A Korean-American girl travels to Seoul in hopes of debuting in a girl group at the same K-pop company behind the most popular boy band on the planet in this romantic coming-of-age novel about chasing big dreams, for fans of Mary H. K. Choi and Jenny Han.
K-Pop Confidential Book 1 by Stephan Lee, narrated by Joy Osmanski
Published by: Scholastic Audio Books; October 6, 2020
Genres: Young Adult | Contemporary | Fiction | Romance | Asian Literature
Time: 10 hours 6 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Libby
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T/W: Verbal and Emotional abuse, Body Shaming, Restrictive Dieting, Panic Attack, Hospitalization of a grandparent
Rated: YA, Adult, 12+
★★★★☆ | 4 / 5
When you think of K-pop, a variety of songs and artists come to mind: Gangnam Style, Dynamite, BTS, Black Pink, Stray Kids, and Twice. All the glitz, glamour, and fame associated with being a K-pop idol make many want to join that world.
However, it’s not all glamour, and this story explores a side of the K-pop idol industry that we often ignore. It highlights the brutal trainee programs, restrictive diets, and almost nonexistent personal lives, living only for the fans.
This was a fun and fast-paced story. Sure, there were moments where the situations felt a bit unrealistic, but most of it was relatable. And we see the backside that people often overlook in the K-pop industry.
Learning to embrace one’s identity, the importance of family love and support, friendships, and romance—this novel covers it all.
Yes, it was a bit clichéd at times, but I loved it anyway.
The author brought all the characters to life, and it shows in their distinct personalities and styles.
I can’t wait to dive into the second book right away!
★★★★☆ | 4 / 5
