Minor Feelings Character Analysis

Cathy Park Hong

Hong is the author of Minor Feelings and a prominent Korean American poet and writing professor. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, then educated at Oberlin College and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop in… read analysis of Cathy Park Hong

Theresa Hak Kyung Cha

Theresa Hak Kyung Cha was a Korean American poet and photographer who published the influential book Dictee in 1982, just a few days before a security guard, Joseph Sanza, raped and murdered her. Her… read analysis of Theresa Hak Kyung Cha

Erin

“Erin” is Hong’s pseudonym for her college roommate, a successful Taiwanese American visual artist who remains a close friend to this day. The essay “An Education” focuses on Hong’s relationship with Erin and their… read analysis of Erin

Helen

“Helen” is Hong’s pseudonym for a close college friend who, along with their mutual friend Erin, fed her creative imagination and inspired her to become a poet. However, Helen was also violent and highly… read analysis of Helen

Cathy Park Hong’s Father

Cathy Park Hong’s father grew up relatively poor in a village near Seoul, and as a child, he watched a U.S. soldier nearly murder his own father (Hong’s paternal grandfather) in cold… read analysis of Cathy Park Hong’s Father

Cathy Park Hong’s Mother

Cathy Park Hong’s mother migrated with her husband (Hong’s father) from South Korea to the U.S., where they raised their two daughters (Hong and her sister). Hong emphasizes that her relationship with… read analysis of Cathy Park Hong’s Mother

Cathy Park Hong’s Paternal Grandfather

Cathy Park Hong’s paternal grandfather was nearly murdered by American soldiers during the Korean War, when they mistook him for someone else. Hong’s father, who was a young child, never forgets the incident… read analysis of Cathy Park Hong’s Paternal Grandfather

Cathy Park Hong’s Maternal Grandmother

Cathy Park Hong’s grandmother was born in North Korea but carried Hong’s mother across the border to South Korea on foot during the Korean War. Later, she frequently visited the U.S., where she suffered… read analysis of Cathy Park Hong’s Maternal Grandmother

Richard Pryor

Richard Pryor was a Black comedian who became a household name across the U.S. in the 1970s and 1980s. Today, many consider him one of the greatest stand-up performers of all time. Cathy Park Hong… read analysis of Richard Pryor

Eunice Cho

“Eunice Cho” is Cathy Park Hong’s euphemism for a Korean American therapist whom she briefly sees in New York. After one appointment, Cho refuses to continue treating Hong, for mysterious reasons that she prefers… read analysis of Eunice Cho

Minor Characters

Bernadette Cha

Bernadette Cha is Theresa Hak Kyung Cha’s sister who appears in Cha’s video Permutations.

John Cha

John Cha, Theresa Hak Kyung Cha’s brother, is a professional translator and biographer who wrote a book about his sister’s death (and his personal involvement in investigating it).

Theresa Hak Kyung Cha’s mother

Theresa Hak Kyung Cha’s mother is the central figure in Cha’s book, Dictee.

Sandy Flitterman-Lewis

Sandy Flitterman-Lewis is a film scholar who was a close friend of Theresa Hak Kyung Cha. In fact, Cha was supposed to meet with Flitterman-Lewis on the night of her murder, and Hong interviews Flitterman-Lewis about the case.

Myung Mi Kim

Myung Mi Kim is a prominent Korean American poet. Cathy Park Hong took a class with her in college and has been significantly influenced by her work ever since.

Joseph Sanza

Joseph (“Joey”) Sanza is the serial rapist and security guard who raped and murdered Theresa Hak Kyung Cha in 1982.

Yuri Kochiyama

Yuri Kochiyama was a Japanese American civil rights activist who played a prominent role in the civil rights movement.

Minor Feelings Characters