Life Stories of Korean American Youth (Hermit Kingdom Sources in Korean-American Studies)

This book contains writings of 10 luminous Korean-American teenagers, who are already playing leadership roles in their high schools and communities. Grace Jungmin Ko, the editor, was selected for the prestigious New Jersey State Governor's School in Engineering for 2010 summer. Also, Editor Ko has conducted productive research in dentistry at Harvard University School of Dental Medicine. Furthermore, Grace Jungmin Ko is a gifted artist and had her Solo Art Show at Closter Art Gallery in the fall of 2010. This book contains pictures (in color) of Grace's art works with her own explanations. Grace Jungmin Ko desires to follow in her father's footsteps and become a dental scholar and dentist. Grace's father owns the biggest dental hospital in South Korea. This book contains biographical account of Dr. Chol Su Ko, Grace's father, and his rise to greatness in the Korean world of dentistry. Kenny Yoon, a junior at Horace Mann School in New York, is a part of the gifted music program at The Julliard School. Kenny describes how he came to play violin and how he hopes to bring joy to people through music. Edward Kim is a talented swimmer, who aspires to attend West Point (US Military Academy). He is currently a sophomore at Ridgewood High School and hopes to make the US Olympic Team in swimming. Ami Park, who attends a Korean Buddhist monastery, describes her identity and her effort to bring joy to the world as an entertainer and a future movie star. This book contains touching accounts of struggles and achievements. It is an important primary source material for understanding Korean teenage experience in the United States. Thus, this book is valuable for Korean Studies and Ethnic Studies. Harvard University Dental School Professor Myung W. Brian Chang, DDS, FACP, states: "I wish that Jung Min and other Korean-American Teenagers' future dreams will come true." Yale University Medical School Professor Seung Lee, M.D., Ph.D. FASN, writes: "Jung Min has been instrumental in gathering together a collection of true life stories for this volume that gives a picture of the amazing pool of Korean young leaders." (This book also contains over 100 color photographs of contributing authors.) Read more