Frankly in Love

Korean American culture refers to the unique blend of Korean and American customs, traditions, values, and practices that have evolved within the Korean diaspora in the United States. It encompasses various aspects of daily life, including language, food, clothing, art, music, literature, and social norms.

Language plays a significant role in Korean American culture, with many Korean Americans maintaining fluency in both Korean and English. Korean cuisine, such as kimchi, bibimbap, and bulgogi, is widely enjoyed and has gained popularity in the mainstream culinary scene. Traditional Korean clothing, such as hanbok, is still worn on special occasions and cultural events. Korean American culture also embraces the arts, including traditional music (such as pansori and samulnori) and modern K-pop, as well as traditional dances and rituals. Literature and film are other media through which Korean Americans express their cultural identity and share their experiences. However, it is important to note that Korean American culture is not monolithic and varies among individuals and generations. Younger Korean Americans may embrace both Korean and American cultural elements, leading to the emergence of a distinct Korean American identity that combines both worlds.

Frankly in Love delves into Korean American experiences and challenges. It explores the immigrant experience of Frank’s parents, who moved from South Korea to the United States. The novel depicts their hard work and sacrifices, as well as the challenges they face in adapting to a new country while trying to preserve their cultural heritage. The novel also delves into the cultural expectations placed on Frank by his parents and the larger Korean community. They want him to date a Korean girl and maintain Korean traditions, highlighting the significance of filial piety and the pressure to conform to cultural norms. Frank’s family attends monthly Gatherings with other Korean families who immigrated together. These Gatherings offer a space where Korean Americans connect, share experiences, and celebrate their cultural heritage. The Limbos, a group of second-generation Korean Americans, bond over their shared struggles and feelings of being caught between their Korean and American identities.

Frank himself has both an English name, Frank Li, and a Korean name, Sung-Min Li. The novel’s use of the Korean language reflects the duality of Frank’s identity. Frank embodies the struggle of navigating two cultures, as he grapples with his Korean identity while trying to fit into American society. David Yoon illustrates the conflicts and self-discovery that arise from this cultural tug-of-war, such as Frank’s desire to date people of other races, and pursue a degree in music rather than education, which conflicts with his parents’ desires. Frank’s parents, like many immigrant parents, hold strong beliefs and adhere to traditional Korean values. The pressure to conform to these expectations adds complexity to Frank’s journey, as he seeks to balance his own desires and those of his parents.

Frankly in Love also tackles the cultural stereotypes and prejudice that Korean Americans often encounter, such as Brit’s parents expecting Frank to know everything about Korean food, or the racist song that patrons of a restaurant sing during Frank and Joy’s date. Furthermore, the novel explores how racism can come from within immigrant communities, such as that between Korean and Chinese Americans. In addressing these issues, the novel sheds light on various forms of racism and the need for empathy.