Novelist Min Jin Lee on the promise and perils of Western education
Summary
Guest interviewer Arthi Shahani discusses Min Jin Lee’s new novel, *American Hagwon*, which follows a Korean family navigating the diaspora through South Korea, Australia, and the United States. They explore themes of educational pressure, the Korean "hagwon" culture, and the limits of the meritocratic dream. Lee also reflects on her upbringing in Queens, her personal health struggles, and her upcoming projects, including a novel set in post-war Germany and a memoir on fame.
Topics discussed
Sponsor: Rosetta Stone language learning
Introduction to Min Jin Lee and her work
Welcome and background on Pachinko
South Korea's high college graduation rate
The pressure of the rising middle class
Korean soft power and government support
The illusion of playing by the rules
Family bonds and survival without wealth
Resentment and the value of effort
University admissions and global competition
The complexity of the Asian American identity
The antagonist's false Me Too claim
Feminine power and the inevitability of suffering
Personal story: Cancer and cherishing life
Break and sponsor announcements
Sponsors: AT&T and Total Wine
Australia as a model for education and voting
Growing up in Queens, New York
Immigrant experience and high school years
Diversity and dignity in Queens
The concept of modern diaspora
Break and sponsor announcements
Sponsors: Prolon and Total Wine
Research process and understanding systems
Writing process: outlines and rewriting
Childhood trauma and the ruler scene
Upcoming books: The Marshall Plan and memoir
Closing remarks
Sponsor: AT&T
Sponsor: AT&T
Review: Small Prophets introduction
Small Prophets: Plot and tone
Small Prophets: Characters and setting
Small Prophets: Neighbors and friendships
Small Prophets: The spirits and rituals
Small Prophets: Creator and themes
Small Prophets: Humor and poetic touches
Small Prophets: Conclusion
Sponsor: NPR Plus
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