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The clash between cherished traditions and the demands of a changing world…

- - - - Appa emphasizes family responsibilities and traditional family values, expecting Jung to be more involved in family matters and the management of the family business.
      - Jung, on the other hand, prioritizes personal growth and self-fulfillment, which may lead to disagreements between them regarding family responsibilities and relationships.
    - - Appa deeply identifies with traditional Korean culture and values. In his view, the words and decisions of elders hold supreme authority, and he maintains respect and obedience towards them at all times. Additionally, he values traditional etiquette and customs, ensuring appropriate manners and behavioral norms in his interactions with others. Appa understands the importance of diligence and frugality. He works hard, manages his household prudently, and firmly believes that wealth accumulation and maintaining family stability can be achieved through hard work and thriftiness. These values are consistently woven into his life and are among his expectations for himself and his family.
      - As a comparison, Jung grows up in Canada, and found more demands in fitting the changing world, and sometimes caused his negligence of his Korean tradition.
    - - Jung & Appa
        
        Jung hoped to achieve success through his own path rather than relying solely on the traditional family business model. And as a comparison, Appa always hope Jung to live a stable life, and obey his instructions. This conflict between Jung's pursuit of personal success in the society and Appa's tradition idea of heritage family business and live stably shaped both Jung and Appa's mind and identity.
- - - - From what Appa told Janet in chapter 14, "For my whole life, I give my life, my story to you. I never asked you anything to return.
        How can you not taking over the store? -Appa, I'm not taking over the store. You're a parent, you're supposed to do." (Ins 66-69) The cherished tradition of Appa conflicted with Janet's demand in the changing world, shaping Appa's identity as a typical Korean parent, and put Appa into deeper think for the future of his next generations.
  - - - Numerous details in the conversations within the book could support the Korean cultural emphasis on respect for elders and deference to authority, and especially for Janet, this is more obvious: "Closing?-Soon. -Need some help? -It's okay. -How's business? -Good." (Ins 82-83) "I love you so much, Appa. See? No one is forcing me to do so."(Ins 96-99) From Janet's caring word for Appa's life and the close relationship between generations, the respect for elders was clearly portrayed, and we could see Appa's cherished tradition had subtly made effect on Janet's identity as an independent female individual, made her realized her identity as Appa's daughter, the next generation, a crucial part of Kim's family.
- - - - When Janet having her first discussion with Alex, Janet once expressed her love for the photography industry: "Your camera bag? -Yup (Beat.) -Are you a photographer? -Yup. -How'd you become a photographer? -OCAD. [Ontario College of Art and Design] Can I take your picture?" (Ins 60-61) From this conversation, we could see Janet's passion and efforts had been made for her dream in photography. However, Appa's voice of doubt is adding pressure on her dream: "I'm a photographer, Appa. This is what I've chosen to do. -Yah, you can do on weekends. Hobby, like me. You don't make money from taking picture. Store makes money. Picture should be hobby. It's good deal for you." (Ins 40-41) From the collision between Janet's demand in Canadian new society and Appa's Korean traditions, both Janet and Appa's identity was reshaped: Appa's tradition affected Janet, make her realize the importance of being a part of family, and Janet's demand in the changing world remind Appa what her generation actually want, making him a understaing father.