Susan Lee's young adult novel "Seoulmates" seems to put a fresh spin on familiar tropes about relationships, identity, and pursuing one's dreams. The book introduces us to Korean-American protagonist Hannah Cho, who finds her world turned upside down when her longtime boyfriend Nate unexpectedly breaks up with her. This rupture appears to initiate a deeper self-reckoning within Hannah about the role her Korean heritage plays in her identity.
Hannah has a complex history with her biracial background—she seems to have suppressed her Korean side in the past to better assimilate among her predominantly white social circles. But now K-pop and Korean dramas are surging in popularity among Hannah’s friends, leaving her feeling excluded and out of touch with the very culture she once distanced herself from.
The irony comes full circle when Hannah reconnects with Jacob Kim, an old best friend who happens to be a Korean drama star seeking respite from fame in their hometown of San Diego. As Hannah navigates reconciling with Jacob and still-conflicted feelings about Nate, her life begins to take on the melodramatic story arcs of a K-drama itself.
While this narrative setup around relationships and identity appears rather formulaic on the surface, Lee seems poised to infuse it with sensitivity, humor, and authentic cultural commentary about the nuances of the Korean-American experience. The blended Korean and American cultural elements also provide a unique lens to explore the themes of navigating biculturalism, young love, and celebrity. Fans of coming-of-age stories with a dash of Korean flavor may find "Seoulmates" strikes the right chords.
Hannah has a complex history with her biracial background—she seems to have suppressed her Korean side in the past to better assimilate among her predominantly white social circles. But now K-pop and Korean dramas are surging in popularity among Hannah’s friends, leaving her feeling excluded and out of touch with the very culture she once distanced herself from.
The irony comes full circle when Hannah reconnects with Jacob Kim, an old best friend who happens to be a Korean drama star seeking respite from fame in their hometown of San Diego. As Hannah navigates reconciling with Jacob and still-conflicted feelings about Nate, her life begins to take on the melodramatic story arcs of a K-drama itself.
While this narrative setup around relationships and identity appears rather formulaic on the surface, Lee seems poised to infuse it with sensitivity, humor, and authentic cultural commentary about the nuances of the Korean-American experience. The blended Korean and American cultural elements also provide a unique lens to explore the themes of navigating biculturalism, young love, and celebrity. Fans of coming-of-age stories with a dash of Korean flavor may find "Seoulmates" strikes the right chords.