Acclaimed author Min Jin Lee is set to release her first major novel since the global phenomenon Pachinko. Titled "American Hagwon," the book is scheduled for publication on 29 September 2026 and promises a deep dive into the Korean cultural obsession with academic success.
The Driving Question Behind the Novel
The 57-year-old writer, who describes herself as an "accidental historian," explained that the lengthy novel grew from a fundamental query. "What do Koreans care most about?" Lee stated. "We're obsessed with education, and it became my obsession over why Koreans care so much." The term 'hagwon' refers to the ubiquitous, for-profit private tutoring centres in Korea, often called cram schools, which offer extra lessons in subjects ranging from English and music to cooking.
A Major New Chapter in a Celebrated Saga
"American Hagwon" marks the third instalment in Lee's planned quartet of works examining Korea and its global diaspora. The series began with Free Food for Millionaires in 2007 and continued with the million-selling Pachinko a decade later. Pachinko was a finalist for the National Book Award, adapted into a popular Apple TV+ series in 2022, and translated into dozens of languages. In 2024, The New York Times ranked it 15th among the best novels of the 21st century.
Her publisher, Cardinal—an imprint of Hachette Book Group—describes the new novel as a profound exploration of "what happens when the rules shift, the world order becomes suddenly unrecognizable and benchmarks of success are no longer a guarantee." The narrative spans from Korea to Australia and Southern California, tracking a middle-class Korean family upended by the Asian financial crisis as they strive to regain their footing.
Meticulous Research and a Personal Touch
Reagan Arthur, Cardinal's Publisher and Senior Vice President, praised Lee's work: "Almost 10 years after Pachinko, Min Jin Lee continues to give shape to history's seismic shifts in her fiction." Lee's process is notoriously thorough. Her stories are built on extensive research, reflection, travel, and interviews. "I want to hold up a mirror to society, and, as the kids say, do a 'vibe check,'" she remarked.
Born in Seoul and moving to New York City at age seven, Lee's own path through the elite Bronx High School of Science, Yale University for history, and Georgetown University for law informs her understanding of preparation and pressure. She laughingly recalls her father's nickname for her: "the turtle," because she is slow but "very steady." This meticulous approach ensures "American Hagwon" will be one of the most keenly awaited literary releases of the year.
