Min Jin Lee Publishes 'American Hagwon,' Third Book in Diaspora Quartet

Today marks the release of Min Jin Lee's latest novel, American Hagwon, the third book in her Diaspora Quartet. This work delves into how the economic downturn in Asia during the late 1990s affected families, education, and spirituality. In an interview with Vogue, Lee explained that hagwons are educational institutions in Korea. The story centers on Mido, a young woman navigating a chaotic environment. At 57, Lee transitioned from her legal career at 26, having billed 300 hours in one month while battling chronic hepatitis B. She is currently working on the fourth book, The Marshall Plan, followed by a memoir. American Hagwon follows Free Food for Millionaires (2007) and Pachinko (2015), which was adapted into an Apple TV series and featured on Barack Obama's reading list.