So, over-controlled Asian teen breaks away from her family in search of freedom and for a break from the pressure to be(insert cliche tiger-mom pressure here)?
Kids in a typical middle-class Asian (mainly HK and mainland China) family are subject
to pressure to excel in something outside their school curriculum. Usually the
craft to learn could be a sport or a musical instrument. Some are required by
their parents to seek schooling in mathematics more challenging than what
they are taught in schools. For girls piano playing is seemingly considered
to be a vital part of education in Hong Kong. I have a piano teacher friend
who once told me that among his students Chinese parents are the most lavishing
when it comes to the expense on the resources needed for their children's
training. Playing piano could be a lot of fun if the kids actually enjoy
the music. Somehow I am under the
impression that Asian kids generally show little interest in classical music. In fact
Hong Kong almost never ever produced any classical violinist or pianist of international
fame. Korean and Japanese on the other hand have produced a lot of excellent classical
musicians and they are generally not as oppressive in their musical education for kids.