Oxford Soju Club: Author Jinwoo Park Talks About Finding Authentic Narratives in Writing, Wearing Multiple Cultural Masks, and Navigating the Publishing Industry
Canadian-Korean author Jinwoo Park joins host Holly Hughes on today’s episode of The Holly Hughes Podcast for a conversation about his journey of cultural identity, the immigrant experience, and the creative process behind his debut novel, The Oxford Soju Club.
Jinwoo and Holly explore themes of belonging, the challenges of fitting in, and the expectations placed on immigrant children. Jinwoo talks about his academic pursuits, the influence of family expectations on his career choices, and the importance of humor in storytelling.
The world we live in is full or different cultures, each of which has its own distinct traditions and heritage that help weave the massively diverse quilt that is humanity. It’s not uncommon for some of us to identify with more than one culture, which can both enrich our lives, as well as shroud our real identities in mystery.
Canadian-Korean author Jinwoo Park joins host Holly Hughes on today’s episode of The Holly Hughes Podcast for a conversation about his journey of cultural identity, the immigrant experience, and the creative process behind his debut novel, The Oxford Soju Club.
Jinwoo and Holly explore themes of belonging, the challenges of fitting in, and the expectations placed on immigrant children. Jinwoo talks about his academic pursuits, the influence of family expectations on his career choices, and the importance of humor in storytelling.
Connect with Jinwoo Park online at jinwoo-park.com. Preorder your copy of The Oxford Soju Club here.
Get your copy of Holly’s book, Real Not Perfect: How to Become Your Happy, Authentic Self.
Sign up for Holly’s email newsletter here.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Jinwoo Park and His Work
02:59 Exploring Identity and Cultural Masks
05:56 The Journey of Fitting In
08:59 Academic Pursuits and Personal Growth
12:01 The Transition from Pre-Med to Writing
14:51 Cultural Expectations and Career Choices
18:03 Family Background and Immigrant Experience
20:57 The Path to Oxford and Creative Writing
23:57 Finding Voice and Narrative in Writing
26:59 The Importance of Engaging Storytelling
29:54 Reflections on Writing and Personal Insights
36:23 Cultural Connections and Identity
39:04 Navigating Academic Expectations
41:19 The Journey of Writing and Creativity
44:49 Experiences in the Adult Content Industry
52:30 The Path to Publication
59:58 Finding a Literary Voice
01:07:55 The Writing Process: Struggles and Triumphs
01:09:18 Finding the Right Mentor in Publishing
01:11:39 The Importance of Editing and Objectivity
01:12:08 Connections and Networking in the Literary World
01:16:53 Exploring Themes of Identity and Culture in Writing
01:18:34 The Role of Honorifics in Translation
01:24:01 Cultural Understanding Through Language and Translation
01:27:30 The Journey of a Writer: From Inspiration to Publication
