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While there definitely isn’t a short supply of young adult television series, there is certainly a lack of people of color in these series. YA media with creators of color and a protagonist of color are difficult to find in general, whether it’s books, movies, or television shows. This is why the premiere of Parked in America at SXSW 2021‘s Episodic Pilot Competition caught The Daily Fandom’s attention. A YA drama with a heroine of color written by a woman of color! While there were definitely awkward moments common in the YA genre, the show had a sympathetic and lovable heroine, a relatable and compelling premise, and a whole lot of heart.
- Screenwriter/Showrunner: Kayla Yumi Lewis
- Director: Luke Salin, Kayla Yumi Lewis
- Cast: Judy Song, Jeff Lawless, Solomon Abell, Ella Baker-Smith, Judy Han, Jim Cairl, Lexi Perkel, MeeWha Alana Lee
- Cinematographer: San Yvin
- Producer: Ann Swenson, Cole Bannick, Jori Johnson, Alexandro Pacheco
- Editor: Hyeseung Kim
- Executive Producers: Ann Swenson
- Runtime: 31 minutes
- Language: English, Korean
Why Is Jamie Parked in America?
Pared in America is a television pilot written by Kayla Yumi Lewis as part of her 2019-2020 academic year at NYU Tisch School Of The Arts. The show tells Ji Yeon “Jamie” Park, a Korean teenager who moves from Seoul, Korea, to a small town in Illinois to live with relatives. Ji Yeon tries to keep the reason for the visit a secret from her cousin Eli and her new classmates as she tries her best to endure what she hopes will only be a few weeks in the United States.
Ji Yeon’s first day isn’t promising; her day is full of microaggressions, and in a fit of frustration, she gives herself an “American” name because not correcting white people about her “China” name is one less thing to worry about. Her cousin Eli, who also attends the high school, is also unsupportive and treats her like a burden. She does manage to make one friend, a kind classmate named Harvey. Unfortunately, he is also the one person Eli told her not to befriend. When she invites Harvey over after school, Eli’s attitude towards her sours even more.
While struggling with her new school and conflict with her cousin, Jamie anxiously awaits to hear news about her sister Seo Yeon, or better yet, to hear from Seo Yeon herself. Jamie finally explodes at a high school party after her cousin passively watches his two white friends insult her with their racist assumption about Korea and her life there. She storms out of the house, with Eli following behind. Tired, lonely, and overwhelmed, Jamie finally shares that she was sent to the United States because her sister Seo Yeon attempted suicide.
Parked In America Has Room For Improvement
While it is a bit rough around the edges with some awkward moments, the pilot is a strong setup for a YA drama series with its believable premise and compelling heroine. The writing and Judy Song’s performance as Jamie is the strongest aspects of the pilot.
Screenwriting
Kayla Yumi Lewis introduces a premise filled with unease, pain, and cautious optimism without being melodramatic or unrealistic. There is a tendency in young adult media to exaggerate issues or romanticize; Lewis does neither. She instead portrays the subtle pain, simple comforts, and small victories of life. Many viewers will relate to Jamie’s specific situation; others will relate to drowning in a messy, agonizing situation at a young age and wishing you only had your peers’ petty teen drama.
The pilot establishes themes of both trauma and healing. Jamie’s grandmother encourages her to experience and confront her emotions, rather than bury them. After a heartbreaking call with her sister in which she tells Jamie she doesn’t want her to come home yet, Jamie decides she is going to join the school band. Jamie throughout the pilot reminds people that she is only staying a few weeks, emphasizing her life there is temporary; it’s clear she views this time in America as limbo, a pause before her real life continues.
But the reality is life doesn’t pause and this simple decision is a sign she is taking herself out of limbo. If given several episodes, Parked in America could be a beautiful YA drama that explores healing and growth. Additionally, Lewis’s bilingual storytelling and portrayal of subtle racism will resonate with many people of color watching. The show jumps from English to Korean, in a manner familiar to anyone who grew up speaking two languages. While this is the reality for many people, it is rarely portrayed in American media even when the protagonist are immigrants or second-generation immigrants.
Similarly, many attempts to explore racism in narratives fail to portray microaggressions, despite its prevalence in the lives of people of color. In contrast, Lewis has written numerous lines and interactions that will be painfully familiar to many people of color. She succeeds at creating a story that embraces Jamie and her relatives’ race and cultural identities without defining them only by their race and culture. The result is a complex heroine who will bring a range of experiences to the screen.
Parked In America‘s Heroine You Want To Protect
Judy Song has captured the feeling of really needing to cry but fighting it back because you don’t want to make anyone around you to be uncomfortable. The audience doesn’t know why Jamie is there, but they can feel her discomfort. Whenever Jamie clarifies that she will only be there for a few weeks, her anxiety of being left in America indefinitely is very subtle, not overdramatic or overacted. She plays Jamie’s fears and cautious hope quietly.
The most memorable scene of the pilot is carried by Song. When her sister finally calls, Jamie finds a refugee in the girl’s bathroom. She has to speak softly because it’s a public place and because she is so scared, both of hurting her sister and scared of being hated by her sister. Song’s performance is beautiful and tragic, and hopefully, we will have the opportunity to see more.
Parked In America Is Coming To Festivals Near You!
If you have the chance to watch Parked in America, check it out! The official website will have more festival information soon. After watching Judy Song’s performance as Jamie making an emotional and tense call in the girl’s bathroom in school, you’ll be hooked and demand to see more of Jamie’s journey. If you’re interested in keeping up with the series, you can follow its Instagram.
