Free Food for Millionaires

Free Food for Millionaires is a 2007 novel by the Korean American novelist Min Jin Lee. It is Lee’s debut novel, published when she was in her late thirties. The novel received a number of accolades, including being named one of the Top 10 Novels of the Year by The Times of London and a New York Times Editor's Choice. The novel follows the life of Casey Han, a young Korean American woman, and her family and friends; it explores themes of family, cultural identity, and growing up against the backdrop of New York City in the late 1990s.

This guide references the 2017 Grand Central Publishing edition.

Content Warning: The book and the guide reference rape, substance abuse, gambling addiction, domestic violence, and pregnancy loss.

Plot Summary

The novel begins in June 1993; Casey Han has just completed her bachelor’s degree at Princeton University and is 22 years old. Casey has grown up in a working-class Korean American family and often feels conflicted about her values and identity. Casey is unsure of what career path she wants to pursue, which leads to tension between her and her father, Joseph; the tension culminates in Joseph disowning Casey. Casey also discovers that her boyfriend, Jay Currie, has been unfaithful to her; after their breakup, she moves in with a childhood friend, Ella Shim. Ella, who comes from a much wealthier family background than Casey, is engaged to an investment banker named Ted Kim. At Ella’s urging, Ted helps Casey to get a low-level job at the investment firm where he works.

While working in finance, Casey briefly reconciles with Jay and becomes engaged to him; however, Casey knows that Jay cannot relate to her experience as a Korean American woman and that her parents will never accept him. Casey eventually breaks off the engagement. Casey’s mentor, a wealthy entrepreneur named Sabine, encourages Casey to go to business school in hopes of grooming Casey to eventually take over her business, but Casey remains unsure of her career aspirations. Meanwhile, Ella marries Ted and quickly becomes pregnant. Shortly before she is due to give birth, Ella finds out that Ted has been having an affair with a woman named Delia, who works with him. Although Ted begs Ella to forgive him, and they briefly reconcile, Ted and Ella divorce shortly after their daughter, Irene, is born.

Casey begins a romantic relationship with a man named Unu Shim; he is Ella’s cousin. Unu works in finance, but he has a gambling problem; initially, Casey and Unu bond because both of them struggle with their finances and debts. Casey moves in with Unu and begins attending business school in the autumn of 1996. Meanwhile, Ella adjusts to life as a single mother and begins a romantic relationship with a man named David. Ella and Ted engage in conflict over custody of their young daughter, but Ted eventually gives Ella full custody. In February 1997, Unu loses his job and begins relying on gambling as his sole income source. This uncertainty strains his relationship with Casey; she becomes even more determined to secure a high-paying job. In order to be considered for a prestigious investment banking internship, Casey asks for a favor from a former coworker named Hugh. There is a history of sexual tension between Hugh and Casey. Later in the summer, while Casey is working as an intern, she and Hugh have sex during a business trip.

A short time later, Casey confesses her infidelity to Unu; he is furious, ends the relationship, and throws her out. Casey moves in with Sabine. Unbeknownst to Casey, Unu gets evicted a short time later and moves in with Ella and her fiancé, David. Meanwhile, Casey’s mother, Leah Han, develops a crush on Charles Hong, the new director of her church choir. Leah’s infatuation with Charles is innocent, but he sexually assaults her; Leah is ashamed and devastated. She conceals these events until she miscarries a pregnancy resulting from the assault. Casey consoles her mother and reassures Leah that these events are not her fault. In late summer 1997, Casey receives an offer for a full-time position as an investment banker; she can begin this position after completing her second year of business school. However, Casey realizes that she does not want to spend her life working in finance. At the end of the novel, Casey confides to Unu that she is considering turning down the job offer and dropping out of business school. The novel ends with both Unu and Casey at a crossroads; there is some possibility that they may reconcile and recommence their relationship.