context)

Family, Choices, and Sacrifice Theme Icon

...back to work. As Kim approaches Mrs. Wu, she notices that the woman is scolding Park. Park, however, isn't facing her to read her lips, though he seems to be responding.... (full context)

...afternoon, as Kim flips through Cycle magazine, she notices an article on a motorcycle that Park has in model form. At the factory later, Kim finds Park watching a lady sewing.... (full context)

Kim tells Park that she has an article on his motorcycle. The sewing ladies are shocked to see... (full context)

...he's telling the truth. One day, as Kim takes a break outside, she comes across Park fixing Matt's bike chain while Matt watches. Matt flirts with Kim, which she ignores. Kim's... (full context)

...Vivian says hi to Kim on Kim's way in and as Kim approaches the door, Park runs into her on his way out. He's dressed strangely and seems disoriented. Vivian asks... (full context)

One of the boys steps in front of Park and tries to get him to speak. Kim puts herself between Park and the boy,... (full context)

After this, Kim makes a point to be kind to Park and flirts openly with other boys at the factory. She reminds herself that despite the... (full context)

...than Nelson. To keep Matt around a moment more, Kim asks where Mrs. Wu and Park are, as she hasn't seen them recently. Matt explains that Mrs. Wu is often ill... (full context)

A while later, Matt talks about having to care for Park and admits that he's never even told Vivian that his father is alive. Matt admits... (full context)

...In a rush, Kim says that she's moving away, but she could take him and Park with her. (full context)

...Kim and Curt officially break up and Matt spends all his free time with Kim. Park, however, withdraws after Mrs. Wu's death and seems nearly unreachable. (full context)

...cries that it's her only option and she'd never be able to support Ma, Matt, Park, and a baby. She apologizes for being stupid, but Ma haltingly says that she's sorry—Kim... (full context)

Kim asks after Park and Vivian. Matt explains that he and Park are working at UPS, while Vivian started... (full context)