A True Story  ·  Korean Literature Award-Winning Author

My
Mother's
Pot

A sweeping family saga of love, sacrifice, and resilience spanning three generations of Korean women.

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My Mother's Pot — Jaesung Kim
My Mothers Pot book cover

About the Book

A story that turns
suffering into grace

“A story of hands that never stopped working, a heart that never stopped forgiving, and a love that turned enemies into family.”

In the snowy hills of 1930s Korea, a four-year-old girl crawls through the snow before dawn to honor her grandfather. That girl is Yongrhea — and this is her extraordinary story.

Denied an education because she was born female, Yongrhea earns the right to attend night school by weaving straw rope until her fingers bleed. At sixteen, she marries a stranger and enters a household with an empty rice jar. What follows is a journey through Korea’s most turbulent century — Japanese occupation, liberation, and devastating war.

When her husband takes concubines to produce a male heir, Yongrhea does not crumble. She raises their sons as her own, builds businesses from nothing — a rice mill, farmland, and even a theater. When the Korean War erupts and her husband faces execution by the Red Army, Yongrhea walks alone into enemy territory, armed with nothing but courage, to bring him home.

Perfect for readers who loved

Pachinko  ·  The Island of Sea Women  ·  Memoirs of a Geisha

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The Heart of the Story

Remembering Yongrhea

A woman, a mother, a place in the world

Yongrhea was many things — a mother, a keeper of stories, a presence that made every room feel warmer. This book is a tribute to her life and the indelible mark she left on everyone who knew her.

She had a way of turning ordinary moments into something sacred. The way she moved through her home, the phrases she returned to, the places she loved — these are the threads that run through every page of this memoir.

About the Author

Meet the
Author

Jaesung Kim is a multi-award-winning Korean-American author and former President of the Korean Mystery Writers’ Association. His distinguished career spans multiple genres, from gripping mysteries to sweeping historical fiction.

Kim has received numerous accolades for his literary contributions, including the Korean Mystery Award, the Socheon Award, and the Purun Award. His work is celebrated for its masterful storytelling, rich historical detail, and deep emotional resonance.

His latest novel, My Mother’s Pot, is a deeply personal work of biographical fiction that fulfills a promise made to his mother before her passing — to share her extraordinary story with the world. Spanning nearly a century of Korean history, it illuminates the resilience of Korean women through one remarkable life shaped by Japanese occupation, war, and sacrifice.

Kim’s upcoming work, The Zombie Detective of Gyeongseong, showcases his versatility, blending historical mystery with imaginative storytelling set in colonial-era Korea.

Born in South Korea, Kim now resides in the United States, where he continues to write stories that bridge cultures, genres, and generations.

Praise

What readers are saying

All 5-star reviews — Amazon Verified Purchases

It's an easy, relatable read that leaves a strong impression. Yongrhea is worth more than 10 sons — no schooling and all she has is her hands and her will.

— Aidah  ·  Verified Purchase

Wonderful and touching story. I could associate this with Pearl Buck's The Good Earth. The plot keeps us drawn in — couldn't stop reading. I would recommend it to everyone!

— Juhong Min  ·  Verified Purchase

It tells the life of a woman who lived through a difficult historical era. I was so touched by how honestly it portrayed the struggles and the hope passed down through generations.

— EK  ·  Verified Purchase

A story of love and a mother's touch that molds her children into responsible adulthood. Her strength and courage to endure trials and tribulations — a very touching and heartwarming story.

— Teodora Morando  ·  Verified Purchase

A touching and inspiring story of resilience, grace, compassion, and endless hard work. No miracles — only the quiet strength of a mother who pushes on for the ones around her.

— Rachel  ·  Verified Purchase

Finished it in two sittings. The opening scene — a four-year-old crawling through snow before dawn — hooked me immediately. Just a woman who somehow held everything together. I kept thinking about my own grandmother.

— Christy Martinez  ·  Verified Purchase

When I read this book I missed my mom. It's amazing!

— Hyun  ·  Verified Purchase

I finished it feeling like I had lived inside another country's memory. The emotion comes from watching a woman make impossible choices again and again, without complaint, and somehow turn survival into grace.

— Victor Hugo  ·  Kindle

I can see my grandmother who raised 9 kids during the Japanese occupation in the Philippines. This would make a great K movie. I'll be the first to watch.

— Jbm  ·  Verified Purchase

This book is well written. Every chapter is full of great stories — a mother's hard work, perseverance and determination to improve life and survival. I highly recommend this inspiring book.

— Erlinda Yates  ·  Verified Purchase

My key takeaway? Learning about Korean culture, resilience, and the strength that comes from within. Women who lived during that time had to be strong and relied on their faith. One of the better memoirs I've read.

— Kindle Customer  ·  Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed the way the author describes the settings and people as the characters develop. If you liked Pachinko or any Asian history-inspired books, this would be worth a try!

— Cheziel Ando  ·  Verified Purchase

Solid book. Well written, easy to read, and has a strong message about family. Worth checking out.

— Sammy Clegg  ·  Verified Purchase

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