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whitwein's review against another edition
5.0
Stunning YA novel. After reading xoxo and Asap I needed more K-pop novels and this one was so much fun. The main character Candance was such a kick ass main character. I loved her and am so bugged my library doesn’t have the audio for book two. I need it. Felt a little cliffhangery with that ending.
I don’t super listen to a lot of musi-mainly audiobooks but I may be entering a K-pop era. We will see. maybe just more K-pop books…
april_bm's review against another edition
3.0
ok what the heck i enjoyed this much more than i thought i would. And im so down for the whole “bring down the patriarchy” trope—and seeing it set in kpop terms was a ride! However, some major downsides i saw in this was the overtly stereotypical characters and playing too much into it. For a book that aims to be in the sphere of feminism, it fell a bit short. Also writing-style wise, it seemed too juvenile. Not so much my cup of tea but i could flow with it.
This book, if anything, is incredibly informative. If you’ve ever wondered what your kpop bias may have suffered(maybe not even in the past tense) to get to where they are, i’d check this book out for a fictionalized(but is it really? Lol) version of kpop reality
This book, if anything, is incredibly informative. If you’ve ever wondered what your kpop bias may have suffered(maybe not even in the past tense) to get to where they are, i’d check this book out for a fictionalized(but is it really? Lol) version of kpop reality
marawii's review against another edition
5.0
I can’t believe I finished this book in three days!!! I’ve been a Kdrama fan for over 10 years and recently gotten into Kpop (well, Blackpink mostly). I also saw a KDrama a long time ago about kpop and their training which I absolutely loved at the time.And this book reminds me of these vibes.
I loved how the book was fast paced and easy to read. The love interests and friendships were awesome and cute. This book made me laugh, learn some new Korean words and listen to new Kpop songs (yeah I did my homework
I loved how the book was fast paced and easy to read. The love interests and friendships were awesome and cute. This book made me laugh, learn some new Korean words and listen to new Kpop songs (yeah I did my homework
moonielobo's review against another edition
4.0
Como gran amante del k-pop, este libro no podía faltar en mis estanterías. Lo cierto es que no esperaba encontrarme con una lectura que iba a disfrutar tanto. Y es que Stephan Lee basa este libro en el esfuerzo de nuestra protagonista para convertirse en una idol. Y aunque todos los que estamos metidos en este mundo sabemos que ser un idol no es algo sencillo y agradable, el libro nos muestra la dureza con que las compañías tratan a sus ‘trainees’. Que si tienes que vigilar con lo que comes, como vistes, como te peinas, con quien sales… Sinceramente, enfermizo. Esta es la palabra con la que describiría este mundo.
Supongo que por ese motivo me ha gustado tanto este libro. Porque no se anda con tonterías y no intenta mostrar este mundo tan perfecto con el que nos intentan engañar. Nos enseña parte de la verdad y como puede llegar a ser un proceso tóxico el de convertirse en un idol.
Supongo que por ese motivo me ha gustado tanto este libro. Porque no se anda con tonterías y no intenta mostrar este mundo tan perfecto con el que nos intentan engañar. Nos enseña parte de la verdad y como puede llegar a ser un proceso tóxico el de convertirse en un idol.
captwinghead's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
cw: fatphobia, disordered eating, featurism
This was a lot more enjoyable than the last book I read on K-pop trainees, “Shine” by Jessica Jung. I really enjoyed Lyla Lee's "I'll Be the One", but that was a Korean American doing a K-Pop competition in America. This book starred a Korean American travelling to South Korea to be a trainee - an entirely different and way more stressful situation.
I like Candace as a character just fine. Unlike some other novels I've read, she knows how much her family sacrificed for her to take advantage of the opportunity and actually does more to show respect for that sacrifice. She still takes some unnecessary risks (YoungBae and One.J), but it's clear she loves her family and isn't being truly reckless about it. I wished the story hadn't had that YA element of her literally stumbling into the whole opportunity, though. The odds of thousands of people with more knowledge of the Korean language, formal dance and vocal training, all getting eliminated as they pick the girl who can only sing is a bit hard for me to believe. The odds of a company traveling all the way to NY to select one person, also hard for me to believe.
Anyway, the trainee experience sounded like what you hear from girl groups when they're allowed to talk about their honest memories. Hiding food, extreme practice time, the dating scandals. All of that seemed accurate, as best I can tell. I liked that this book moved past the catty girl stereotypes and showcased more of the sisterhood. That's a lot more progressive than books that reduce female characters to mean girls and never move past that.
The only aspects of this book that tripped me up were dialogue issues. Aside from some cringey lyrics (Unicorn, for example), anytime Imani or Ethan spoke, I cringed. Imani said "Girl, bye" like every other line, Ethan threw in some "Yass, queen"s and most of the Gen Z slang aged poorly. Reading this in 2023, it had already aged poorly. "Shooketh" died a slow painful death a while ago and its used more than once in this book.
I could be reaching, I hope that I am, but it felt like SLK was based off of BTS. 2020, biggest K-Pop group in the world and the first to really explode in America. They sing and rap and (iirc) started from a small company. The book took quite a few digs at whoever Wookie was meant to be (if I'm right and this was based on BTS). Like it being a "choice" for him to be someone's bias and for groups to not be made of all perfect members because they each need a "Wookie". If I'm right, which member of BTS was that meant to be? It felt mean spirited.
Anyway, overall, this was entertaining and enjoyable. The dialogue did take me out at times, but it's a solid recommend if you're into this type of story.
cw: fatphobia, disordered eating, featurism
This was a lot more enjoyable than the last book I read on K-pop trainees, “Shine” by Jessica Jung. I really enjoyed Lyla Lee's "I'll Be the One", but that was a Korean American doing a K-Pop competition in America. This book starred a Korean American travelling to South Korea to be a trainee - an entirely different and way more stressful situation.
I like Candace as a character just fine. Unlike some other novels I've read, she knows how much her family sacrificed for her to take advantage of the opportunity and actually does more to show respect for that sacrifice. She still takes some unnecessary risks (YoungBae and One.J), but it's clear she loves her family and isn't being truly reckless about it. I wished the story hadn't had that YA element of her literally stumbling into the whole opportunity, though. The odds of thousands of people with more knowledge of the Korean language, formal dance and vocal training, all getting eliminated as they pick the girl who can only sing is a bit hard for me to believe. The odds of a company traveling all the way to NY to select one person, also hard for me to believe.
Anyway, the trainee experience sounded like what you hear from girl groups when they're allowed to talk about their honest memories. Hiding food, extreme practice time, the dating scandals. All of that seemed accurate, as best I can tell. I liked that this book moved past the catty girl stereotypes and showcased more of the sisterhood. That's a lot more progressive than books that reduce female characters to mean girls and never move past that.
The only aspects of this book that tripped me up were dialogue issues. Aside from some cringey lyrics (Unicorn, for example), anytime Imani or Ethan spoke, I cringed. Imani said "Girl, bye" like every other line, Ethan threw in some "Yass, queen"s and most of the Gen Z slang aged poorly. Reading this in 2023, it had already aged poorly. "Shooketh" died a slow painful death a while ago and its used more than once in this book.
I could be reaching, I hope that I am, but it felt like SLK was based off of BTS. 2020, biggest K-Pop group in the world and the first to really explode in America. They sing and rap and (iirc) started from a small company. The book took quite a few digs at whoever Wookie was meant to be (if I'm right and this was based on BTS). Like it being a "choice" for him to be someone's bias and for groups to not be made of all perfect members because they each need a "Wookie". If I'm right, which member of BTS was that meant to be? It felt mean spirited.
Anyway, overall, this was entertaining and enjoyable. The dialogue did take me out at times, but it's a solid recommend if you're into this type of story.
gayathiri_rajendran's review against another edition
4.0
K-pop Confidential by Stephan Lee is an exhilarating read for K-Pop fans and for new fans to the world of K-Pop who want to know more about it. This book mainly focuses on the journey of Candace Park,a Korean American from New Jersey who goes to Seoul to become a K-pop idol.
The biggest point this book made was the behind the scenes look of what trainee life would look like and what it takes to debut as an idol. Most of us only see the glamour and glitz but we have almost no idea about what goes on behind the scenes.
Some of the issues portrayed in this book were intense and serious which makes us hope that the companies treat their trainees well. The word building was so good and the events which took place were so vividly described which added to the flow of the plot. The main character Candace is full of grit and even though she is talented,we see her stumbling along the way and learning from her mistakes.
The ending was a bit rushed and since the author has announced that there will be a sequel, I am hoping for more resolution and fleshing out of the side characters.
This book has so many K-pop references and even if you are new,there is a glossary behind to help you out.I'm a huge K-pop fan and I felt really seen.I was in a reading slump and picking this book up helped me get out of it. A quick and easy read!
If you are a die hard fan of K-pop, then this book is for you. Even if you are not or are new to the world of K-pop, you should pick it up and see for yourself just how much sacrifice,effort,sweat and tears are expended into becoming a K-pop idol. They are a worldwide sensation for a reason and instead of speculating about it, pick this book up instead.
Eagerly looking forward to the sequel!
The biggest point this book made was the behind the scenes look of what trainee life would look like and what it takes to debut as an idol. Most of us only see the glamour and glitz but we have almost no idea about what goes on behind the scenes.
Some of the issues portrayed in this book were intense and serious which makes us hope that the companies treat their trainees well. The word building was so good and the events which took place were so vividly described which added to the flow of the plot. The main character Candace is full of grit and even though she is talented,we see her stumbling along the way and learning from her mistakes.
The ending was a bit rushed and since the author has announced that there will be a sequel, I am hoping for more resolution and fleshing out of the side characters.
This book has so many K-pop references and even if you are new,there is a glossary behind to help you out.I'm a huge K-pop fan and I felt really seen.I was in a reading slump and picking this book up helped me get out of it. A quick and easy read!
If you are a die hard fan of K-pop, then this book is for you. Even if you are not or are new to the world of K-pop, you should pick it up and see for yourself just how much sacrifice,effort,sweat and tears are expended into becoming a K-pop idol. They are a worldwide sensation for a reason and instead of speculating about it, pick this book up instead.
Eagerly looking forward to the sequel!
quinnster's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
So far I've read three K-pop novels and all three have been about a Korean American going to Korea to make it as an Idol. Out of the three this one might be my favorite? This read a little more authentic than I'll Be The One and I liked the interactions between the other girls here more than Shine. I might read the next book, but I'm not running out to get it right now.
jessethereader's review against another edition
4.0
This book was literally so fun. If you're a kpop fan, you'll love every bit of it. If you're someone unfamiliar with the world of kpop, this will be an insightful read. It's fun, it's dramatic, & it's chaotic.
jjkook13's review against another edition
1.0
1 out of 10.
OMG, the cringe. I love K-pop music and I'm kinda okay with YA contemporary, so I thought it was fair to think that I would be one of the target audience. Apparently, I was wrong.
OMG, the cringe. I love K-pop music and I'm kinda okay with YA contemporary, so I thought it was fair to think that I would be one of the target audience. Apparently, I was wrong.