'Pachinko' author Min Jin Lee says writing 'American Hagwon' transformed her

Min Jin Lee’s novel *American Hagwon* examines the intense pressures of academic competition and the immigrant experience through the lens of the Ko family, who navigate economic instability after relocating to Southern California. The term "hagwon"—a Korean learning center—serves as a central symbol for the immense, often burdensome, investment families make in their children’s future. This pursuit of elite education reflects a broader, global shift where middle-class parents feel compelled to secure their children’s safety through name-brand credentials. The narrative highlights the cultural expectation of "willful self-sacrifice," a concept deeply embedded in Korean history and Confucian values, where parents prioritize their children's success over their own well-being. Ultimately, the story questions the true cost of this relentless drive for achievement and the emotional toll it exacts on families striving to realize the American dream.