American Hagwon: A Tale of Family and the Korean Diaspora

Cardinal Min Jin Lee’s novel, American Hagwon, is the third installment in her series on the Korean diaspora. The book took nearly a decade to write. The series includes Pachinko, which was a National Book Award finalist. American Hagwon spans 600 pages, offering a blend of narrative depth and emotional resonance.

At the heart of the story is the Koh family, whose journey unfolds from 1992 to 2007. Originally from the U.S., John and Helen Koh, along with their children Bo, DH, and Mido, face uprooted lives. The family transitions from Sydney, Australia, to Seoul, South Korea, as John works for a Korean conglomerate. Back in Korea, their daughter Mido struggles with adapting to school life. Yet, Korea is not a permanent home for them due to betrayal by John’s best friend, Taehun Shin, who jeopardizes John’s position.

Shin’s illicit relationship with a young employee named Danbi causes turmoil. Shin pressures John to sabotage Danbi’s position, leading to consequences that shift the family’s prospects once more. By 1997, the Asian financial crisis further disrupts their stability. The family eventually moves to Southern California, where they encounter new challenges and opportunities.

In California, they find support through community and church networks. John takes a job at Shrimp Castle, a Korean mall restaurant, where hard work characterizes his days. The struggle is common among the novel’s characters, all seeking better lives despite difficulties.

Mary, Shin’s estranged wife, is later introduced as a character reflective of the broader immigrant experience. Her observations on the toll of ceaseless labor offer poignant insights.

The Koh children, central to hopes for a better future, all work at a hagwon, a type of preparatory school in Korean culture. This setting provided a lens on different educational philosophies. An idealistic Korean American nicknamed Lion runs the academy, emphasizing transformative education over transactional results, challenging traditional perspectives.

Lee’s narrative style, relying heavily on exposition, departs from typical writing conventions. However, she crafts profound realizations from seemingly ordinary moments, creating a novel rich in human experience. The closing sentence of American Hagwon is described as having a spiritually uplifting and emotionally impactful effect.