by David Yoon
2020 Finalist
Frank Li is a Korean-American high school student torn between two lives. At school, he’s part of a diverse group of smart friends. At home, he tries to be a model son — working in his parents’ store, socializing with other Koreans, and following his immigrant parents’ expectations. When Frank begins a relationship with a white girl, he and Korean-American Joy Song begin fake dating as a cover for their parents. Frank is soon forced to reconsider everything he thought he knew about relationships, identity, and race.