American Seoul: A Memoir

Written by Helena Rho

Narrated by Helena Rho

She was everything everyone else wanted her to be. Until she followed her own path.

Helena Rho was six years old when her family left Seoul, Korea, for America and its opportunities. Years later, her Korean-ness behind her, Helena had everything a model minority was supposed to want: she was married to a white American doctor and had a beautiful home, two children, and a career as an assistant professor of pediatrics. For decades she fulfilled the expectations of others. All the while Helena kept silent about the traumas—both professional and personal—that left her anxious yet determined to escape. It would take a catastrophic event for Helena to abandon her career at the age of forty, recover her Korean identity, and set in motion a journey of self-discovery.

In her powerful and moving memoir, Helena Rho reveals the courage it took to break away from the path that was laid out for her, to assert her presence, and to discover the freedom and joy of finally being herself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: May 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781713652052

Helena Rho

Helena Rho is a three-time Pushcart Prize–nominated writer whose work has appeared in numerous publications, including Slate, Sycamore Review, Solstice, Entropy, 805 Lit + Art, and the anthologies Rage and Reconciliation and Silence Kills. A former assistant professor of pediatrics, Helena received her doctor of medicine in 1992 and has practiced and taught at top-ten children’s hospitals: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. She earned her MFA in creative nonfiction from the University of Pittsburgh. For more information, visit www.helenarho.com.

Reviews for American Seoul

[reader1009-863136 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

nonfiction memoir, Korean-American doctor/writer/single mom, 1st generation immigrant by way of Uganda (TW/CW: car accident trauma, abusive relationship, childhood sexual abuse, suicidal ideation)wasn't sure what to expect in this memoir but Rho turns out to be a talented writer whose story is riveting from the first page. I had no problems tearing straight through this book, and really hope to see more from her soon.

[bereanna · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This stunning memoir includes many elements that interest me: Pittsburgh locations, doctor education and experiences, South Korean visits, and mental health. Helena Rho is expected to become a doctor by her mother, achieves the distinction, but is unhappy in the role. She works through her childhood and marriage traumas and is easier on herself at the end. A rather spiteful memoir that one should read only if their life is in order, otherwise, it can make you feel pretty anxious. Wondering if her daughter is estranged? Worth following this woman.