KSP partnered with GYOPO for their Korean American Young Adult Fiction Today event on Saturday, April 16. The event consisted of a panel discussion moderated by Amy Kahng (@queenkahng) and conversations with the authors at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, featuring several Korean American authors: Mary H.K. Choi (@choitotheworld), Sarah Suk (@_sarahsuk), David Yoon (@davidoftheyoon), and Nicola Yoon (@nicolayoon).

KSP Program Associate Sarah Jho and KSP youth participant Lucy Hwang (@bloucatt) organized two Zoom meetings in March and April 2022 to read “Frankly in Love” by best-selling author David Yoon with other KSP high school students, Emily Kim, Lila Kim, and Nadia Cho. We openly discussed Korean identity, interracial relationships, and the experiences of second- and third-generation Koreans.

At the event, our reading group had the opportunity to discuss David's writing process, intentions, and so much more with him. It was inspiring to hear from authors of color who have created protagonists of color. We gained insight into the ever-changing meaning of “Korean-ness,” prejudice in Hollywood, and the creative writing process.

Special thanks to Gyopo, California Humanities, and the Korean American Community Fund of San Francisco for sponsoring this amazing program.