Discover the untold stories of courage, love, and cultural clash in Lee Geum-yi’s “The Picture Bride,” as we journey through the hearts of Korean immigrants in early 20th-century America. This powerful and emotionally charged novel invites readers into the intimate world of Korean picture brides during the early 20th century.
- About the South of Seoul Book Club
- Book Recommendation By Melissa Edwards-Whittington
- The History Behind Picture Brides
- The Term “Picture Bride”
- About The Author of “The Picture Bride”
- My Experience Reading “The Picture Bride”
- More Commentary And Reviews On “The Picture Bride”
- Online Purchasing Link
- Find More Book Club Recommendations
About the South of Seoul Book Club
If you are familiar with the series, skip ahead to learn more about “The Picture Bride.”
Looking for book recommendations? Welcome to the South of Seoul book club. We recommend a book every month. Such recommended books explore topics like 1) South Korean history or culture, 2) the complexity of cross-cultural life, 4) the exploration of life within the diaspora experience, and 5) lenses on Korean culture around the world.
Commitment to Accessibility
South of Seoul volunteers take book accessibility into consideration when recommending titles. We consider:
- Purchasable in English In Korea: Many translated titles can’t actually be purchased in English in Korea,
- Audio Version Available: Many people find audiobooks easier to consume.
- Online Versions.: International residents can’t afford to travel with many books. Also, many books may not be available in digital form from within Korea.
Commitment to Diverse Lived Experiences
South of Seoul volunteers seek to put lived experiences at the forefront of their recommendation choices. When considering authors we look for such things as:
- Korean authors writing about their lived experiences in Korea.
- International residents writing about their lived experiences in South Korea.
- Ethnic Koreans writing about their lived experience in other countries.
Reading about Korean culture from a variety of perspectives may provide readers with a greater understanding of the country and culture.
Commitment to Supporting Mental Health
South of Seoul also includes book recommendations that support the lives and mental health of our community. This means that books may tackle the issues related to living between cultures. This may include topics such as culture shock, language, relationships, and more.
Book Recommendation By Melissa Edwards-Whittington
September’s South of Seoul Book Club recommendation, “The Picture Bride” is brought to you by Melissa Edwards-Whittington of the KimchiRednecks. Edwards-Whittington has lived in Korea since 2017. She and her husband, Chuck, formed the KimchiRednecks YouTube channel to give people living outside of Korea or those coming to Korea, a glimpse of life here in Korea. Together with their three shih tzus, they post weekly videos about places to eat, things to cook, places to visit, or life in general living in Korea.
The History Behind Picture Brides
The book centers around Korean Immigrants to Hawai’i. The first wave of Korean immigration to the United States began in the late 19th century, with most immigrants coming from the southern provinces of Jeolla and Gyeongsang. These early immigrants were mostly males who came to the United States for work. However, they faced many challenges, including discrimination, language barriers, and employer exploitation. As they settled in the U.S., they sought to establish families and maintain their Korean cultural ties.
Additionally, during that time, Asian women could not easily immigrate to the US. They couldn’t immigrate because the United States enacted restrictive immigration laws, such as the Page Act of 1875 and the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Due to this, Asian females were effectively banned from entering the country. These laws created a gender imbalance within the Korean immigrant community.
Therefore, to address the shortage of Korean females in the U.S., some Korean immigrants turned to matchmaking agencies in Korea and the United States. Through these agencies, Koreans could exchange photographs and correspondence, allowing them to choose prospective spouses before meeting in person.
The Term “Picture Bride”
The term “picture bride” comes from Korean females sending such photographs of themselves to potential husbands in the United States. These photographs served as a form of introduction, allowing couples to become familiar with each other before marriage. For many picture brides, the journey to the United States brought many challenges, including language barriers and cultural differences. Also, they often faced difficult living conditions and had to adapt to a new way of life in a foreign land.
The legacy of Korean picture brides is significant. Their stories of perseverance, resilience, and cultural adaptation highlight the strength of immigrant communities in the face of adversity. In recent years, scholars and authors like Lee Geum-yi have explored the experiences of Korean picture brides in literature and research. Therefore, they have shed light on this lesser-known aspect of Korean and Asian American history. Finally, their stories serve as a testament to the enduring human spirit and the complexities of identity and love.
For a more detailed look at picture brides, check the YouTube links below and this article from The Korea Times.
About The Author of “The Picture Bride”
The author of “The Picture Bride,” Lee Geum-yi, is a South Korean author. She is well-known for her literary works, often exploring themes related to Korean culture, history, identity, and women’s experiences. Lee Geum-yi’s ability to capture the nuances of human experiences has earned her recognition among readers and scholars interested in Korean literature and the immigrant experience. Therefore, her work resonates with audiences, shedding light on important aspects of Korean history.
My Experience Reading “The Picture Bride”
Prior to reading “The Picture Bride,” I was unaware of the history attached to this story. The story is beautifully written and informative. Therefore, I was able to immerse myself in the lives of the picture brides in the story.
Life in Korea in the 1900s offered few opportunities for Korean females to better themselves. At this time, Korean males had immigrated to the US, specifically Hawaii, for work opportunities. However, the males find themselves alone and want to have companionship and families. Therefore, they consulted matchmakers to find brides for them from their homes.
The story centers around Willow, a young Korean woman whose father died fighting the Japanese. Due to the family’s circumstances, she also has to drop out of school and help her mother with the family and business. One day the Pusan Ajumma tells Willow and her mother about life in Hawaii. Willow is told her future husband owns the land and she will be able to go back to school. Since the job of the matchmaker was to ensure the match, the stories Willow hears are to entice her to agree to the marriage.
The novel shows us the lives of several picture brides, from the time that they are preparing to meet their future spouses to the reality of the lives that they will live in Hawaii. However, the Pusan ajumma sold the women lies. Through deception and broken dreams, the picture brides develop a sisterhood. It is a beautiful story of these women who persevere in spite of the lies that they were told to build their lives.
Main Theme of “The Picture Bride”
The main theme of “The Picture Bride” by Lee Geum-yi is the exploration of the challenges and complexities faced by Korean picture brides as they navigate the journey of immigration to the United States in the early 20th century. While the novel touches on several important themes, including love, identity, and cultural clash, the overarching theme revolves around the experiences of these women as they leave their homeland and embark on a new life in a foreign country.
In essence, the main theme of “The Picture Bride” revolves around the challenges, sacrifices, and transformations experienced by Korean picture brides as they navigate the journey of immigration and adaptation to a new country. This theme highlights their resilience, inner strength, and the enduring impact of their experiences on the Korean-American community and their descendants.
More Commentary And Reviews On “The Picture Bride”
The above review contains my thoughts and opinions. However, make sure to read other reviews to have a more rounded perspective toward the book. We all come to each story with our own social/cultural lens. Therefore, others may have perceived this book in a different manner and may help you decide if this is the book for you.
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/23141766.review-picture-bride-lee-geum-yi-scribe/
https://www.betterreading.com.au/review/qa-lee-geum-yi-author-of-the-picture-bride/
Online Purchasing Link
You can purchase The Picture Bride by Lee Geum-yi in English on Amazon.
Find More Book Club Recommendations
Did you like this recommendation? Be sure to explore our other volunteer-recommended books.
South of Seoul Book Club List for 2023
The KimchiRednecks channel was created in September 2018 by Chuck Whittington and Melissa Edwards-Whittington. They moved to Korea in July 2017 with their three Shih Tzu daughters, Sookie, Minion, and Mayhem.
The YouTube channel started as a way to share their lives here with their friends and families back in the states. They both have a deep love for Korean culture, people, and food and love being able to share that with others.
Chuck Whittington graduated from Francis Marion University with a Bachelors in Information Systems Management. He has worked in Information Technology roles for over 20 years. Chuck has always had an interest in Korea and has traveled here many times in the past.
Melissa Edwards-Whittington graduated from Mid-Atlantic Christian University with a Bachelors in Bible and a Minor in Elementary Education. She has worked in various roles in customer service and marketing over the years.
The YouTube channel has many interests just like they do because it is an extension of their lives here in Korea. You will often find videos on their channel about daily life in Korea, cooking, foodie adventures, traveling and exploring, computer and tech pursuits, gaming, and working on the Subaru BRZ.
Over the years, many of their friends have joined them for their videos and adventures because they enjoy sharing their lives with those around them. In addition, they add new interests from time to time, like making moonshine in Korea.
Life is about growing and changing, and the longer the KimchiRednecks live in Korea, the more they learn to love this country and culture and all it has to offer.
