Young, the protagonist, is a Korean immigrant; she is Pak’s wife and Mary’s mother. Although Young is well educated and from a relatively wealthy family, she assumes the role of the obedient wife when she marries Pak. She does not argue when Pak insists that she and Mary move to the United States, nor does she argue when Pak insists that Young lie about their whereabouts on the night of the explosion. Despite her outward compliance, however, Young secretly questions her husband’s judgment and eventually realizes that by not doing so openly, she has almost ruined her relationship with her daughter and allowed an innocent woman to be accused of murder. Her deepest hurt comes from the loss of her closeness to her daughter; only by refusing to be silent can Young repair this relationship.

Unlike many of the other characters in the story, Young is one of the few who does not act out of self-interest once she realizes the truth. Despite the pain it causes her and the strain it puts on her marriage, she insists on telling the truth to the district attorney, to herself, to Mary, and to Pak. They all must face the truth: Mary started the fire, and Mary is responsible for the deaths and injuries caused by the fire.