[Book Review] Okhui Lee’s ‘A Girl From Busan’ is a gripping tale of immigration and the American Dream
While ‘A Girl From Busan: A Mother’s Prayer’ reflects on the harsh realities of life as an immigrant, at its core this is a story of hope — with a dash of show business.
Korean Americans in attendance at a Korean Church in Denver (including Okhui’s Mother Pong and her daughter Marylin). Image: Okhui Lee.
Chronicling the life of Okhui Lee, this autobiographical memoir is a vivid account of one woman’s experience with immigration and the harsh realities of the American Dream. This gripping and oftentimes heartbreaking story — that details drug addiction, loss, and struggling to belong — retains a sense of hope at its core.
In Nagoya City, Japan, Okhui was born under a Japanese name (Tomiko) and her family could only use this name for her in public — a requirement of the assimilation policy employed by the Japanese Emperor during the Second World War.
Following Japan’s surrender, Okhui recounts embarking on a journey back to Korea and how the Korean expatriates were ‘excited to share in the hope of a bright new future by returning to their motherland.’
Though things were hopeful, life in Korea was difficult for young Okhui. The return home was marked by the death of her younger brother and the departure of her mother, leaving her feeling lonely and isolated. Seeking a sense of belonging, Okhui found solace in the Munhwa Theater and the American movies on show.
“At that time, the movie theater and American movies represented a vital escape from the harsh realities of poverty and war,” says Okhui. “They offered me a glimpse of hope and a dream of a better life, inspiring me with visions of a world far removed from my struggles.
“Watching stars like Ginger Rogers on the silver screen fueled my aspirations and provided a sanctuary where I could forget my troubles, even if just for a while.”
With low prospects of marrying a Korean following the birth of her first child out of wedlock, Okhui fell in love with an American soldier. Three months after their wedding, Okhui’s husband was transferred to the US, where Okhui, her son Dennis, and the couple’s newborn baby Marylin would eventually join them.
Baby Marylin. Image: Okhui Lee.
Though Okhui had found joy in the American movies she loved, life in America was much harder than the American Dream would make it seem: “As my family grew, I needed to find a job, but opportunities were scarce.”
As a young girl, Okhui had learned how to dance by mimicking the gisaeng at her Aunty Deoki’s yojeong (tea house). This skill would help her later in life during the times her family in America struggled to put food on the table.
Working several jobs as a burlesque dancer to provide for her family, led to the end of her marriage — though Okhui refused to overstep certain boundaries at work and was proud that she could provide for her family. A chance encounter soon led Okhui to up-stakes, moving from Hollywood to Hawaii to perform at the famous Club Hubba Hubba — leaving her mother and children behind until she could afford to move them closer to her.
Images: Okhui Lee.
Okhui explains, “I made good money and provided my children with a quality education. But chasing after the Hollywood dream can be a disappointment if we do it for the wrong reasons. This is why I realized my life experiences can help those who wish to succeed with lessons from what I’ve learned.”
In 1971, Okhui and a fellow hostess opened their own bar called Club Yobo (yobo meaning ‘sweetie’ or ‘honey’ in Korean). Despite worries regarding her financial situation, the bar became a hit with locals and business was booming. Unfortunately, the business partners were a poor match for one another and Okhui had to seek other options. She later used her Japanese name (slightly altered to be more recognisable for Korean’s) to open Domiko’s Lounge.
Okhui in Domiko’s. Image: Okhui Lee.
Despite struggling with poverty, illness, and fraught relationships (both romantic and familial) Okhui’s resilience and strength allowed her to provide a more fulfilling life for her mother, and children. She also became an immigration agent for the rest of her family, allowing them to move freely to the United States to follow their own American Dreams.
She explains: “In the past I realized I’ve also helped my parents and siblings escape poverty by bringing them to America. I believe I’ve done my part in helping others, a value instilled by my mother and my faith in God.
“To me, this is the true American dream — a story of family, country, and a spiritual connection.”
Eventually, Okhui’s life transformed from that of a hostess bar owner to an actress — ironically securing her first speaking role as a mamasan (a woman in charge of a bar or nightclub) of a Korean bar that would be filmed at the former Club Hubba Hubba.
As the desire to work in entertainment spread throughout her young family, her first son, Dennis, moved to LA to build his acting and music career — eventually settling into a career in film and becoming one of the leading young Korean American filmmakers in Hollywood.
Okhui on the set of Dragon Wars — co-produced by her son, Dennis. Image: Okhui Lee.
As the Hallyu Wave continues to flood into the West, Okhui reflects on the part Korean Americans have played in the recent widespread popularity of Korean culture: “It’s still amazing to me how Korean culture, especially music, has gained global popularity.”
While establishing his own career in the Entertainment industry, Okhui also continued to work behind the scenes helping to produce Dennis’s debut CD and working with him on the K-pop music video for first-generation stars Ivy and J. Y. Park.
“Even today, we continue to collaborate with Koreans on movies and documentaries, including work with individuals in Hawaii.” She explains, “I feel a sense of connection to the history of the Hallyu Wave, having been involved with Ivy, a singer from the first generation alongside J. Y. Park.”
She continues: “My son has produced major films and co-produced works that were part of the initial wave of Korean cultural exports. While this is all part of history now, it’s crucial for young Koreans today to understand their roots.
“What I find particularly heartening is seeing young Europeans or Africans speaking fluent Korean in YouTube videos, sharing Korean culture worldwide. As a Korean American, it makes me proud that we’ve been part of these cross-cultural relationships since the 1970s.”
Okhui (left) with Ivy (middle). Image: Okhui Lee.
Struggling with drugs, depression, and the death of his biological father, Dennis lost touch with the film industry. Following his decision to leave rehab, Dennis and Okhui attended Bible study classes — developing further their relationship with God.
Acknowledging that her son would benefit from getting back into film making, Okhui took the risk of supporting ‘Haiti Street Kids’ — a documentary created by Dennis’s long-time colleague director Youngman Kang. The finished documentary, named by Okhui’s daughter Marylin, ‘Innocence Abandoned: Street Kids of Haiti’ won the Monaco Charity Film Festival Award in 2013.
Okhui in Haiti with one of the ‘street kids’. Image: Okhui Lee.
Still residing in Hawaii, Okhui is a self proclaimed ‘wildlife enthusiast who cares for injured wild birds’ and, like her mother before her, ‘nurtures her garden to beautify her home.’ She also works within the Korean community and church and is the President of Cornerstone Multimedia which she co-created with her son, Dennis.
Reflecting on ‘A Girl From Busan: A Mother’s Prayer’, Okhui explained why now was the right time to tell this story: “I believe it's the right time to tell this story because it's important for my children to know where their roots began and to understand their identity.
“This legacy started with me,” she continues, “but it has grown into something much more significant. We must always remember our origins to understand where we are headed in the future. It's similar to the message in the "Gangnam Style" music video, which highlights how a poor area in Korea became affluent, and the younger generation began to forget their family's heritage.
“Our family has been part of the entertainment industry for many years and there are ups and downs of the industry. We feel we can help those who have tried their best to make it but maybe came up short. We wish to remind the next generation there is more than just 'making it' in the industry. Keep off of drugs and those things that bring the artist down.
“Focus on family, loved ones and even my pets are important to me now. But most of all we wish to inspire others to focus on what is important in life. That's why I wrote the book.”
Though at times heartbreaking, ‘A Girl From Busan: A Mother’s Prayer’ shares a hopeful message. While religion plays a part in the faith and hope that is at the core of this memoir, it is the tenacity and hard work of one girl from Busan that gives this story its deeper meaning.