Korean-American author Min Jin Lee’s latest novel, *American Hagwon*, explores the complexities of family, education, and immigrant identity through the story of the Koh family. Spanning several continents and years, the narrative follows Helen and John Koh and their children—Bo, DH, and Mido—as they move between New Jersey, Seoul, Sydney, and ultimately settle in Orange County, California. Their migration is shaped by broader economic forces, including the 1997 Asian financial crisis, as well as personal challenges.
The Kohs are depicted as a loving yet multi-dimensional family facing the pressures common in immigrant communities. John Koh approaches family matters with practical problem-solving, while Helen meticulously documents her children’s histories and aspirations. Through this intimate portrait, Lee examines the cultural and emotional dynamics that bind families together amid uncertainty and change.
Central to the novel is the role of hagwons, a Korean term for private academies ranging from test-preparation centers to specialized talent development schools. For Korean, Indian, and Chinese communities in the United States, these institutions serve as refuges from external pressures such as strict parental expectations and school bullying. Lee’s fictional Eagle Academy and Fortress represent such spaces, offering the Koh children places to explore their identities and talents at their own pace.
The novel probes the intertwined themes of education, ambition, and belonging. It highlights the intense pressure on immigrant children to excel academically and socially out of a desire to honor their communities and avoid shame. Drawing on an epigraph from James Baldwin—“The paradox of education is this—that as one begins to become conscious one begins to examine the society in which one is being educated”—*American Hagwon* delves into the internal conflicts that arise as children navigate societal expectations and their own self-discovery.
Alongside the family’s personal struggles, the novel brings to life a vivid community centered around the Gospel Presbyterian Church, a sprawling complex that functions as a social and political hub for Korean Americans. Within this setting, the Kohs encounter friends, relatives, and rivals involved in a network of social maneuvering and power plays. These interactions add layers of complexity to the narrative, revealing dimensions of ambition, loyalty, and rivalry.
Critically, while the Koh family itself is portrayed as stable and loving, Lee populates the story with sharply drawn supporting characters who introduce elements of disruption and drama. Figures such as Helen’s sister Sonya and the charismatic, scandal-prone Danbi provide contrasts that enrich the depiction of community life.
Lee’s previous works have similarly illuminated the hidden structures that govern opportunity and constraint for immigrant families. *American Hagwon* continues this exploration, metaphorically likening education to a parallel church with its own rituals, privileges, and faith. At one point, a prominent private education figure, Lion Han, reminds a gathering of parents that education’s ultimate goal is to help children find their own identities rather than impose superhero-like expectations.
*American Hagwon* is the third installment in a planned quartet that began with *Free Food for Millionaires* (2007) and continued with *Pachinko* (2017). The forthcoming final novel will examine the impact of the 1948 Marshall Plan on families across the United States and Europe.
Unlike *Pachinko*, known for its sweeping and dynamic narrative, *American Hagwon* adopts a quieter, more contemplative tone, inviting readers to engage patiently with its detailed portrayal of the pursuit of the American dream. Despite the challenges and complexities faced by the Koh family, Lee’s work suggests resilience and hope remain central to the immigrant experience.