Min Jin Lee’s latest novel, “American Hagwon,” the third installment in her planned quartet exploring the Korean diaspora, offers an expansive and nuanced look at the pressures surrounding education and family life within the Korean immigrant experience. Set between 1992 and 2007, the narrative moves seamlessly through South Korea, the United States, and Australia, anchoring its story in a fictional supplemental school for expatriates in Cypress, California, called Exodus Academy.

At the heart of the novel is Lion Han, the academy’s head, who earned the nickname “Oracle of Orange County” in his local church community. Once a Princeton graduate who left his father’s expectations behind to pursue music, Lion now runs Exodus and a related enterprise named Fortress. These institutions serve Korean students navigating an increasingly competitive admissions landscape. Unlike typical cram schools, Lion’s establishments attempt to foster genuine intellectual and emotional growth amid the high-stakes environment. His guiding philosophy is a simple yet subversive mantra: “Why not?”—advocating for a love of learning divorced from the intense focus on exam results and social status.

The story follows the Koh family, newly returned to Seoul after living in Paramus, New Jersey, and Sydney. John Koh works at a trading company, where he faces professional and personal challenges—including being falsely accused of harassment and losing status—while his wife, Helen, supplements the family income with retail work. Their three children each engage with the educational system in different ways: Bo studies psychology inspired by theories of human needs; DH pursues law; and Mido, struggling with selective mutism, aspires to be a playwright while postponing her own higher education. All three eventually become involved with Lion’s hagwon, further intertwining personal ambition and cultural expectations.

The novel is rich with detail, delving into the complexities of family dynamics, societal pressures, and the practicalities of life such as contracts, wills, and financial arrangements. These elements ground the story’s larger themes in everyday reality. Interwoven with moments of romance, conflict, and social commentary, the book reflects on the myth of meritocracy through Lion’s critiques of popular Korean television dramas and their symbolic “Hong Gildong” characters, figures who embody idealized heroism and exceptional talent.

“American Hagwon” examines its characters’ navigation of tradition, modernity, and the often harsh demands of the educational race. Against the backdrop of significant historical events—including the Asian financial crisis, the aftermath of 9/11, and the rise of digital technology—the novel captures the resilience and pragmatism of immigrant families striving to balance cultural identity and personal fulfillment. With its scope and detailed treatment of familial and societal obligations, Min Jin Lee’s work stands out as a significant contribution to contemporary literature on diaspora and education.