Min Jin Lee Explores Education's Shifting Rules in 'American Hagwon'

Author Min Jin Lee, celebrated for her novel 'Pachinko,' has released "American Hagwon," her latest work exploring the modern condition and the changing landscape of education. This novel is the third in her "Diaspora Quartet" series, which examines the global migration of Koreans.

"American Hagwon" centers on "hagwons," for-profit learning centers common in South Korea, where approximately 80% of children attend from a young age. These centers cater to various goals, from career preparation to artistic aspirations.

The story follows a family whose life is disrupted after immigrating to America, raising profound questions about the value and purpose of education. Lee probes whether education is solely for employment or a path to transformation and liberation, ultimately focusing on the pursuit of wisdom.

Set in the 1990s but resonating with current global shifts, Lee highlights the feeling of being unprepared for a rapidly changing world, particularly in the age of AI. She emphasizes that the "rules of engagement have changed," urging a reevaluation of how we educate ourselves and our children.

Lee, who overcame a serious liver condition, is now researching her fourth book in Harlem. Her hope is that readers will find the internal strength and empathy to navigate alarming changes and support one another through these transformative times.