Korean-American writer Lee Min-jin, who has wowed the U.S. critics with a debut novel about the conflicts between Korean immigrant parents and their children.

Lee Min-jin, 38, released her full-length novel "Free Food For Millionaires" in May. USA Today was the first to review the book in a pre-publication write-up in April. Several outlets including Newsweek magazine and the Associated Press followed suit, with the New York Times even devoting a whole section to the author in July.

Lee immigrated to the U.S. with her family in 1976 at age seven and settled in New York. Supported by her hard-working parents, she graduated from Yale University and Georgetown University Law School. She then worked as an attorney, becoming a success model for fellow ethnic Koreans.

Twelve years ago Lee quit the legal profession and settled down as a stay-at-home mom. She found time to write a novel based on her experiences as a second-generation Korean-American.

The character of her novel, Casey Han, is the daughter of Korean immigrants who run a dry cleaning business. Her parents are proud of their daughter, a Princeton graduate admitted to Columbia Law School. But without telling her father, she writes to Columbia to defer a year.

"Do you know what it's like for me to have to go to a school like that? To be surrounded by kids who went to Exeter and Hotchkiss, their parents belonging to country clubs?" Casey says. "I'm sick of hearing how bad I am."

Her father tries to change her mind. "When I was your age, I sold kimbop on the streets," he tells her. Casey replies, "I've always worked hard ... just as hard as you work at the store. Maybe harder." The disappointed dad kicks her out.

The story tackles the difficulties of parents and children of an immigrant family who hold different values. The conflict here is between a child and a parent who has realized his American dream and now wants his daughter to enter America's high society.

"Skillfully manipulating multiple points of view, Lee reveals the intricacies of New York's caste system while having Casey navigate her career (banking versus hatmaking), love, family obligations, money and belief," Newsweek wrote.

Her ability to narrate a complex story of serious issues has also been praised. U.S. critics have compared her to Jane Austen and George Eliot, noting her rich narrative across a wide range of topics, including love and friendship, career aspirations and adultery.

In a phone interview with the Chosun Ilbo, Lee, who lived near the World Trade Center, said that Casey reflects her own experiences. Like Casey, her life in the U.S. began in poverty in Queens, New York. "Our family of five lived in a one-room apartment with several mice," she said.

Lee suffered from Hepatitis B from age 16 to 35 and had to quit working after pregnancy deteriorated her liver. As a lawyer, she worked 12 hours a day including weekends. Lee, who has a nine-year-old son, said, "I lost fame and fortune after quitting my job but I realized that a wife and mother is also a fabulous job," hinting that Casey's decision was also hers.

"Free Food For Millionaires" is Lee's fourth novel but the first to be published. "I thought I would be an instant success as a novelist but my first work was turned down by the publishers," she confessed. On whether her Korean background affects her identity as a writer, she said, "I believe the life of Koreans is worthy of artistic expression."

(englishnews@chosun.com )