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therainbowshelf's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
K-drama actress Hana navigates the complexities of being famous combined with xenophobia, sexism, and homophobia. A high so-so, almost a low pick. At first I thought this was going to be exactly like I'll Be the One by the same author, but it eventually did deviate. If you like popstar drama books or fluffy romances, give this a try!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Sexism
Something adjacent to online bullyingnotapenguin's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexism, Misogyny, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Biphobia, Outing, and Xenophobia
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
shelbybelby's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Sexism, Homophobia, and Misogyny
alizirrah's review
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I do really like the idea behind this book (young actors fighting for better treatment and queer representation in the South Korean entertainment industry, specifically K-dramas), although things get wrapped up a little too neatly to be believable. Similar to the author's first novel, I'll Be the One, this is mostly fluffy wish fulfillment overlaid with a social justice theme that comes off a bit heavy-handed at times. That isn't totally a bad thing, and it might even work for a reader that is in the 12-16 year old age range.
The characters didn't feel as fully fleshed out as I'd like, which I am not sure how much of that has to do with it being YA. I chuckled at one or two cute moments, when a spark of irreverent silly humor shone through that I wished there was more of.
Despite the fact that it really didn't work for me, I'm still giving this book 3 stars because I may just need to accept that while some of them do have really interesting premises, a lot of modern YA is going to feel too young and lack depth for me. (There was a line at one point where the main character mentioned that she was 5 years old when Game of Thrones first aired, so she "never got around to watching it" and I just about crumbled into dust on the spot.)
The characters didn't feel as fully fleshed out as I'd like, which I am not sure how much of that has to do with it being YA. I chuckled at one or two cute moments, when a spark of irreverent silly humor shone through that I wished there was more of.
Despite the fact that it really didn't work for me, I'm still giving this book 3 stars because I may just need to accept that while some of them do have really interesting premises, a lot of modern YA is going to feel too young and lack depth for me. (There was a line at one point where the main character mentioned that she was 5 years old when Game of Thrones first aired, so she "never got around to watching it" and I just about crumbled into dust on the spot.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Sexism, Homophobia, and Outing
sammy_nor's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexism
caidyn's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Overall, a very cute read. It was pretty angst free and I loved the nod to I'll Be the One.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Biphobia, and Misogyny
fanboyriot's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A super sweet and lighthearted rom-com. The humor was good and the friendships along with the main relationship were also done nicely. I really liked this book. It was fast paced but the characters were nicely done.
- Sapphic
- K-Drama
- Bisexual MC
- Happy Ending
- Friends to Lovers
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Sexism
Moderate: Misogyny and Outing
sapphic_reader's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Sexism
rtaire's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Homophobia, Sexism, and Xenophobia
kingrosereads's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A cute, sapphic coming-of-age story about teenage actors in a K-drama!
Hana is an 16-year-old Korean American actress in the new K-drama, Fated Destiny. Her costar is K-pop prince, Bryan, and to create buzz for their show, the higher ups have Bryan and Hana enter a fake relationship. Hana is new to fame and the negative reaction from Bryan’s diehard fans and constant attention is weighing on her. Then the execs add a surprise love triangle to their characters on the show and hire Hana’s friend and longtime crush, Minjee. Hana deals with being queer in a country that is less tolerant than the US, breaking out as a k-drama actress, balancing her dual identity as an American-born Korean, and struggling to keep her feelings about Minjee in check.
There’s bi, lesbian, and pan representation. There’s commentary on being an immigrant in the country of your parents, heteronormativity, homophobia, and patriarchy. There’s plenty of details on the entertainment industry in Korea as well as an overview on the importance and impact K-dramas have on Korean society.
I think Hana is lovable and a relatable teen character despite being an actress and attending a special school of entertainment workers. I love her friendship with Bryan and her relationship with Minjee. I wish these were more developed rather than spending time on explanation of their show’s script or the industry, but I definitely enjoyed learning about the food, clothes, settings, and traditions. There’s decent commentary on what it’s like to be Korean American in Korea, as well as what it’s like to not only be queer in a traditional family, but in a traditional country and industry. It was like getting to see how someone else lives and it’s interesting and eye opening.
Overall, it’s a cute book about wholesome queer love and coming into your own as a teenager.
Hana is an 16-year-old Korean American actress in the new K-drama, Fated Destiny. Her costar is K-pop prince, Bryan, and to create buzz for their show, the higher ups have Bryan and Hana enter a fake relationship. Hana is new to fame and the negative reaction from Bryan’s diehard fans and constant attention is weighing on her. Then the execs add a surprise love triangle to their characters on the show and hire Hana’s friend and longtime crush, Minjee. Hana deals with being queer in a country that is less tolerant than the US, breaking out as a k-drama actress, balancing her dual identity as an American-born Korean, and struggling to keep her feelings about Minjee in check.
There’s bi, lesbian, and pan representation. There’s commentary on being an immigrant in the country of your parents, heteronormativity, homophobia, and patriarchy. There’s plenty of details on the entertainment industry in Korea as well as an overview on the importance and impact K-dramas have on Korean society.
I think Hana is lovable and a relatable teen character despite being an actress and attending a special school of entertainment workers. I love her friendship with Bryan and her relationship with Minjee. I wish these were more developed rather than spending time on explanation of their show’s script or the industry, but I definitely enjoyed learning about the food, clothes, settings, and traditions. There’s decent commentary on what it’s like to be Korean American in Korea, as well as what it’s like to not only be queer in a traditional family, but in a traditional country and industry. It was like getting to see how someone else lives and it’s interesting and eye opening.
Overall, it’s a cute book about wholesome queer love and coming into your own as a teenager.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, and Sexism