Michelle Zauner Announces New Memoir ‘Thank You For Your Suffering’
The Japanese Breakfast frontwoman reveals the follow-up to her acclaimed 2021 memoir, Crying in H Mart.
MICHELLE ZAUNER: Photographed by Pak Bae, book cover courtesy of Knopf
MICHELLE ZAUNER: Photographed by Pak Bae
Michelle Zauner has revealed her next book, Thank You for Your Suffering, a memoir about her year in Korea, releasing on April 27, 2027.
Exclusively announced on ELLE USA, the title of the book comes from the Korean word for “good job,” which is “gosaeng haesseoyo.” However, if you literally translate the English meaning, it says “you suffered.”
This became the title for Thank You for Your Suffering, as the Japanese Breakfast frontwoman reflects on her year living in Seoul, South Korea, to learn the language of her late mother, who was the focus of her acclaimed 2021 memoir, Crying in H Mart.
The memoir recounts her time spent with her family on her mother’s side, understanding the language and culture with her husband, and continues the mother-daughter story in H Mart that has deeply resonated with readers around the world.
“So much of the book is about working really hard,” Zauner speaks to ELLE USA. “I was just so hungry and scared of not doing a good job. I think part of that was this strange psychological feeling after my mom died, of wanting to be this perfect daughter that I wish I could have been when she was alive.”
A worthy follow-up to Crying in H Mart, which paints a picture of her grief about the loss of her mother and, through her connection with Korean food, the last line from the book says, “hoping my mother tongue would guide me.”
Zauner was born in Korea and, as a baby, moved to Eugene, Oregon. More than just connecting and learning more about her mother’s history, the upcoming memoir felt like a different experience, as Zauner says that the time brought growth and joy during her time in 2024, the longest time she had spent in the country. “It was really nice to write a book that had so much joy in it, and it was so funny to recall such a special time,” she explains.
Now, as a mother herself, Zauner adds that Thank You For Your Suffering isn’t just for mothers and daughters but for people who may feel that it’s already too late to start something new, such as “learning a new language or a new skill, or starting over. I think it’s going to be for a lot of people.” It’s for anyone trying their best — anyone suffering.”
Pre-order the memoir here.
In 2025, Japanese Breakfast released their fourth studio album, For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women). They also released “My Baby (Got Nothing At All)” for the A24 romantic comedy-drama Materialists, directed by Celine Song (Past Lives). Listen to the track below:
Frequently Asked Questions
Thank You for Your Suffering follows Zauner’s year living in Seoul, South Korea, learning her late mother’s language and continuing the story from Crying in H Mart.
The memoir releases on April 27, 2027, as announced exclusively through ELLE USA.
It comes from the Korean phrase “gosaeng haesseoyo,” meaning “good job,” though its literal English translation is “you suffered.”
It’s a follow-up that continues the mother-daughter story from Crying in H Mart, focused on Zauner’s year spent immersed in Korean language and culture.
In 2025, Japanese Breakfast released their fourth album, For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women), and “My Baby (Got Nothing At All)” for the A24 film Materialists.
