American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee review – a gloriously immersive follow-up to Pachinko

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According to the Guardian, Min Jin Lee's new novel, 'American Hagwon', examines the pivotal role of Korean private after-school academies, known as 'hagwons', in the lives of immigrant families. Spanning three decades and moving from Seoul to California, the story follows the Koh family as they make significant sacrifices for their children's future following the financial crises of the late 90s. Beyond a family saga, the 650-page novel critiques the educational system and questions the true meaning of success. In her review, Sarah Crown compares the work to George Eliot's 'Middlemarch' for its compassionate realism and deep character development.