Young Ju
A Step from Heaven focuses on main character and protagonist Young Ju. Young Ju is a young girl whose Korean family emigrated to the United States in hopes of finding more opportunity. Her mother, Uhmma, describes the United States as "A Step from Heaven," hence the title of the novel. Though the family has a hard time adjusting to the new culture, Young Ju fares the best. Despite the language barrier, she is able to learn in school and befriends Amanda. Young Ju's father, Apa, does not like the way that Young Ju is adapting to American culture and continually threatens and occasionally beats her.
Uhmma
Uhmma (Korean for "Mama") is Young Ju's mother. Uhmma is a gentle force in Young Ju's life and does the best that she can to provide for her family. She is eager to learn the ways of American life, and Young Ju teaches her things that she learns in school. However, Uhmma struggles in the abusive relationship with Apa, and she is beaten by him.
Apa
Apa (Korean for "Papa") is the main antagonist of the novel. Early in Young Ju's life, he leaves the family, only to come back to them in the United States. He makes the family feel stuck with him, and he does not like the way they are being assimilated into American culture. A heavy drinker, Apa lashes out at Young Ju and Uhmma near the end of the novel after he finds out that Young Ju befriended Amanda, who he considers "too American."
Amanda
Amanda is an American friend that Young Ju meets while at school. Amanda's mother is kind towards Young Ju, and she drives her to the library so that the two girls can talk together without Apa knowing. When Apa finds out about Young Ju's secret encounters with Amanda, he lashes out.
