1. Read the passage. Then answer the question.

Question

Bul-GO!-gi
“Can you chop the scallions?”
Seo-Jun didn't look away from his smartphone to reply to his mother’s request. He was busy texting Vince Cordova about a new show they were planning to binge watch Friday night.
“Seo. . . . Seo!”
“What?”
“What do you mean, 'What’? I need you to chop the scallions.” It was 11:30 a.m., and the Town Pavilion—the office building Ji-Suk's food truck Bul-GO!-gi was parked outside of—was about to unleash a stampede of customers. “I have to get this beef marinating, otherwise in a half hour I'm going to lose a bunch of hungry tax consultants to the chicken and waffle guys across street.”
Seo-Jun smiled, but Ji-Suk couldn't see his eyes from under his royal blue cap. Then she realized he was still looking at his phone, which he was concealing below his knees as his fingers tapped the screen.
“Hey!” She threw a kitchen towel at him, and it unfurled in midair and landed on his head, draping itself over the brim of his cap.
“Okay, okay, I'll do it.”
Ji-Suk had made a name for herself in Kansas City, especially after a local magazine wrote a big cover story when she left her job as an attorney at a law firm after seven years to start a food truck business. If her own mother had still been alive, she would have been quite upset with Ji-Suk for that. Her mother had spent years learning to speak relatively good English, and she’d been determined to make sure Ji-Suk graduated from a respectable college and became a lawyer. Even though she'd made Ji-Suk take Korean lessons every Saturday morning followed by violin lessons in the afternoon—and cooked kimchi and other Korean delicacies with her at least once a week—Ji-Suk's mother had wanted her to succeed by American standards.
And she had. She'd become a lawyer, just like her mother wanted, but she'd also learned to love burnt end barbecue, a local culinary favorite. She was an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs. She even loved playing softball; she had a wickedly fast windmill pitch, having played throughout college and graduate school and on the law firm's recreational team. Ji-Suk had succeeded by American standards in ways her mother couldn't have imagined, and in ways her mother probably didn't want, but Ji-Suk couldn't do anything about that. She was American, just as much as she was Korean, and even though her mother wouldn't have wanted her to do it, starting the food truck was Ji-Suk's way of honoring her mother and showing that she valued what her mother had taught her.
Still, she was determined not to force Seo-Jun to do the things her mother had forced her to do. He wouldn't have to take violin lessons, nor would he have to learn Korean. She was more than willing to let him take Korean lessons if he showed any interest, but he never did.
She wasn't sure, however, whether she was doing the right thing, as Seo-Jun didn't seem to want to play sports, nor did he have any serious hobbies. He got by in school, but he didn’t apply himself. He was mostly interested in his friends. She hadn't been any different at his age, and she would have spent most of her time with her friends, too, but her mother would never have allowed it.
Seo-Jun finished chopping a stalk of scallions and put down his knife in order to glance at his phone. “Hey mom, Vince has to do something with his family on Friday night. He asked if we can hang out right now. Would it be okay if I headed over there now?”
“Sure.”
He tried to read his mother's face, but she just carried on marinating the meat. He grabbed his backpack and threw it over one of his shoulders. Then he headed out the back door of the truck.
He looked back at her serving her first guest. She was smiling, but it was a distant smile. Without saying a word, he climbed back into the food truck.
Ji-Suk glanced over but still didn't say a word.
He picked up his knife and a handful of scallions and started chopping.
A theme developed in “Bul-GO!-gi” is that each new generation has to find a balance between honoring tradition and being unique. What details from the story help develop this theme? How does the character of Ji-Suk help develop this theme? Use at least four examples and evidence from the text to support your response. Your response should be at least two complete paragraphs.
Answer:
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Answer 1

In the story "Bul-GO!-gi," the theme of finding a balance between honoring tradition and being unique is developed through various details.

Firstly, the character of Ji-Suk, the protagonist, exemplifies this theme. She is torn between her Korean heritage, as taught by her mother, and her American upbringing. Ji-Suk followed her mother's wishes to become a lawyer, conforming to the traditional Korean values of success. However, she also developed a love for American culture, such as burnt end barbecue and the Kansas City Chiefs. By starting her own food truck business that combines Korean flavors with American favorites, Ji-Suk finds a unique way to honor her mother and showcase her appreciation for both cultures.

Furthermore, Ji-Suk's decision to not force her son Seo-Jun to follow in her footsteps also contributes to this theme. Ji-Suk's mother had imposed strict expectations on her, forcing her to take violin lessons and learn Korean. However, Ji-Suk wants Seo-Jun to have the freedom to pursue his own interests and find his own unique path. This shows that she understands the importance of allowing the next generation to balance tradition and individuality.

Additionally, Seo-Jun's lack of interest in his Korean heritage and his desire to spend time with his friends also highlight the theme of balancing tradition and uniqueness. Seo-Jun's lack of enthusiasm for violin lessons and Korean language shows that he is more drawn towards embracing his American identity and forging his own path. This tension between tradition and individuality is further emphasized when Seo-Jun asks his mother to hang out with his friend Vince instead of helping her prepare for the food truck business.

Lastly, the use of Korean cuisine and its fusion with American favorites in Ji-Suk's food truck exemplifies the theme. By combining traditional Korean flavors with popular American dishes like burnt end barbecue, Ji-Suk is showcasing her ability to honor her heritage while adapting to American tastes. This fusion of cultures reflects the need to find a balance between tradition and uniqueness in order to appeal to a broader audience.

Overall, the theme of finding a balance between honoring tradition and being unique is developed through Ji-Suk's character, Seo-Jun's lack of interest in Korean traditions, and the fusion of Korean and American flavors in Ji-Suk's food truck. These details emphasize the challenges faced by each new generation in maintaining a connection to their cultural heritage while embracing their individuality in a changing world.