{
  "id": 19849758,
  "title": "Book excerpt: \"American Hagwon\" by Min Jin Lee",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/book-excerpt-american-hagwon-by-min-jin-lee",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-13T19:06:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CBS News",
    "slug": "cbs-news",
    "url": "https://www.cbsnews.com/news/book-excerpt-american-hagwon-by-min-jin-lee/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In her third novel, American Hagwon, Min Jin Lee focuses on Korean immigrants who prioritize education to ensure their children's success in America. The story revolves around a family and their interactions with a private tutoring center, Eagle Hagwon. Tom and Clara, the parents, are observed as Mido, their shy daughter, is interviewed by Helen, the center's owner. Mido expresses her desire to study with Yun and her commitment to completing all her homework. Clara and Tom express their pride in Mido's achievements, while Helen believes in her children's potential, despite their recent grades not accurately reflecting their abilities.\n\nHelen faces a challenging situation when she learns about the waitlist for new students at Eagle Hagwon. She explains that it is unlikely, in fact impossible, for her to accept Mido and her siblings as new students, even if their assessments demonstrate that they would be a good fit. This conversation highlights the difficulties and challenges faced by Korean immigrants who are determined to provide their children with the best education possible in America.",
  "summary": "The bestselling author of \"Pachinko\" returns with her third novel, about Korean immigrants emphasizing education to best prepare their children's future in America.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}