Writing about multicultural topics, we cannot be too careful. It is especially so when anyone authors a book as an cultural outsider: done right, it will bring great delights. Done wrong, the results can be more than a simple resentment.
Legend of Hong Kil Dong: the Robin Hood of Korea (2006) by Anne Sibley O'Brien is one delightful example that makes cultural insiders hiccup. Not only the cultural and historic details but also the affection toward Korea engrained in the book is such that it seems impossible that a Westerner can author the graphic novel.
Legend of Hong Kil Dong: the Robin Hood of Korea (2006) by Anne Sibley O'Brien is one delightful example that makes cultural insiders hiccup. Not only the cultural and historic details but also the affection toward Korea engrained in the book is such that it seems impossible that a Westerner can author the graphic novel.
The Korean Cinderella (1993) by Shirley Climo is an example at the other end. As one Amazon.com book reviewer wrote, "the subtle racist undertones of one Westerner's portrayals of Asian looks" surely can offend Asians. That review might explain why some readers had to cut out the eyes of characters in the book that I borrowed from QBPL (Queens Borough Public Library in NY). 
well . . .
Some publishers go extra miles to do it right, when they publish muticlutural items. Pigling: a Cinderella story (2009) by Dan Jolley, is a dreadful example. Cosidering the range of muticultural aspects, the publisher claimed to have had some consulting process but it could not stop errors (quite obvious to cultural insiders) and permanently ruined a beautiful depiction of Korean Cinderella. 
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