{"book":{"book":"American Hagwon","author":"Min Jin Lee","publicationYear":2026,"description":"American Hagwon is a novel by Min Jin Lee following John and Helen Koh, a middle-class couple residing in South Korea. When an unexpected financial crisis strikes, they make the life-altering decision to leave Seoul for Southern California. In their new home, the couple is confronted by a harsh and challenging financial reality. They must navigate these hardships while struggling to carve out a place for their children within the American Dream. The narrative explores the intense culture of hagwons, the Korean term for private cram schools and learning centers. Lee reflects on the journey of creating this story and how writing the book deeply transformed her.","image":"https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2160x2160+0+0/resize/3000/quality/66/format/jpg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb9%2F3d%2F028624ed49d288d106a52c0f4d3a%2Fb4c475b3-b9a4-4d2b-a6aa-d07e59c2d978.jpg","date":"2026-10-05"}}