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      • Cambodia

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      • Lebanon
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      • Malaysia
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      • Nepal

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      • Pakistan

      • Palau
      • Palestine

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      • Qatar

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      • Singapore

      • Solomon Islands

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      • Sri Lanka
      • Syria
      • Taiwan
      • Tajikistan
      • Thailand
      • Tibet
      • Tokelau
      • Tonga
      • Turkey

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      • United Arab Emirates
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Asia In-Depth Podcast: A Conversation With 'Pachinko' Author Min Jin Lee

May 21st, 2020
Min Jin Lee, author of Pachinko
Courtesy of Min Jin Lee

asiasociety · A Conversation With Pachinko Author Min Jin Lee

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The Korean-American novelist Min Jin Lee is one of the most acclaimed storytellers in the United States. Her 2017 novel Pachinko, which tells the story of a Korean family that migrates to Japan, was a finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction. It received a sterling recommendation from none other than former U.S. President Barack Obama, who called it a "powerful story about resilience and compassion."

If there was ever a time for resilience and compassion, it's now, as the world struggles to suppress the coronavirus. In this episode of Asia In-Depth, Lee reflects on her childhood in Elmhurst, a New York City neighborhood devastated by COVID-19, and speaks about the importance of art in times of crisis. She also discusses the scourge of anti-Asian racism and provides a glimpse into how she goes about her work. Lee spoke with Asia Society Executive Vice President Tom Nagorski.

asia blog
min jin lee
pachinko
books
asia society podcasts
asia in-depth
coronavirus
racism
new york
tom nagorski
barack obama
race & racism

About the Author

Profile picture for user Matt Schiavenza

Matt Schiavenza is the Assistant Director of Content at Asia Society and Senior Editor of Asia Society Magazine. His work has appeared at The Atlantic, The Daily Beast, The New Republic, The Wire China, and strategy + business among other publications.

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