Steven Yeun, Alan Kim, Yuh-Jung Youn, Yeri Han and Noel Kate Cho in “Minari” (Courtesy of A24)
Minari is the taste of home for many Koreans. The green leafy vegetable, popular in Korean cooking, thrives almost anywhere — all it needs is damp soil and a bit of love to take root.
In Lee Isaac Chung’s new film, minari takes root in a shady Arkansas creek bed, under the tender care of Korean immigrant and would-be farmer Jacob (Steven Yeun). The minari brings the taste of home to Jacob’s family, while also serving as a metaphor for the Korean immigrant experience in 20th century America.