Korean Canadian author Jinwoo Park has released his debut novel "Oxford Soju Club," a layered story that weaves together themes of identity, migration, and heritage through the lens of Korean diaspora communities. The book represents a significant achievement for the first-time author, who navigated years of rejections before finding success through an unconventional path involving social media and serendipity.
The novel opens with the murder of a North Korean spy named Doha Kim, prompting his partner and protégé, Yohan Kim, to search for answers using only the cryptic clues "Soju Club" and "Dr. Ryu." What begins as a potential spy thriller evolves into a complex exploration of immigrant experiences and the challenges of navigating multiple cultural identities. The story connects characters from North Korea, Korean American communities, and newly emigrated Koreans living in Oxford, England.
Park conceived the initial idea while studying at the University of Oxford, where he earned his master's degree. "I conceived this kernel idea when I was in Oxford, and I was strolling down the street thinking a car chase would be nice here," Park explained. "And then from there, I got the idea of a buddy cop story between a North and a South Korean spy. Or a 'Rush Hour' for Koreans." However, he admitted his first draft was problematic, describing it as "a mess" that included "a North Korean nuclear scientist, a nuke briefcase and there's a little girl involved that they have to save" along with "car chases and doing donuts and drifts in very quaint touristy squares."
Through multiple rewrites, Park discovered a more meaningful story that reflected his own experiences as part of the Korean diaspora. Born in Korea, Park moved to Vancouver at age 11, then to Long Island, New York, before returning to Canada and eventually studying in England. Living outside ethnic enclaves or larger Asian Canadian and Asian American communities, he often felt like an outsider, experiencing what he calls "dual alienation" – feeling foreign both in the country where you live and in your homeland.
This theme of dual alienation permeates the novel through its main characters. Yohan, the North Korean spy, must adopt mannerisms that match his cover while remaining constantly guarded. Yunah, a CIA agent, navigates the complex balance between her Korean and American identities. Jihoon, who owns the Soju Club, manages relationships with both Korean and local customers while wrestling with nostalgia, particularly through his preference for "This," a Korean cigarette brand he has imported as a way to maintain connection to Korea.
As the plot develops, the story deepens beyond intrigue and mystery to explore themes of self-discovery, ethical complexity, and the quiet process of reconciling who a person is expected to be versus who they want to be. These elements transform what could have been a formulaic thriller into a nuanced examination of diaspora identity and belonging.
Park's journey to publication was far from conventional. After completing the book, it took years and many rewrites before finding a home with Dundurn Press, a Canadian publishing company. Following another publisher rejection in 2023, Park decided to build a social media following and use the platform to archive his work, choosing TikTok as his medium.
Initially, Park recorded videos of himself doing translations and offering insights into translation and literature. As an accomplished translator who won the Literature Translation Institute of Korea's Translation Award for Aspiring Translators in 2023, he brought expertise to his content. His videos included translations of popular media like BTS lyrics and provided insights about history, Asian literature, and Korean news. This approach helped his account, jinwoopark0721, gain over 20,000 followers.
The breakthrough came when Park received an unexpected direct message from someone interested in publishing his book. "I didn't know who this was; her profile picture was [the actor] Ma Dong-seok," he recalled. "So this Don Lee-looking person DMs me and says, 'I like your videos, and it says on your website that you have a manuscript.'" Initially skeptical, Park had almost given up on "Oxford Soju Club," but this unexpected opportunity led to guidance, additional rewrites, and ultimately a publishing deal in December 2023.
The writing and publication process proved therapeutic for Park, helping him feel more comfortable with both sides of his heritage. "I don't need to prove I'm Korean," he explained. "I don't need to prove how Canadian I am or how special I am. I realized, I'm at a much more stable and secure state of existence. And I think that helped me to have a new perspective and what it means to be in Korea as well."
Park's debut comes at a time when Asian voices in North American literature are experiencing unprecedented growth and visibility. This surge is driven by a publishing industry increasingly committed to diverse voices and global cultural phenomena like the Korean wave. As audiences engage with Korean culture, curiosity about Asian stories – including those of Asian American, Asian Canadian, and diaspora communities – has grown, creating fertile ground for novels exploring identity, migration, and heritage.
"Oxford Soju Club" is already receiving positive reviews, including praise from fellow translator and writer Anton Hur. Park is currently on a book tour across North America and hopes to have the novel translated into Korean in the future. The book is currently available in Canada and will be released in the United States on September 30, with a worldwide release to be announced later. More information is available at jinwoo-park.com.
