by Frances Cha
Min Jung Lee walked me through the storied corridors of Random House long before my book was ready, and after an early reading, told me that she was certain I would be published one day soon. Without her, I never would have had the courage to send out my manuscript.
Ten years ago, I first read about Janice Lee in an Elle magazine interview while sitting in a doctor’s office in Korea. Little did I know that she would become such a critical figure in my writing career. Thank you, Janice, for your encouragement and generosity.
After moving back to New York, I was able to jump-start my rusty writing again thanks to the Columbia Fiction Foundry and weekly workshops at the Center for Fiction with Vanessa Cox Nishikubo and Cindy Jones. I am also grateful to Soo Kong and my immensely supportive Dartmouth Korea family led by the estimable Dr. Michael Kim of Yonsei University, Henry Kim, Jaysen Park, Dr. Euysung Kim, and Kevin Woo. My talented journalist uncle, Chun Kyoung Woo, always answers the random questions I have with his thoughtful theories and introduces me to the coolest people in Korea.
Whenever I visit my uncle and aunt’s house in Daejeon and stay up listening to tantalizing family legends, I am inspired to plot out another book. I really need to start recording those late-night stories.
For crucial feedback in times of need, special thanks to dear friends Jean Pak and Violet Kim, who read various versions of the manuscript.
Christie Roche, mommy friend, lifehack consultant, and daily therapist—what would I do without you? I owe you my sanity, or what’s left of it. May the barrage of our daily texts and abrupt phone calls never dwindle.
For their beautiful souls and acts of generosity that often left me speechless in our family’s dark times, and for all the laughter and overabundance of food in the good times, Annie Kim and Jeff Lin.
The friends of my parents who have been there for my family after my father passed away—thank you for all the stories, the support, the meals, and the love. I wish I could express my gratitude better in person.
My parents-in-law, Jun-jong Lee and Haesook Lim, have taken on our children in many crucial moments while I was writing this book. Thank you, 아버님 and 어머님, for loving and caring for them always the way you do, and for all your efforts for our family. Many thanks also for the warm support of the extended Lim family in Marlton.
Soon Hyouk Lee and Michelle Lee, for unparalleled love, guidance, and support as the stalwart backbone of our family. Nieces Maia and Aster are always paving the way for our girls and showing us how things should be done.
My brother, Chris, has always been overwhelmingly enthusiastic about my writing ever since I can remember. I love you and miss you so much—hopefully we will get to live on the same continent again one day. My sister-in-law, Jenny Jeeun, you are such a sweet and upbeat force in our lives—I always feel so blessed that you went from being a friend to joining our family.
For reading several libraries of books to me when I was a child, for staying up with me all night to prep for thirteen subjects throughout my Korean school years, for teaching me her high standards even though I cannot keep up with them, and for all her sacrifices for her children, I am wholly indebted to my extraordinary mother, Minkyung Shon. Growing up listening to her riveting stories and commentaries on life, I had no choice but to become a writer. My father, who I miss every day. I wish he was here to see me through this chapter of my life.
My little daughters, Cora and Avie—the source of all my extreme desperation and extreme rapture—you are ever-brimming wells of inspiration. Cora said to me this morning, “I love you more than anything,” while Avie said, “I wub-EW!” for the first time, which summarizes my feelings for them exactly.
Finally, to my husband, Soon Ho Lee, who throws aside anything and everything he is doing to read revisions deep into the night and on morning commutes, who spends hours discussing characters and word choice and cultural nuances, who has supported all aspects of the writing of this book with inexplicable, steadfast faith—you are a wonder that I will never get used to. Thank you always.
About the Author
FRANCES CHA is a former travel and culture editor for CNN in Seoul. She grew up in the United States, Hong Kong, and South Korea. A graduate of Dartmouth College and the Columbia University MFA writing program, she has written for The Atlantic, The Believer, and the Yonhap News Agency, among others, and has lectured at Columbia University, Ewha Womans University, Seoul National University, and Yonsei University. She lives in Brooklyn.
FrancesCha.com
Twitter: @Frances_H_Cha
Instagram: @FrancesChaWrites
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