Picture a Korean-American storyteller who turned pizza deliveries into a literary sensation—meet Jean Kyoung Frazier! With her debut novel Pizza Girl, this Los Angeles-based author captured hearts with a raw, darkly funny tale of a pregnant teenager navigating grief and obsession. Frazier’s unique voice and fearless exploration of complex emotions have marked her as a rising star in contemporary fiction.
Born from her own experiences slinging pizzas, Frazier’s work resonates with readers who crave authentic, unpolished characters. Her ability to blend humor with heartache makes her stories both relatable and unforgettable, offering a fresh take on the coming-of-age genre.
The Making of Jean Kyoung Frazier
Growing up in a small town with a population under 3,000, Frazier found solace in books, thanks to her Korean immigrant mother who encouraged her love of reading. With limited entertainment options—no TV and a dial-up internet connection—she devoured stories, planting the seeds for her future as a writer. At the University of Southern California, Frazier initially struggled but found her calling in English, scribbling poetry at the campus bar. Her professors nudged her toward an MFA at Columbia University, where she honed her craft, drawing inspiration from the messy, vibrant lives around her.
Frazier’s summer job delivering pizzas in Los Angeles sparked the idea for Pizza Girl. Her experiences navigating the city’s suburbs, coupled with her love for flawed characters, shaped her distinctive storytelling. She’s also a basketball fan, citing Tim Duncan’s calm intensity as an influence, which subtly echoes in her grounded, unflashy prose.
Jean Kyoung Frazier’s Unforgettable Stories
Frazier’s debut, Pizza Girl (2020), follows an 18-year-old Korean-American pizza delivery girl, pregnant and grieving her alcoholic father. The novel’s unnamed protagonist becomes obsessed with Jenny, a stay-at-home mom who orders pickle-covered pizzas. With sharp wit and unflinching honesty, Frazier explores themes of motherhood, identity, and the Korean concept of han—a deep-seated sorrow. Critics praised its subversive take on pregnancy narratives, earning a Lambda Literary Award nomination for Lesbian Fiction.
Beyond Pizza Girl, Frazier contributed to Unpublishable (2020), an anthology of bold, experimental works edited by Chris Molnar. Her screenwriting credits include the Netflix series Beef (2023), starring Steven Yeun and Ali Wong, and Lucky Hank (2023), showcasing her versatility in crafting compelling narratives across mediums. Her style—marked by deadpan humor, vivid details, and empathy for outcasts—draws comparisons to authors like Ottessa Moshfegh and Sayaka Murata.
Frazier’s work stands out for its refusal to sanitize messy emotions. She embraces unlikeable characters, challenging readers to find humanity in their flaws. Her focus on queer, Korean-American experiences adds a vital perspective to contemporary literature, making her stories both personal and universal.
Why Jean Kyoung Frazier Matters
Jean Kyoung Frazier’s impact lies in her ability to give voice to the overlooked—slackers, stoners, and those grappling with identity on society’s fringes. Pizza Girl was named a best book of 2020 by NPR, Vogue, and Marie Claire, cementing her as a bold new talent. Her work resonates with young readers, particularly those navigating the uncertainty of adulthood, offering a mirror for their struggles and hopes.
As a Korean-American queer woman, Frazier brings much-needed diversity to fiction, weaving cultural nuances into stories that challenge stereotypes. Her screenwriting for shows like Beef further amplifies Asian-American narratives, proving her influence extends beyond the page. With more projects on the horizon, Frazier’s star is only rising.
- Born: Korean-American, specific birth date unavailable
- Key Works: Pizza Girl (2020), Unpublishable (2020), Beef (2023, writer)
- Awards: Lambda Literary Award nominee (2021)
- Influence: Tim Duncan, Los Angeles suburbs, Korean heritage
Snag Pizza Girl and dive into Jean Kyoung Frazier’s witty, heartfelt world of outcasts and pickles!