Min Jin Lee Discusses New Novel American Hagwon in Reader's Digest Interview

Central to the series is the question of sacrifice for a family's well-being. Lee's debut, *Free Food for Millionaires*, portrays Casey Han, the daughter of Korean immigrants trying to navigate class and ambition in New York City. Her subsequent work, *Pachinko*, centers on generations of a Korean family in Japan and was a finalist for the 2017 National Book Award for Fiction.

*American Hagwon* continues this theme, focusing on the Koh family, who, after the 1997 Asian financial crisis and a personal betrayal, flee from Seoul to Sydney and ultimately settle in Southern California. While the title references Korea's private after-school educational institutions, Lee emphasizes the story's broader themes of education, loyalty, and the sacrifices families make amid unexpected hardships. "It’s about education and diaspora and immigration, but mostly it’s about loyalty and sacrifices that we make in order to survive when terrible things that we don’t expect happen," she stated.

In her interview, Lee also shares insights into her writing process, including where she finds inspiration for her realistic characters. She conducts extensive interviews with Koreans around the world, which informs her work. Lee also discusses her favorite reading spots, writing routines, and the challenges of being a writer, along with her preferred writing snacks.