A hagwon is a Korean invention. It is a private after school center where students go to get extra help with all courses as well ass college applications and ACT and SAT tests. American Hagwon takes place for the most part in Sydney, Australia, Los Angeles and Seoul. It follows the Koh family, parents Helen and John and their children, Bo, DH and Mido, describing their successes, failures, loves, disappointments and friendships.

This is a book I didn’t want to finish. It felt so good to read a novel where most of the characters are honest, hard working and intelligent with a sound moral base. Min Jin Lee’s third work on the Korean diaspora is fabulous. Read it!!!