Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner is a memoir that explores themes of grief, identity, and the author’s Korean heritage. It chronicles Zauner’s experiences growing up as a Korean-American, her complicated relationship with her mother, and how these aspects of her life influence her career as a musician. The book also delves into her mother’s battle with cancer and Zauner’s struggle to cope with her loss. Throughout the memoir, Zauner reflects on her cultural heritage, the food that connects her to her roots, and the healing power of music. It’s a poignant and deeply personal exploration of love, loss, and self-discovery.
Crying in H Mart | Summary
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner is a memoir that explores themes of grief, identity, and the author’s Korean heritage. It chronicles Zauner’s experiences growing up as a Korean-American, her complicated relationship with her mother, and how these aspects of her life influence her career as a musician. The book also delves into her mother’s battle with cancer and Zauner’s struggle to cope with her loss. Throughout the memoir, Zauner reflects on her cultural heritage, the food that connects her to her roots, and the healing power of music. It’s a poignant and deeply personal exploration of love, loss, and self-discovery.
Chapter 1 Summary – Crying in H Mart
The author discusses her profound emotions and memories tied to H Mart, an Asian supermarket. She emphasizes how the store holds memories of her Korean heritage, serving as a place of connection to her mother who passed away. Through vivid descriptions, she recounts moments of grief and nostalgia triggered by familiar foods and experiences at H Mart. The author’s mother was a central figure in her life, expressing love through food. She shares how she relied on her for access to her Korean culture and how her passing has left her grieving. She describes her unique relationship with her mother, centered around Korean cuisine, and how that shaped her love for food.
Throughout her visits to H Mart, the author’s emotions fluctuate between fond memories and overwhelming sorrow. She remembers experiences from her childhood, like enjoying rice cakes and dumplings with her mother, and feeling waves of grief as she encounters similar scenes at the supermarket. The author observes various people at the H Mart food court, each with their own stories and connections to their heritage. She ponders the idea that everyone present is seeking a sense of belonging through the food and culture they find at H Mart. The author reflects on her mother’s absence and how the store serves as a bridge to her memory, allowing her to hold on to her Korean identity.
Chapter 2 Summary – Save Your Tears
The narrator’s mother passed away on October 18, 2014, and the narrator often struggles to remember the exact date. She ponders whether the forgetfulness is due to not wanting to remember or because the date seems insignificant compared to the challenges she faced. Her mother was 56 years old at the time of her death, and the narrator was 25. The mother’s age was significant as it was the same age at which she had met the narrator’s father and embarked on a new chapter of her life. The mother’s love was expressed through her attention to small details, particularly in food preferences. The mother’s ability to remember people’s preferences and dislikes in food showcased her subtle way of expressing affection. The narrator’s father is described as someone who is obsessed with dates, especially those related to significant events and holidays. He experiences emotional shifts around these dates and expresses his grief to the narrator through messages.
The text then delves into the past, recounting the story of how the narrator’s father traveled to South Korea in response to a job opportunity, where he met the narrator’s mother. The narrator describes her childhood home surrounded by nature, and how she developed a sense of isolation due to the lack of neighbors and playmates. The mother’s attention was both comforting and overwhelming, as she was a dedicated homemaker who cared deeply for her family. Her strict rules often clash with the narrator’s natural inclinations, creating tension between them. The mother’s love for collecting delicate items and her belief in the power of appearance influenced the narrator’s behavior and views. Despite the challenges, the narrator found a way to connect with her mother through a shared appreciation of Korean cuisine. The text portrays the parents as not being traditionally cultured in literature or the arts, but she shared their deep appreciation for fine food.
Chapter 3 – Double Lid
The narrator reminisces about her trips to Seoul, South Korea, during summers. She expresses her fondness for Seoul’s vibrant city life, living in an apartment, and the sensory experiences of the city, even when confronted with its less pleasant aspects. The narrative introduces the family dynamic, focusing on the relationship between the narrator, her mother, and various family members in Seoul. This includes her close bond with her cousin Seong Young and her aunts (Nami Emo and Eunmi Emo), providing insights into her daily activities and shared experiences. The chapter delves into the narrator’s changing perception of beauty during her Seoul visits. She recounts how she felt appreciated for her appearance in Seoul, particularly for having a “small face” and “double eyelids,” which are considered attractive features in Korean culture. This realization contrasts with her experiences in her hometown in Oregon. The chapter then takes a poignant turn with the death of the narrator’s grandmother (Halmoni), describing the impact on her mother and the family.
Chapter 4 – New York Style
In this chapter, the narrator reflects on her life four years after college, describing her feelings of underachievement. She has a degree in creative writing and film but is working multiple part-time jobs, including playing in a relatively unknown rock band called Little Big League. She lives in Philadelphia, where her father grew up before moving to Korea. The narrator reminisces about her teenage years, feeling suffocated by her mother’s attention and touch. The chapter then shifts to the narrator’s college experience at Bryn Mawr, where she struggled with mental health issues but eventually graduated with honors. She decided to stay in Philadelphia, hoping her band would succeed, but it hasn’t gained much recognition. She describes her unconventional living situation in a rundown house and expresses a sense of floundering in her artistic pursuits.
The narrator plans a trip to New York to meet with a friend in the music industry, hinting at a potential career change. However, she receives a phone call from her mother during the trip, revealing that she has been diagnosed with cancer. Despite her shock, she tries to maintain a semblance of normalcy during the evening, meeting with her friend Duncan. The chapter explores the complexity of the narrator’s relationship with her mother and introduces Peter, her supportive boyfriend. It ends with Peter rushing to comfort the narrator upon learning about her mother’s illness, highlighting the strength of her bond.
Chapter 5 – Where’s the Wine?
The narrative then shifts to the author’s teenage years, where she describes her growing depression, difficulty sleeping, and a sense of aimlessness. her academic performance suffers, and she finds it hard to connect with her mother, who values academic success. During this difficult time, the author discovers solace in music. She became deeply passionate about it, downloading songs, discussing music online, and immersing herself in the indie music scene of her hometown. Music becomes an essential part of her identity and a coping mechanism. The author persuades her mother to buy her a guitar, and she starts taking lessons. She formed a band and began performing at local venues. The music becomes a way for her to express herself and connect with others. However, her pursuit of music creates a rift with her mother, who is focused on her academic success. The author’s grades drop, and she begins to rebel against her mother’s wishes. She questioned the necessity of college.
The author’s academic performance deteriorates further, leading to despair. She contemplates self-harm and even has thoughts of suicide. The relationship with her mother becomes increasingly strained as she struggles to understand and help her child. Eventually, the author’s mother intervenes, seeking therapy and medication for her child to address her mental health issues. This action is met with mixed emotions from the author. In a moment of intense conflict, the author’s mother reveals a shocking secret – that she had an abortion after the author’s birth because of her challenging behavior as a child. This revelation leaves the author shocked and hurt.
Chapter 6 – Dark Matter
In this chapter, the author reflects on her return to her childhood home to be with her mother. She expresses her desire to make amends for past behavior and become the perfect daughter. The chapter highlights the mother-daughter relationship, emphasizing the author’s willingness to care for and impress her mother. The author reminisces about her childhood and how her father, who had a rough past, played a role in her life, providing tales of his youthful exploits. She describes his transformation into a responsible provider for the family. The chapter portrays the father as a figure with a complex past and evolving roles within the family. The author vividly describes her teenage years, recounting stories of sneaking out with friends and her longing for freedom. These nostalgic recollections provide context for the author’s return home and how her perspective on life has evolved over time. The chapter also touches on the author’s efforts to reconnect with her mother and the prospect of learning to cook Korean dishes from her friend.
Chapter 7 – Medicine
In this chapter, the author recounts the challenges and emotions surrounding her mother’s battle with cancer. The narrative begins with the author taking care of her mother at home, trying to prepare suitable meals as her condition deteriorates. The author reflects on her family’s visits to a Korean grocery store and her mother’s experiences in Korean language school. The narrative delves into the author’s complex relationship with her father, exploring his troubled past and his struggles to cope with her mother’s illness. The father’s emotional breakdown and reliance on substances are depicted. The chapter also highlights the author’s deep care and concern for her mother as she describes her deteriorating health, including her loss of appetite and physical weakness. The mother’s hospitalization becomes necessary due to her condition worsening, and the author’s father’s emotional instability. The chapter concludes with a poignant scene where the author helps her mother with a bath, witnessing her distress over her hair loss due to chemotherapy.
Chapter 8 – Unni
The author reflects on her experiences while caring for her mother who is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Three Korean women, including Kye, have joined her to help with caregiving. Kye, in particular, plays a significant role in caring for the author’s mother. Kye arrives to assist with caregiving and brings a sense of calm and inspiration. She initiates activities like planting seeds and taking walks to uplift the spirits of the family. Kye’s presence provides hope for the mother’s recovery, and the term “unni” (Korean for “big sister”) is used to address her. The author discusses her own struggles with identity, especially during her adolescence when she tried to fit in with her American peers and downplayed her Korean heritage. She recalls feeling like an outsider and being uncomfortable with her Korean identity.
The chapter delves into how the author’s own health deteriorates due to stress. Kye’s presence in the household becomes more prominent, and the author and her father feel conflicted about her role and influence. Kye’s reserved personality and unfamiliar cultural background make her a somewhat enigmatic figure in their lives. The author grapples with feelings of jealousy and paranoia regarding Kye’s caregiving role. The chapter also highlights a poignant moment when the author tries to assert herself and express her concerns about her mother’s health, but Kye’s traditional Korean approach to caregiving clashes with the author’s more cautious approach.
Chapter 9 – Where Are We Going?
The narrative shifts to when the author was in Seoul, visiting her friend Eunmi Emo during a summer language program. She describes her experiences, such as enjoying Korean fried chicken and spending time in cafes on Garosu-gil, observing the stylish locals. The chapter begins with a conversation between the author and Eunmi about a symbolic animal game. She discusses which animals she would give up during a journey, with each animal representing different priorities in life, like pride, wealth, career, love, and family. Eunmi is portrayed as a significant figure in the author’s life. The narrative jumps forward two and a half years, revealing that Eunmi has been diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. Despite her healthy lifestyle, the diagnosis is shocking and challenging to accept. Eunmi undergoes extensive chemotherapy treatments but eventually passes away on Valentine’s Day. Her last words reflect her uncertainty about what comes next. The chapter describes the funeral proceedings in detail, emphasizing the role of family and tradition.
The author’s mother undergoes changes in her life after Eunmi’s death, taking up art classes and forming new connections. The narrative shifts to focus on the author’s mother, who is also battling cancer. She opts for chemotherapy despite her initial reluctance and the side effects. The author leaves for the East Coast, where she is part of a band on tour. She feels torn between her responsibilities at home and her passion for music. The author’s father delivers the news that the chemotherapy has not been effective in shrinking the tumor. This news devastates the author. Despite her condition, the author’s mother expresses a desire for the family to take a trip to Korea to visit and say goodbye to her homeland. The author is deeply moved and emotional about this. The author and her mother share an emotional phone call where she discusses the upcoming trip, but the author is overwhelmed by sadness and grief.
Chapter 10 – Living and Dying
The narrator’s journey begins with a flight from Philadelphia to Seoul, where she plans to meet her family for a vacation. During the drive to the airport, the narrator casually suggests marriage to her companion, Peter, reflecting the emotional tension surrounding her family. Upon reaching Seoul, she is met with grim news: her mother is severely ill and has been hospitalized. The narrator paints a vivid picture of her mother’s deteriorating condition, describing painful symptoms like fever, bloating, and herpes. She recounts the mother’s futile attempt to overcome the illness before the trip. Despite her initial hope that she would recover quickly, her condition worsened, leading to the cancellation of her plans. The narrator becomes her mother’s primary caregiver at the hospital, navigating the challenges of her various symptoms, from mouth sores to edema.
The chapter delves into the emotional turmoil of the narrator, who grapples with the idea of her mother’s suffering and the blurred line between living and dying. During this period, the narrator raises the idea of getting married to Peter, recognizing the urgency of the situation and the need for her mother to witness the event. As time passes, the family’s vacation plans are canceled, and the narrator continues to support her mother through the hospitalization. The chapter emphasizes the mother’s resilience and the bond between her and the narrator. The narrator reflects on the profound changes in her relationship with her father, fearing that without her mother, they might drift apart as a family. Amidst these challenging circumstances, she decides to proceed with planning a wedding, viewing it as a symbol of hope and a way to focus on something positive. Ultimately, the mother’s condition improves slightly, leading to her release from the hospital.
Chapter 11 – What Procellous Awesomeness Does Not in You Abound?
In this chapter, the narrator recounts how she met Peter when she was twenty-three. It all began when she attended a birthday celebration at a smoky bar called 12 Steps Down in South Philly. Peter, an intriguing and attractive figure, stood out by choosing to sing a challenging Billy Joel song during karaoke night. The narrator was instantly captivated, particularly by Peter’s unique singing style and infectious laugh. Despite Peter’s initial unavailability, the narrator is determined to win him over and spends several months trying to get closer to him. She even secured a part-time job for Peter at the Mexican-fusion restaurant where she worked. However, her efforts landed her in the friend zone. As Restaurant Week approached, the narrator and Peter were scheduled to work together. However, she received shocking news that Peter had been brutally attacked while walking home from a party with a friend. He was seriously injured, with a crushed orbital bone and bleeding in his brain. The narrator’s feelings for Peter deepened during this difficult time, and she visited him in the hospital with books and sunflowers. When Peter returned to work after his recovery, it became evident that his feelings toward the narrator had changed, and she embarked on a romantic relationship.
Chapter 12 – Law and Order
In this chapter, the narrator reflects on the days following a wedding celebration, which had temporarily distracted her from the looming reality of her mother’s terminal illness. Her father plans various trips and activities to create moments of joy and diversion in an attempt to combat the disease’s relentless progression. However, as her mother’s condition worsens, the family’s focus shifts. The narrator spends most of her time by her mother’s side, watching TV and holding hands, as her energy diminishes. The atmosphere in the house becomes quieter and more somber. Hospice care is introduced, but the family resists moving her mother to a hospital bed in her room, finding it too distressing.
A pivotal moment occurs when the narrator and her mother watch a TV interview with an actress who discusses her mother’s death, bringing them both to tears. This emotional connection prompts the mother to reflect on how her child had always clung to her in the past, and she shares a poignant moment of understanding and affection. Later that night Kye returns home after a gambling outing and announces that she has won a TV. Despite her jubilant demeanor, tensions rise when she talks to her mother in Korean, and her father confronts her about her mother’s imminent passing. An argument ensues, leading to Kye’s decision to abruptly leave the house.
Chapter 13 – A Heavy Hand
In this emotionally charged chapter, the narrator describes the events that unfolded after her mother’s death from cancer. Two days after Kye left, the mother experienced extreme pain, likely due to the progression of her illness. Her cries of pain were heart-wrenching, and the family desperately administered pain medication to provide relief. The mother eventually fell into a deep sleep, but the experience left the narrator with a sense of betrayal by the doctor who had promised a pain-free end. In the days that followed, the mother’s condition deteriorated further, and she was mostly immobile. Hospice care was provided, but there was little the family could do beyond ensuring her comfort.
The narrator’s father and the narrator herself began clearing out the house, trying to get ahead of the inevitable. The narrator shares a poignant moment when her father confides in her about ending her mother’s suffering by holding her nose. When the mother eventually passed away, the narrator, her father, and Peter, the narrator’s husband, found themselves in her room. The family stayed with her body for a while, allowing time to process their grief. The narrator took off her mother’s wedding ring and placed it on her own finger. The chapter continues with the narrator choosing an outfit for her mother to be cremated in and the difficult task of dressing her stiff body. Later, she waited for the professionals to take her away, marking a heart-wrenching moment. The family then takes a trip to a familiar orchard, seeking a brief escape from the overwhelming grief, but the normalcy of the world around them contrasts starkly with her profound loss.
Chapter 14 – Lovely
The chapter delves into the aftermath of the narrator’s mother’s death and the preparations for her funeral. Despite the mother’s wish for cremation and limited instructions regarding her service, the narrator takes on the responsibility of choosing the cemetery, and headstone and writing the eulogy. She feels compelled to honor her memory, even though she is an atheist. The arrival of family members, including Nami and Seong Young, who have lost their mother and sister to the same disease, adds emotional weight to the situation. During the funeral, the narrator is asked to read the eulogy, which she does despite feeling nervous. She later reflects on her restrained display of emotions during the service. After the funeral, the family has a dinner where the narrator finally releases her emotions, crying uncontrollably. This emotional release provides a sense of catharsis. The next morning, the narrator feels a sense of responsibility to care for Nami and Seong Young, who is staying with her. She prepares a traditional Korean meal, Doenjang Jjigae, seeking to provide comfort through this gesture. A significant moment occurs when the narrator discovers a letter left at her door. It’s from her mother’s art teacher, Yunie, who fondly recalls the time spent together during art classes. The letter expresses love and memories of the narrator’s mother and suggests that her mother’s teapot should be returned. This letter prompts the narrator to explore her mother’s artwork and signatures over time, revealing her evolving artistic journey.
Chapter 15 – My Heart Will Go On
After the narrator’s mother passes away, her family home becomes a haunting reminder of her collective inability to save her from cancer. The narrator, along with her father, starts packing her mother’s belongings, disposing of unused items, and canceling her credit cards. In an attempt to escape the overwhelming sadness in her home, the narrator and her father decide to take a trip to Southeast Asia, specifically Vietnam. She books separate rooms in luxurious hotels, explores various places, and tries to distract herself from the profound loss she has experienced. Throughout their journey, she grapples with grief and the difficulty of processing it. She visits Hanoi, where she silently takes in the beauty of Hạ Long Bay but also feels the weight of her sorrow. She experiences a misadventure on an overnight train to Sapa and rents motorcycles to explore terraced rice fields. Yet, these moments of wonder are consistently followed by reminders of her loss and her inability to communicate her pain to strangers.
In Huê, the tension between the narrator and her father comes to a head during a restaurant visit. A misunderstanding about the narrator’s uneaten seafood salad leads to a heated argument. The narrator storms out, reflecting on her strained relationship and the hurtful things her father said. Feeling alone and upset, the narrator seeks solace in a local bar named Cafe L’ami, where she meets a Vietnamese girl named Quing. Despite the language barrier, She connected through music and shared emotions. The narrator finds herself on stage, singing and embracing the liberating power of music, even if only for a brief moment. The following day, the narrator and her father reunite and continue her journey to Hội An, a picturesque town in Vietnam. She explores Old Town and witnesses the serene paper boat traditions along the canal.
Chapter 16 – Jatjuk
The chapter describes the narrator’s experiences and emotions following her return from Vietnam, where she had hoped to find healing and closeness in dealing with her grief over her mother’s death. However, the trip did not provide the solace she had sought. The narrative takes a sudden turn when the narrator receives a late-night phone call from her father, who has been in a car accident near her home. Despite the initial panic, the father survives the accident, though he is injured. She goes to the hospital, where the police question the father about the incident. The narrator is relieved that her father is alive but is angry and worried about his safety. Back at home, the father is in pain from the accident and takes prescription drugs, which make him even more depressed. The narrator takes on the role of caring for her father but also grapples with resentment and exhaustion. As the days pass, the narrator turns to cooking as a form of therapy, preparing hearty and comforting meals like chicken pot pie, steaks, lasagnas, and Thanksgiving dishes.
The act of cooking helps her cope with her grief and provides a sense of normalcy. With Christmas approaching, the narrator and another person, Peter, pick out a Christmas tree and decorate it, trying to maintain some semblance of tradition without her mother. She also discovers her mother’s collection of Christmas decorations, stored meticulously. The narrator then embarks on the emotionally challenging task of sorting through her mother’s belongings, donating, keeping, or discarding various items. This process helps her confront her feelings of loss and closure. Additionally, the narrator stumbles upon her mother’s recipe for pine nut porridge (jatjuk) and learns how to make it by following Maangchi’s online tutorial. This dish becomes a source of comfort and reconnection with her Korean heritage, providing a moment of solace amidst the turmoil of her grief.
Chapter 17 – Little Axe
In this chapter, the narrator and her partner, Peter, embark on her honeymoon in South Korea. She starts by visiting Gwangjang Market in Seoul, where she explores the vibrant food scene, indulging in various traditional Korean dishes and reminiscing about the narrator’s mother’s fondness for certain foods. The chapter vividly describes the bustling market, its alleys filled with stalls offering diverse Korean delicacies. From Seoul, the couple takes a train to Busan, enduring rainy weather but enjoying the luxury of a hotel booked as a wedding gift from the narrator’s aunt, Nami. She takes pleasure in rooftop pool dips, savoring the coastal view despite the rain. The visit to Jagalchi Fish Market in Busan provides an immersive experience of South Korea’s seafood culture, complete with fresh catches, seafood stalls, and delicious local delicacies. Her honeymoon adventure then leads them to Jeju Island, known for its natural beauty. She explores Cheonjiyeon Waterfall, marveling at the cascading waters and the rocky pool below. The couple indulges in more Korean cuisine, particularly seafood, which she savors while recalling the narrator’s mother and the memories tied to shared family meals. Throughout her journey, the narrator reflects on the significance of these places and her strong emotional connection to them. The trip represents an attempt to reconnect with her Korean heritage, especially the culinary aspects, and to honor her mother’s wishes and memories.
Chapter 18 – Maangchi and Me
In this chapter, the author provides a detailed account of her post-honeymoon life in the United States. She describes her efforts to establish a new life, including job hunting in New York City, where she secured a job as a sales assistant for an advertising company. The author discusses her emotional struggles, particularly recurring dreams about her deceased mother, which evoke complex feelings of grief and longing. These dreams involve various scenarios where the mother is found to be alive but incapacitated, leading to a mix of emotions from guilt to relief. The chapter also explores the author’s attempt at therapy, which proves somewhat ineffective, prompting her to seek alternative forms of self-care. She turns to cooking Korean dishes, guided by YouTube vlogger Maangchi, and finds solace in the process. Cooking becomes a way for the author to reconnect with her Korean heritage, as each dish she prepares evokes memories of her family and homeland. A significant portion of the chapter is dedicated to the author’s meticulous process of making kimchi, a traditional Korean dish. She describes the selection of ingredients, the preparation of cabbage and radishes, and the careful mixing of the kimchi paste, emphasizing the sensory experiences and emotions tied to this culinary practice. Making kimchi becomes a form of therapy for the author, helping her process her grief and find comfort in her cultural roots.
Chapter 19 – Kimchi Fridge
In this chapter, the author recounts her experience at a Korean bathhouse, reflecting on her cultural identity and the absence of her mother, who played a significant role in connecting her to her Korean heritage. The narrative begins with the author’s reminiscence of childhood visits to a similar bathhouse with her mother for traditional Korean scrubs, a bonding experience that provided a link to her cultural roots. As the author undergoes the scrub at the bathhouse, she interaction with the bathhouse attendant, who asks about the author’s Korean-American background. This exchange prompts the author to think deeply about her identity and heritage, especially in the context of the loss of her mother, who was a source of guidance and connection to her Koreanness. Throughout the chapter, the author grapples with feelings of longing and loss, particularly regarding her fading connection to her Korean heritage and the uncertainty of her identity without her mother. The bathhouse serves as a poignant backdrop for this emotional journey, offering a serene environment for the author to reflect on her complex emotions and memories. The author’s experience in the bathhouse culminates in a moment of emotional release, as she lies in a heated room and tears stream down her cheeks.
Chapter 20 – Coffee Hanjan
The chapter begins with the author reflecting on her move to Brooklyn with her partner, Peter. She mentioned a record she had created earlier in a cottage on her parents’ property, released under the name Japanese Breakfast, and how it began gaining attention about a year after moving. The author had initially moved to New York to focus on a corporate career but decided to pursue music after her album received interest from a small label in Maryland. This decision marked the beginning of her journey into music. The author’s album was released in April, and soon after, she embarked on a five-week tour opening for the artist Mitski across the United States. Simultaneously, an essay she had written won a prize from Glamour magazine, leading her to leave her corporate job and fully commit to music.
The chapter shifts to her experiences during a tour of Asian cities, including Hong Kong, Taipei, Bangkok, Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Osaka. The author’s band is met with enthusiastic audiences and experiences the local cultures and cuisines, a stark contrast to her experiences touring in North America. The tour concludes in Seoul, South Korea, which holds deep emotional significance for the author, as it’s her birthplace. The concert there is a powerful moment for her, considering her mother’s connection to the city, and the songs she performs are inspired by her memories of her. After the tour, the author, Peter, and her family explore South Korea together, indulging in local delicacies, shopping, and reminiscing about her mother’s favorite places. The chapter ends with a heartwarming scene where the author and her family engage in karaoke, attempting to reconnect with her Korean heritage by singing a song that had meaning to her mother.
Michelle Zauner is a musician, singer-songwriter, and author known for her indie-pop project Japanese Breakfast. In addition to her music career, she gained recognition as an author with her memoir, “Crying in H Mart,” which explores her Korean heritage, family dynamics, and her mother’s battle with cancer. Her work is deeply personal and resonates with audiences through its authenticity and vulnerability. Michelle Zauner has made significant contributions to both the music and literary worlds, garnering critical acclaim for her creative endeavors.