Masuko Kobayashi belonged to a Japanese family residing in Japanese-occupied Korea during World War II. Her husband received a conscription letter compelling him to join the Imperial Japanese army, leaving her as the sole wartime caregiver for their children in Sinuiju. This placed significant responsibility on her shoulders.

While her husband was away, Masuko endured multiple family tragedies. Her younger daughter, Miko, succumbed to typhoid fever, a devastating loss. Additionally, she faced a critical decision concerning Ohana, the family's Korean maid. Ohana had accidentally left a sewing needle lodged in clothing, causing a severe injury to their older daughter, Chitose, necessitating surgery. Weighed down by Miko's recent death and the potential fatality of Chitose's injury, Masuko dismissed Ohana from service.

Following Japan's surrender, the family confronted escalating hostility from Koreans seeking liberation. When Russian forces invaded North Korea, Masuko and her family became targets as Japanese residents. Preparing for their escape, she participated in exhuming Miko's ashes. She also aided in systematically burning family photographs and documents—including images of Miko—to erase evidence of their Japanese identity and military connections, aiming to evade detection by Russian troops.

Masuko embarked upon the perilous escape journey south toward the 38th parallel and the US-occupied zone. This required navigating unfamiliar mountainous terrain while evading hostile patrols. Throughout this arduous trek, she maintained an unwavering focus on family survival, preserving cohesion amid disorientation and repeated setbacks. Her experiences embody the broader hardships endured by Japanese civilians in Korea during the transition from colonial rule to post-war displacement.