The Movie Minari Seen Through Coaching Psychology

Abstract

The movie Minari, written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung, has received international, critical acclaim since its release at the Sundance Film Festival on 26 January, 2020. Some praise it as a typical American film. Chung, born in Denver, Colorado, is an American citizen, raised by Korean immigrants in rural Arkansas; and all but two of the actors are American citizens. Others understand Minari as yet another example of Hallyu, or the “Korean Wave,” which is a reference to the many ways South Korean pop culture has been exported across the world. In this paper, we use the academic framework of Coaching Psychology to interpret Minari as a harbinger of consolation and hope for the world – a message that transcends culture and country. This message is of particular importance during a moment defined by the challenges of a global pandemic and when Asian Americans are experiencing a disturbing rise in hate crimes.