Min Jin Lee, the author of the National Book Award finalist novel 'Pachinko' from 2017, has released her third book, 'American Hagwon.' Published by Cardinal, a division of Hachette Book Group, the novel focuses on the Korean immigrant community and the intense emphasis placed on education to secure a future for their children in America. The story continues the exploration of cultural identity and family dynamics that characterized her previous work about four generations of a Korean family in Japan.
A newly released excerpt from the book, dated for release in 2026, provides a glimpse into the high stakes of this educational pursuit. The scene centers on Helen, a mother bringing her three children, Mido, Tom, and DH, to an interview at a prestigious private tutoring center called Eagle. The family has prepared meticulously for the occasion, wearing Sunday clothes after Helen coached them on how to handle the meeting. The atmosphere in the room is tense, with the older children watching their shy sister, Mido, with a mix of protection and anxiety.
During the interview, Mido attempts to speak up, assuring the staff that she is a hard worker and willing to complete all the required homework. Her parents, Helen and the father referred to as DH, listen intently, trying to maintain composure. Helen then takes over the conversation, speaking in English to appear less formal and to better convey her children's potential. She presents their report cards from Sydney, arguing that recent local test scores do not fully reflect the students' true abilities.
The director of the center, Tom, listens to Helen's plea while the children are taken to another room for assessments. He informs Helen that while the children are great, the center has a long waitlist. He explains that it is highly unlikely, if not impossible, to accept three new students at once, as other parents have been waiting for more than two years for a single spot to open. Tom, described as a liberal American who wrote his doctoral dissertation on education reformers, struggles with the irony of owning a private institution while rejecting status-based demands.
Helen, advised by a friend named Sonya not to give up until she hears a definitive 'no,' makes a final attempt to secure a place for just Mido. She highlights the family's history of moving and the different educational paths each child might take, such as DH wanting to study in America or the older children potentially taking the Suneung exam. The excerpt illustrates Helen's feeling of being overwhelmed by the complex ladder of educational requirements, noting that the process feels more manageable abroad where she did not feel so powerless and alone.
The novel is available in hardcover, large print trade paperback, eBook, and audio formats. Readers can also find an interview with Min Jin Lee on 'CBS Sunday Morning,' scheduled for November 15, 2026, where she discusses the themes and background of her latest work.
This release marks another significant entry in Lee's literary career, further examining the immigrant experience through the specific lens of academic pressure and cultural assimilation. The book offers a detailed look at the strategies and sacrifices involved in navigating the American education system as a new immigrant family.
