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3.17 AVERAGE
3.17 AVERAGE
3.5 stars.
I’m a fairly big kpop stan and I know that the industry is quite toxic and things aren’t always as they seem, but if what Jessica Jung wrote about in this book is true then something needs to change. The sexism portrayed in this book was unreal and it seemed like nobody but Rachel noticed it, even though it was so painfully obvious. How can it be right that the male idols were always made out to be innocent and the female idols were devils who manipulated everyone? I mean what is that all about? Toxic fans ripping the female idols to shreds just for breathing the same air as their kpop idol. It was so horrible to read, especially from Rachel’s point of view because I knew that she couldn’t say anything back to anyone even though I was praying she would.
One thing that did bother me throughout the book was the fact that Rachel managed to get away with only training on a weekend. Now don’t get me wrong I have no idea what it’s like to be talented or the work that is required to get into the kpop industry, but it seemed as though everyone else was training a lot longer and harder than Rachel was yet she was always favoured. But then it was almost as though the whole company turned on her because she was female ?? I just didn’t get it, she was called ‘princess Rachel’ because she was chosen to join DB and the CEO liked her yet from Rachel’s pov nobody actually liked her.
Also I hated Jason. He really didn’t care about Rachel at all, I don’t care what he said. Honestly I think he might be one of the worst characters I’ve ever read about in a book. Was a single word that came out of his mouth sincere or was it all orchestrated by DB? It was almost as though he was their puppet because they let him get away with anything he wanted to.
Honestly I do think that any kpop fan should read this book just so that they can see what kpop idols really go through on a regular basis. I know that there are even worse things than what was mentioned in this book, but it really should highlight to fans that kpop idols deserve to be treated with respect because they are humans too.
I’m a fairly big kpop stan and I know that the industry is quite toxic and things aren’t always as they seem, but if what Jessica Jung wrote about in this book is true then something needs to change. The sexism portrayed in this book was unreal and it seemed like nobody but Rachel noticed it, even though it was so painfully obvious. How can it be right that the male idols were always made out to be innocent and the female idols were devils who manipulated everyone? I mean what is that all about? Toxic fans ripping the female idols to shreds just for breathing the same air as their kpop idol. It was so horrible to read, especially from Rachel’s point of view because I knew that she couldn’t say anything back to anyone even though I was praying she would.
One thing that did bother me throughout the book was the fact that Rachel managed to get away with only training on a weekend. Now don’t get me wrong I have no idea what it’s like to be talented or the work that is required to get into the kpop industry, but it seemed as though everyone else was training a lot longer and harder than Rachel was yet she was always favoured. But then it was almost as though the whole company turned on her because she was female ?? I just didn’t get it, she was called ‘princess Rachel’ because she was chosen to join DB and the CEO liked her yet from Rachel’s pov nobody actually liked her.
Also I hated Jason. He really didn’t care about Rachel at all, I don’t care what he said. Honestly I think he might be one of the worst characters I’ve ever read about in a book. Was a single word that came out of his mouth sincere or was it all orchestrated by DB? It was almost as though he was their puppet because they let him get away with anything he wanted to.
Honestly I do think that any kpop fan should read this book just so that they can see what kpop idols really go through on a regular basis. I know that there are even worse things than what was mentioned in this book, but it really should highlight to fans that kpop idols deserve to be treated with respect because they are humans too.
This was absolutely amazing.
Rachel Kim and her family move from New York City to Seoul so that she can pursue her dreams of becoming a K-pop star. But now she's been training for six years, and she hasnt debuted yet. Training is hard and the other girls she's with don't make things any easier, and then she meets Jason Lee. Jason Lee is the biggest k-pop star right now, and he wants to hang out with Rachel. Will Rachel risk her chance to shine for Jason?
This was one of my favorite books I have read in a long time. Rachel is sweet, passionate and smart. She is hardworking, a good friend and close with her family. Her younger sister, Leah, looks up to her more than anything and her parents are very proud of her.
Since this book is written by a former k-pop star, the world is so well developed. The scenes in Seoul and every other location are so well written that you feel like you can see the scenes. I loved this so much.
Rachel and her friends are loyal and they support Rachel every step of the way. Since Rachel's mother is a bit more over protective than some of the other trainees parents, Rachel spends more time at school and at home than the others. So we get to see more of who Rachel is outside of the k-pop world.
This was just an amazing novel about hard work, friendship, first love, family, sacrifice and so much more. I highly recommend this one and I can NOT wait for the next one!!
Rachel Kim and her family move from New York City to Seoul so that she can pursue her dreams of becoming a K-pop star. But now she's been training for six years, and she hasnt debuted yet. Training is hard and the other girls she's with don't make things any easier, and then she meets Jason Lee. Jason Lee is the biggest k-pop star right now, and he wants to hang out with Rachel. Will Rachel risk her chance to shine for Jason?
This was one of my favorite books I have read in a long time. Rachel is sweet, passionate and smart. She is hardworking, a good friend and close with her family. Her younger sister, Leah, looks up to her more than anything and her parents are very proud of her.
Since this book is written by a former k-pop star, the world is so well developed. The scenes in Seoul and every other location are so well written that you feel like you can see the scenes. I loved this so much.
Rachel and her friends are loyal and they support Rachel every step of the way. Since Rachel's mother is a bit more over protective than some of the other trainees parents, Rachel spends more time at school and at home than the others. So we get to see more of who Rachel is outside of the k-pop world.
This was just an amazing novel about hard work, friendship, first love, family, sacrifice and so much more. I highly recommend this one and I can NOT wait for the next one!!
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
After dropping this four times, I finally finished it for good!
As a debut novel, I think this is a pretty good book. It was a light and fun read. However, I have to admit that I almost gave this two stars because of how hard it was to read the middle part of the book. It was just boring and not exciting to read. But the last few chapters kind of make it up to me.
I'm also a bit disappointed by how the book actually turned out. I was really excited to buy and read the book at first, and maybe I was expecting something more from a K-pop insider. But it turns out, the book only addresses matters that most people (who are familiar with K-pop) would probably already know (the double standards, the dating policy, etc).
Overall, it was a good read and for those who like K-pop more than I do, you would probably enjoy this more than I do.
As a debut novel, I think this is a pretty good book. It was a light and fun read. However, I have to admit that I almost gave this two stars because of how hard it was to read the middle part of the book. It was just boring and not exciting to read. But the last few chapters kind of make it up to me.
I'm also a bit disappointed by how the book actually turned out. I was really excited to buy and read the book at first, and maybe I was expecting something more from a K-pop insider. But it turns out, the book only addresses matters that most people (who are familiar with K-pop) would probably already know (the double standards, the dating policy, etc).
Overall, it was a good read and for those who like K-pop more than I do, you would probably enjoy this more than I do.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Alcohol
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Classism
There is a moment in which someone is drugged. This is mentioned frequently throughout the rest of the book.
*This arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*
I liked this book. It's about a Korean American girl named Rachel who has been recruited to the DR Entertainment which is Seoul's largest K-pop company and has to follow strict rules. The industry is dark and dangerous but Rachel doesn't know if she will make it to the end especially when she meets K-pop star Jason Lee. I'm surprised how well this book was written by a singer and how she most likely gave her view points of the music industry. The plot was well stuctured but the pacing sometimes was a little off either going to fast or slow.
The main character of this book is Rachel who is a sweet girl trying to become popular in the DR. She struggles a lot throughout the book but develops throughout the story. There is also the mean girl, Mina, who tries to ruin Rachel's way into the industry. Then there is Jason Lee who likes Rachel. My favorite character in this book is Leah which is Rachel's little sister. She is supportive of Rachel and I love the way she cares about Rachel a lot. I didn't feel that connection with the characters but I did enjoy them.
The story was enjoyable in this book but the message that the author was giving readers was a negative message. All I got from this book was negative vibes saying how toxic and bad it is for singers since they can't have the normal life they want and do things that they want. I wish there was such a positive message because I felt that Rachel was being forced into it even though she loved singing.
This was a good read and I love how the author is also a singer. There are still so many questions unsolved which I hope I can find my answers in the second book. I will be reading the second book when it comes out just to see what happens to Rachel. I recommend this to K-pop fans!
Blog tour coming on Thindbooks Blog (www.thindbooks.blogspot.com) on the week of the release date.
I liked this book. It's about a Korean American girl named Rachel who has been recruited to the DR Entertainment which is Seoul's largest K-pop company and has to follow strict rules. The industry is dark and dangerous but Rachel doesn't know if she will make it to the end especially when she meets K-pop star Jason Lee. I'm surprised how well this book was written by a singer and how she most likely gave her view points of the music industry. The plot was well stuctured but the pacing sometimes was a little off either going to fast or slow.
The main character of this book is Rachel who is a sweet girl trying to become popular in the DR. She struggles a lot throughout the book but develops throughout the story. There is also the mean girl, Mina, who tries to ruin Rachel's way into the industry. Then there is Jason Lee who likes Rachel. My favorite character in this book is Leah which is Rachel's little sister. She is supportive of Rachel and I love the way she cares about Rachel a lot. I didn't feel that connection with the characters but I did enjoy them.
The story was enjoyable in this book but the message that the author was giving readers was a negative message. All I got from this book was negative vibes saying how toxic and bad it is for singers since they can't have the normal life they want and do things that they want. I wish there was such a positive message because I felt that Rachel was being forced into it even though she loved singing.
This was a good read and I love how the author is also a singer. There are still so many questions unsolved which I hope I can find my answers in the second book. I will be reading the second book when it comes out just to see what happens to Rachel. I recommend this to K-pop fans!
Blog tour coming on Thindbooks Blog (www.thindbooks.blogspot.com) on the week of the release date.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes