{
  "id": 10116301,
  "title": "[REVIEW] 'What's Eating Jackie Oh?' explores food, family and identity",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/review-whats-eating-jackie-oh-explores-food-family-and-identity-10116301",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-27T02:37:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/books/20260927/review-whats-eating-jackie-oh-explores-food-family-and-identity"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Patricia Park's riveting debut, \"What's Eating Jackie Oh?,\" readers are drawn into the world of a Korean American teenager navigating the challenges of identity, family expectations, and a burgeoning passion for cooking. The story unfolds as Jackie, a high school senior from New York, participates in the reality TV show \"Burn Off! High School Edition!,\" showcasing her culinary talents alongside other talented teens across the nation.\n\nFrom the very beginning, Jackie distinguishes herself from her peers, no longer fitting the mold of the diligent \"AP-everything kid\" who attends supplementary hagwon classes, as her parents had once envisioned. The burden of living up to these unattainable expectations, coupled with the shame of her older brother languishing in prison, weighs heavily on Jackie's shoulders. To cope, Jackie seeks solace in the world of recipe-making, a refuge that transports her to her personal \"happy place.\"\n\nFor Jackie, this mental haven is just a short distance away from her bustling reality. Melty's, a cherished deli in midtown Manhattan run by her Korean immigrant grandparents, serves as the physical embodiment of her sanctuary. As early as 5 a.m. on weekends, Jackie can be found at Melty's, whipping up breakfast delights and finding comfort in the familiar surroundings of her grandparents' establishment. Through Jackie's eyes, Park masterfully explores the complex interplay between food, family, and personal growth, crafting a compelling coming-of-age narrative that resonates with readers.",
  "summary": "Welcome to one of the most compelling coming-of-age books I have ever sampled. A Korean American girl in New York is one of a dozen high schoolers selected from around the U.S. to demonstrate their culinary skills on the first season of reality TV cooking show “Burn Off! High School Edition!” Garnish this competition with Gen Z dialogue and you have Patricia Park’s compulsively readable \"What’s…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "[REVIEW] 'What's Eating Jackie Oh?' explores food, family and identity",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/review-whats-eating-jackie-oh-explores-food-family-and-identity",
        "published": "2026-09-27T02:17:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}