Stand Up, Yumi Chung!

The next day, Yumi is focused on preparing for her SSAT test while her parents handle all the work related to the restaurant’s Grand Reopening. The Chungs are gradually getting over their anger at Yumi. That evening, Yumi’s mother urges her to get another perm, and Yumi explodes about how the kids at Winston make fun of her curls and everything else about her. Mrs. Chung makes light of the situation, and Yumi says, “My parents still have no idea what comedy means to me. They just shut me down and doled out my punishment for disobeying them” (245). Thinking of her mother, she adds, “And she wonders why I never open up to her” (245-46).

The evening of the Grand Reopening finally arrives. The restaurant has been redecorated. The karaoke stage is set up, and everyone is on hand to help, dressed in their best. At five o’clock, the doors open, and the place is flooded with diners. The Chungs depend on this night’s proceeds to pay off their back rent. By seven o’clock, the crowd thins out. When Mrs. Chung checks the receipts, the profit is still short of what they need because Mr. Chung handed out half-price coupons for dinner between five and seven. Even though the restaurant was full, it didn’t generate enough money. By nine o’clock, the family sadly admits defeat.

After closing, Mrs. Chung, Yumi, and Yuri are in the office calculating their shortfall. Mrs. Chung says they might have to move to San Jose, where an uncle will employ them in a dry-cleaning business. Yumi is distraught at the thought of moving and goes out into the alley, where she finds her father in tears.

He confides that stress over money is crushing him, and he urges Yumi to get a college degree so that she’ll never face such worries: “He’s told me this a million times before, but today it feels different. It doesn’t feel like just something parents say to nag their kids. It feels raw and true. Like he means it from his bones” (262). He also says that Mrs. Chung sold her diamond earrings to pay for Yumi’s hagwon classes so that she could get a scholarship to Winston.

Yumi counters by saying that she doesn’t want to go to Winston. She really loves comedy. Mr. Chung confesses that he wanted to be a pop singer when he was young. He has a great voice, but he made sacrifices for his family so his children could have a better life.

The next day, Yumi takes her SSAT test. Afterward, her parents finally give her back her phone. To her surprise, she finds multiple texts from Felipe and Sienna. Apparently, they aren’t angry at her. She immediately Facetimes Felipe and finds Sienna with him. Yumi apologizes and tells them about her family’s struggles with the restaurant. As she speaks to her friends, Yumi has a brainstorm: “All the dots connect in my mind, and a constellation emerges. ‘We could tell jokes! To raise money for my family’s restaurant!’” (273).

Felipe and Sienna offer their enthusiastic support to reach out to the rest of the comedy camp group. They also offer to figure out a social media strategy to get the word out. Felipe and Sienna also encourage Yumi to speak to Jasmine about getting her contacts to attend. Hesitantly, Yumi goes to the Haha Club, where she finds Jasmine and apologizes for her lies. Jasmine forgives her and agrees to promote the event among her many social media contacts.

Yumi rushes home to tell her parents about her scheme to promote an open mic fundraiser at the restaurant that night. The Chungs still need $6,000 to cover their back rent. At first, they are skeptical of Yumi’s idea, but they have nothing left to lose by trying. Yuri then arrives and enthusiastically helps with social media promotion.

When the restaurant opens for dinner, the place is jammed with many familiar faces, including Mrs. Pak and Kay Nakamura’s family. Jasmine arrives with friends, and most of the comedy campers are there. Mr. Chung starts the open mic show but can’t get any volunteers to kick things off. Though she’s nervous, Yumi comes to his rescue and takes the stage. Fighting her embarrassment, she talks about some of her difficulties during the preceding year and gets everyone laughing. She concludes by saying, “‘But along the way, I learned that I don’t need to become the New Me.’ A hush falls over the room. ‘Instead, I need to be comfortable being the True Me’” (295). Yumi receives a standing ovation.

Many patrons then take turns performing, and Yumi’s father ends open mic night by singing a few Elton John songs. After everyone leaves, the Chungs count the evening’s receipts. They are astonished to find that they’ve made more than $7,000. The restaurant has been saved. Yumi’s parents appreciate their daughter’s resourcefulness in solving their problem.

A week later, the family gathers to say goodbye to Yuri. As she prepares to leave for Nepal, she promises to stay in constant contact via email. During their farewells, Mrs. Chung receives a message that Yumi will receive the scholarship to attend Winston. Yumi isn’t disturbed by the thought of her old school anymore, especially since her parents have agreed to let her take comedy classes on Saturdays at the Haha Club. Yumi concludes by saying,

I know this year will be different because I’m not the same person I was last year. I’m ready to be heard. And I don’t need to go to a new school for that, because no matter where I go, I’m still going to get my new beginning, my fresh start (306).