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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
drtx_bwt's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Xenophobia
Minor: Death
reina_shouko's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Biphobia, and Homophobia
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
gays0up's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Biphobia, and Sexism
laejone's review against another edition
5.0
This book was exactly what I was hoping it would be. Despite the homophobia the characters experience (primarily at the end btw), it's an overall very joyful story. I loved the characters and it was a quick, short read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia and Homophobia
juleshadow's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Really makes my sapphic Asian self happy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Homophobia
zombiezami's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, Sexism, Misogyny, and Stalking
Moderate: Xenophobia
Minor: War and Alcohol
elwirax's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.5
Rep- Korean-American Bi MC, Korean lesbian LI, Korean Pan Side Character, all Korean cast.
“So please, support your queer friends and family. And if you’re queer, love yourself. Please don’t subscribe to outdated values. Young people like you and me can make a difference. We need to stand up for what we think is right.”
Flip the Script was a heartfelt love letter to K-Dramas and Korean movies. It was also a hopeful story for queer Korean individuals who unfortunately do not get the media representation they deserve.
I loved all the supportive people in this book such as Hana's parents and her manager, Sophia.The overall message was really powerful and I admired Hana, Minjee and Bryan's bravery to stand up for themselves and fight back against a homophobic industry and society.
Thankfully the love triangle wasn't really a thing and instead we got a beautiful friendship between Hana, Minjee and Bryan. I loved their individual characters, Bryan really grew on me, Minjee was sweet and Hana was a great lead (thinking about her love for food while filming a romantic scene and then gagging at the idea of dating Bryan was hilarious). If anything I wish Minjee's character was a bit more developed and stood out a bit more in the story.
I though Hana and Minjee were dead cute but I don't think their relationship was as substantial as it could've been for me to be fully invested in their love (maybe because their friendship was established off page). That being said, I appreciated the LGBTQIA+ representation, in a conservative country such as Korea it's great seeing queer joy presented in a realistic manner. The ending was also just the cutest and most hopeful thing ever, as the author says "queer teens deserve happy endings".
Overall, a very sweet and heartwarming book that tackles some very important issues. It was cliché in the best way which made for a fast and entertaining read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Bullying
Moderate: Sexism and Xenophobia