The Choke Artist
| Company type | Autobiography |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Products | Book |
The Choke Artist is the 2012 autobiography authored by David Yoo. Marking his fourth publication, it arrived eight years following his initial release, Girls For Breakfast. The book earned a spot on the Massachusetts “Must Read” list and was named a finalist for the Massachusetts Book Award in 2013.
High school
David spent his high school years in Avon, Connecticut, an affluent suburb with a predominantly white population. As a Korean American minority student, he found common ground with the sole black student in his grade and developed a strong interest in rap music. However, this enthusiasm faded after he and his friends attended a rap concert where their outsider status became apparent.
Meanwhile, David’s sister Liz distinguished herself academically and musically, dedicating six hours daily to violin practice as a way to cope with social exclusion. In contrast, David adopted a rebellious Asian-American identity marked by underachievement, which caused disappointment for his parents.
David associated his ethnic background with challenges in dating. Rejecting his parents’ preference for him to date a “Nice Korean Girl,” he instead pursued relationships with Popular White Girls (PWGs). Part of his difficulty in attracting partners was linked to his thin build, which conflicted with conventional masculine standards.
College
During his time at Skidmore College, David’s insecurities intensified as his roommate Jake quickly gained popularity among both students and faculty. Subsequent roommates and romantic involvements further tested David’s confidence. He harbored resentment toward a girlfriend who possessed notably muscular arms, reflecting his own frustrations with gym workouts.
Although he primarily sought relationships with PWGs, David also dated an Asian woman but faced intimacy struggles rooted in anxieties about his ethnic identity and self-perception. His main focus during junior and senior years was to overcome these insecurities that impacted both his personal life and social interactions.
Graduate school
David enrolled in a creative writing graduate program at the furthest college willing to accept him, aiming to distance himself from his New England background. Despite this change, he remained the only minority Asian student and grew increasingly critical of what he termed the “pseudohippie aesthetic” embraced by peers who favored mountain climbing and fleece attire while driving luxury SUVs.
While living in Boulder, David made a personal vow not to cut his hair until completing the program. After successfully defending his thesis, he asked his professor what type of job would still allow him time and energy to write. The professor’s advice was to choose work that was “as insipid as possible.”
After graduate school
Following graduation, David moved to an inexpensive apartment in Boston to focus on writing while supporting himself through various temporary jobs that often felt dehumanizing. Although necessary for income, these positions left him feeling emasculated and judged by coworkers and tradespeople alike. Overhearing a colleague refer to him as “the bitch” brought him to tears of frustration. Muttering under his breath, David said, “…you wouldn’t like me when I’m angry because I cry.”
Analysis
David Yoo’s memoir The Choke Artist shares thematic similarities with Barbara Ehrenreich’s Nickel and Dimed by portraying the experience of menial labor endured for the sake of artistic aspirations. Yoo adds layers of Korean-American immigrant tension, blending humor with harsh realities, exemplified by the Emily Dickinson quote he references: “I like a look of Agony, Because I know it’s true.”
Publishers Weekly commended Yoo’s narrative for turning personal hardships into “a truly poignant, unexpected epiphany.”
Celeste Headlee from National Public Radio contrasted Yoo’s memoir with Amy Chua’s Tiger Mother story. While Chua’s account highlights relentless parental demands for perfectionism, Yoo intentionally resisted academic achievement to assimilate with white classmates. His memoir delves into the repercussions of this decision in The Choke Artist: Confessions of a Chronic Underachiever.