{
  "id": 10119629,
  "title": "We are the authors of our own story",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/we-are-the-authors-of-our-own-story",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-27T02:57:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/opinion/20260927/we-are-the-authors-of-our-own-story"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nDrawing 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.\n\nOne 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.\"\n\nLee'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.",
  "summary": "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…",
  "key_points": [
    "Lee Min Jin reflects on Korean diaspora in 2026 Class Day address",
    "Time is teacher, pivotal moments shape identities",
    "Tea gathering at Yale inspired her to write Pachinko"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Lee Min Jin's reflections on her life and writing underscore the importance of slowing down to appreciate pivotal moments, which ultimately shape one's identity and can lead to profound creative achievements.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "We are the authors of our own story",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/we-are-the-authors-of-our-own-story-10122726",
        "published": "2026-09-27T03:17:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}