We are the authors of our own story
Last week, I watched the 2026 Class Day address delivered by Lee Min Jin, the world-renowned author of "Pachinko." Her reflections on the Korean diaspora, spanning from Japanese colonialism to the present, resonated deeply with me. Thanks to her celebrated novel, readers worldwide came to understand the hardships Koreans endured both in Japan and in Korea during those colonial years. Her speech…
In her 2026 Class Day address, Lee Min Jin, the acclaimed author of "Pachinko," shared her profound reflections on the Korean diaspora, spanning from Japanese colonialism to the present day. Her novel played a crucial role in helping readers worldwide comprehend the hardships Koreans faced during those colonial years in both Japan and Korea.
Drawing upon Greek philosophical concepts, Lee emphasized that "time is our teacher." She advocated for recognizing pivotal moments over constant urgency. As she grew older, Lee came to understand that life's most enduring lessons are not gained by rushing through tasks, but by appreciating the moments that truly shape our identities.
One such transformative moment, according to Lee, was attending a tea gathering at Yale. It was there she learned about a Korean-Japanese boy who tragically took his own life following relentless bullying. This heart-wrenching incident served as the catalyst that inspired Lee to pen "Pachinko."
Lee's resilience is commendable, as she dedicated 38 years to researching, interviewing, and studying the complexities of the Korean diaspora, resulting in her groundbreaking novel.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- We are the authors of our own story koreatimes.co.kr
