Min Jin Lee to Open Adelaide Writers' Week 2027 as Festival Returns After 2026 Cancellation
On 26 February 2027, Min Jin Lee will be the featured speaker at Adelaide Writers' Week, taking place at Adelaide Town Hall, where she will engage in a discussion with Michael Williams. She will delve into her latest novel, American Hagwon, her first release since the acclaimed 2017 book Pachinko, which delves into the experiences of the Korean diaspora. The narrative centers on the Koh family in the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, exploring themes of family, ambition, migration, and the pursuit of a fulfilling life. The festival, scheduled from 26 February to 4 March, marks the inaugural event under new director Rosemarie Milsom, who was appointed in April following Louise Adler's resignation. Tickets for Lee's session are currently available.
Key facts
- Min Jin Lee headlines the opening night of Adelaide Writers' Week on 26 February 2027 at Adelaide Town Hall
- Lee will discuss her new novel American Hagwon with Michael Williams, The Monthly editor and former Sydney Writers' Festival Artistic Director
- American Hagwon is Lee's first novel since Pachinko and the third book in her Korean diaspora exploration
- The novel follows the Koh family from Seoul to Sydney to California after the 1997 Asian financial crisis
- Pachinko was a National Book Award finalist and was named among The New York Times' 100 Best Books of the 21st Century
- The 2026 festival was cancelled after the Adelaide Festival Board rescinded Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah's invitation and more than 180 authors withdrew
- Rosemarie Milsom was appointed director in April for a three-year term, replacing Louise Adler
- Adelaide Writers' Week 2027 runs 26 February to 4 March as part of Adelaide Festival
Entities
Artists
- Min Jin Lee
- Michael Williams
- Randa Abdel-Fattah
- Rosemarie Milsom
- Louise Adler
- Judy Potter
- Alannah Sue
- Anna Woods
- Liane Moriarty
Institutions
- Adelaide Writers' Week
- Adelaide Festival
- Adelaide Festival Board
- Adelaide Festival Corporation
- The Monthly
- Sydney Writers' Festival
- Apple TV+
- National Book Award
- The New York Times
- Newcastle Writers Festival
- Global Association of Literary Festivals
- Constellations: Not Writers' Week
- Pioneer Women's Memorial Garden
- ScreenHub
- ArtsHub
- Creative Hubs Group
- Time Out Sydney
- Prime Minister's Literary Awards
- ARA Historical Novel Prize
- NT Book Awards
- RuPaul's Drag Race
Locations
- Adelaide
- Australia
- Adelaide Town Hall
- Korea
- United States
- Seoul
- Sydney
- California
- Bondi Beach
- Melbourne
- Newcastle