The author initially had a very discouraging view of arranged marriage as he states, "The most un-American thing I could think of being was the child of an arranged marriage." It is known that the fundamental element of society is the family. In the Western world, from which the author has his perspective, many couples meet, feel attracted to each other, decide to date exclusively, and decide to form a lifelong relationship. While, in Korean tradition, "marriage in Korea was more an act of familial piety than of love." The author is also able to let us know how he wants to see love: "love should be tragic and thrilling, full of sweeps and getting lost in each other".