Frankly in Love

Joy Song is the second love interest of protagonist Frank Li. Joy has streaks of green in her hair, which capture Frank’s attention and come to represent her adventurous spirit and willingness to live outside of society’s norms. She is initially introduced as a confident, independent young woman, a childhood friend of Frank. She is intelligent, ambitious, and driven, as evidenced by her acceptance into Carnegie Mellon University and room full of tech and engineering projects. Joy is proud of her accomplishments and has a clear vision for her future. Her academic pursuits and determination inspire Frank to strive for excellence in his own life.

However, Joy is not immune to the complexities and challenges of love and relationships. Like Frank, she grapples with cultural expectations and the pressures of her own family’s values. She is aware of the potential backlash and disapproval she might face due to her relationship with Wu Tang, a Chinese American boy. Despite this, Joy is willing to navigate the difficulties of an interracial relationship alongside Frank, showing her courage and commitment. Although her relationship with Wu fails, she remains committed to choosing her own path.

Throughout the novel, Joy is unafraid to voice her thoughts. Her presence in Frank’s life as both friend and girlfriend prompts him to question his own beliefs and biases, pushing him to navigate the tensions between his Korean heritage and American upbringing. Although Joy and Frank’s romance ends the same way as their previous relationships (with Wu and Brit, respectively), the experience still proves valuable—as they were able to confide in and grow together as fellow Korean Americans and longtime friends.

Brit Means is the first love interest of protagonist Frank Li, and plays a crucial role in his journey of self-discovery. She is initially described as someone who has a deep curiosity for the world around her; this sense of wonder and intelligence attracts Frank to her. Throughout the novel, Brit is depicted as a daring girl who makes Frank feel comfortable to be himself (if not a bit nervous), with her even going so far as to “break into” neighborhood cars for fun. Brit’s presence in his life brings joy and laughter, making her an essential source of support for him.

As a white girl dating Frank, a Korean American boy, Brit represents a challenge to the traditional expectations of Frank’s Korean parents (who want their son to date and marry a Korean girl). Through her character, the novel explores themes of cultural identity and interracial relationships. Brit is well aware of her own privilege, choosing to go by “European-American” rather than white, and calling out her parents when they expect Frank to be an expert on Korean culture. While Brit and Frank’s romance ends poorly due to Frank’s deception, Brit’s openness drives him to be more honest with himself and others going forward.

Q Lee is protagonist Frank Li’s best friend and plays a crucial role in the novel, providing companionship and thought-provoking conversations. Q is introduced as someone with whom Frank shares a deep bond, a loyal and dependable person who shares Frank’s love for gaming and makes himself available during both good times and bad—such as when Frank’s father is hospitalized. The boys’ intimacy is reflected in the British slang they use to communicate with each other.

One of Q’s defining characteristics is his curiosity. He possesses a sharp intellect and a passion for learning, particularly in the fields of science and mathematics. He often engages in philosophical discussions with Frank, questioning societal norms and challenging their own perspectives on life, love, and friendship. Another defining characteristic is Q’s sensitivity. He is empathetic and understanding, providing emotional support and guidance to Frank. He cries when he learns about his friend’s hardships, showing his investment in their friendship.

Furthermore, Q’s character highlights the theme of cultural identity and the complexities of navigating more than one culture. As a Black American, Q shares similar experiences with Frank and understands the struggles they both face in balancing their cultural heritage and their American upbringing. Q’s character arc also showcases resilience. Despite facing disappointments, such as not getting into his top choice for college, Q remains optimistic. In Chapter 37, he kisses Frank before they part ways for college, revealing his sexual orientation and longtime crush on Frank—despite this love being unrequited. The kiss shows that, like Frank, he wishes to move forward with more honesty and authenticity.