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3.17 AVERAGE
3.17 AVERAGE
Star Rating: 3.75
On the one hand, writing-wise, this is not a hard read. The voice is easy to follow and the story moves at an easily digestible pace. On the other hand, this was an incredibly difficult book for me to continue reading.
Because I am a K-Pop fan, and not just a fan, but a long-time fan, long before most of the US knew this genre existed. In fact, it really was just Korean Pop when I started listening, not the mega genre it is today. Which means I remember still when the author's girl group debuted. I remember what gossip lists and "news" and "fans" would say about her over the years and decade since. Which means while this story is fiction, I can also recognize the many realities that come from being a member of the industry and from being Jessica Jung herself.
I adore K-pop for the love of Korean language and culture and bubblegum pop music. But I know the realities of what K-Pop is as an industry and it hurt to read those realities put to the page. It is brutal and unforgiving, but it's wrapped in a shimmering bow to hide the claws and teeth and scars. If you want your fluffy K-Pop contemporary read, I highly suggest I'll Be the One first. But if what you want a K-Pop story that has everything that K-Pop actually is, then buckle up, because you'll find it here.
On the one hand, writing-wise, this is not a hard read. The voice is easy to follow and the story moves at an easily digestible pace. On the other hand, this was an incredibly difficult book for me to continue reading.
Because I am a K-Pop fan, and not just a fan, but a long-time fan, long before most of the US knew this genre existed. In fact, it really was just Korean Pop when I started listening, not the mega genre it is today. Which means I remember still when the author's girl group debuted. I remember what gossip lists and "news" and "fans" would say about her over the years and decade since. Which means while this story is fiction, I can also recognize the many realities that come from being a member of the industry and from being Jessica Jung herself.
I adore K-pop for the love of Korean language and culture and bubblegum pop music. But I know the realities of what K-Pop is as an industry and it hurt to read those realities put to the page. It is brutal and unforgiving, but it's wrapped in a shimmering bow to hide the claws and teeth and scars. If you want your fluffy K-Pop contemporary read, I highly suggest I'll Be the One first. But if what you want a K-Pop story that has everything that K-Pop actually is, then buckle up, because you'll find it here.
lighthearted
fast-paced
"When we feel like we cannot do this any longer, we remember that we already have, and we will again."
Anyone who wonders about the life of a k-pop trainee before limelight? Shine is the perfect book for you. Written by the former k-pop member of the phenomenal girl group Girls' Generation, @jessica.syj
Born in New York, Rachel Kim got cast as a trainee under DB Entertainment to be an idol. The Kim's packed and brought their life all the way to Korea. After six years of being a trainee, a mom who opposes her dreams, an archenemy who despises her, and an 'angel boy' who adores her, Rachel has to bear it all to debut and shine.
Rachel Kim is the epitome of an idol & I wholeheartedly applaud her fierce and rational personality. Oh, I had butterflies while flipping pages smiled at Rachel & Jason, and awed at the end.
What a clever & sparkling debut novel from Jessica Jung.
Anyone who wonders about the life of a k-pop trainee before limelight? Shine is the perfect book for you. Written by the former k-pop member of the phenomenal girl group Girls' Generation, @jessica.syj
Born in New York, Rachel Kim got cast as a trainee under DB Entertainment to be an idol. The Kim's packed and brought their life all the way to Korea. After six years of being a trainee, a mom who opposes her dreams, an archenemy who despises her, and an 'angel boy' who adores her, Rachel has to bear it all to debut and shine.
Rachel Kim is the epitome of an idol & I wholeheartedly applaud her fierce and rational personality. Oh, I had butterflies while flipping pages smiled at Rachel & Jason, and awed at the end.
What a clever & sparkling debut novel from Jessica Jung.
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Ohmigod this is so toxic. She's like everything is awful I had to Fight for this. Okay girl then don't debut!!!! Reading this made me want to abolish the k-pop industry!!!! Huh???? Don't get me wrong I did enjoy reading this but like I'm not quite sure what my takeaway should be.
Did Jessica SNSD spills everything the dark side of Korea music industry?
Shine tells the journey of 17 years old American-Korean, a trainee at DB Entertainment, Rachel Kim chasing her dream to become a kpop star.
The first half of the book quite boring, I almost DNF this book, but I keep continue, and its getting better through the second half of the story.
I can see the similarities between Rachel Kim (the protagonist) and Jessica SNSD (the writer herself); Korean-American, has a little sister (Leah, Krystal FX), 9 girls debuted in a group (Girls Forever, Girls Generation).
I must say, I've so much feeling after I finished Shine.
Not to mention, the double standard between a female trainee and male trainee. One set of rules for female and another rules for the opposite gender.
I get that Shine is Jessica's debut novel, and too bad the characters are boring and flat, I don't enjoy all relationships in this book. I don't want to touch on the plot, oh my god, the plot holes, the storyline is messed up.
Shine tells the journey of 17 years old American-Korean, a trainee at DB Entertainment, Rachel Kim chasing her dream to become a kpop star.
The first half of the book quite boring, I almost DNF this book, but I keep continue, and its getting better through the second half of the story.
I can see the similarities between Rachel Kim (the protagonist) and Jessica SNSD (the writer herself); Korean-American, has a little sister (Leah, Krystal FX), 9 girls debuted in a group (Girls Forever, Girls Generation).
I must say, I've so much feeling after I finished Shine.
Not to mention, the double standard between a female trainee and male trainee. One set of rules for female and another rules for the opposite gender.
I get that Shine is Jessica's debut novel, and too bad the characters are boring and flat, I don't enjoy all relationships in this book. I don't want to touch on the plot, oh my god, the plot holes, the storyline is messed up.
Shine takes all the best parts of K-pop and K-drama and rolls them together in a perfect blend, hitting every note just right. Had to order the second book in the series with overnight delivery. So, addictive.
It was a little too predictable, to be honest. It’s literally a chick-lit so I’m not really a big fan of it. The ending was a little bit too rush, I guess? Other than that, this takes place in Korea and it shows girls on their trainee days (which it sucks so much) journey on their way to debut. Nothing is really colourful & majestic if you want to be famous and well known. Lots of struggles and effort and I means lots of it! Wow, Korea can be so competitive that it gives me a different perspective on how other kpop stars really did to succeed.
Jessica is from SNSD (Girls Generation) kpop group so whenever she mentions Mina, I can’t help but to imagine someone in that group who treats her like that. As for Rachel, of course I imagine it as Jessica herself. I was hoping in the story, they might get along but no. So does that mean why Jessica was not happy during her SNSD time? Humm we will always wonder.
Jessica is from SNSD (Girls Generation) kpop group so whenever she mentions Mina, I can’t help but to imagine someone in that group who treats her like that. As for Rachel, of course I imagine it as Jessica herself. I was hoping in the story, they might get along but no. So does that mean why Jessica was not happy during her SNSD time? Humm we will always wonder.
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
tense
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:
Yes
Actual rating: 3,5
Aku punya penilaian secara objektif dan subjektif soal buku ini. Yang objektif lebih dulu.
Pertama, terjemahannya enak buat diikuti, yah bisa dibilang khas banget lah, YA ala-ala yang bahas soal Sokor atau K-Pop sendiri.
Kedua, tema besar bukunya yang emang dreams come true, jadi walaupun ada masalah tetap bisa survive (ya iyalah, namanya juga ada premis hadehhh). Kesannya emang TGTBT sih, tujuannya, tapi yah sekali lagi, ini bicara soal mimpi.
Ketiga, hmm, kalo karakter-karakternya sih, bagiku oke. Ada layer, walaupun nggak berlapis. Beberapa kali kaget-tapi-nggak-kaget (loh) sama Jason. Yah, apa yang bisa diharapkan dari idol macam dia, sih. Kayak apa ya ibaratnya, kalo sekali menjalani hubungan bisa dapat exposure berlipat, kenapa enggak? In a word, manipulatif. Kesel sih, cuman ya dalam industri K-pop hal-hal yang kayak gitu emang perlu juga, kan, buat bertahan.
Kayaknya dari sisi objektivitas itu aja sih, walaupun aku nggak yakin apa 3 ppoin di atas tuh, udah objektif apa belum xD
Dari segi subjektivitas, aku kurang sreg sama gaya kepenulisannya. Kalo bentukannya novel lokal udah pasti dikomen bagian info dumping, sih, cuman karena ini terjemahan jadi yah kurang lebih dimaklumi, lah (sebenernya aku nggak tau, sih, ada pakem atau enggak soal hal ini di novel luar).
Terus yang mau aku bahas soal kehidupan trainee itu sendiri. Ehem, warning aja, ini bakalan jadi semacam opini seorang fangirl yang ngikutin K-pop dari generasi 2.
Rumor soal trainee yang gagal debut karena kencan bukan hal baru, sih. Di buku ini ada sedikit sentilan soal itu, walaupun sesama trainee jelas nggak tahu mendetail. Benar atau enggak, tetap jadi misteri. Lagipula, trainee pasti nggak sempat mikirin hal lain karena yah pelatihan itu sendiri udah berat, ditambah setiap hal yang bikin mereka awas buat debut. Pertimbangan agensi buat debutin salah seorang trainee juga banyak ngaruh ke mental para trainee.
Yang Rachel rasain itu emang beralasan banget. Banyak bukti trainee gagal debut padahal udah ngikutin pelatihan selama >6 tahun. Wow, setahun aja berasa lama banget, apalagi sampe 6 tahun lebih. Pernah ada juga, tuh, trainee yang udah di-spill ke publik, tapi sampai sekarang gagal debut juga (IYKWIM). Sedih, pake banget. Jadi, lihat gimana ngoyo-nya Rachel, bisa dipahami, lah.
Soal loyalitas. Haha, ini sensitif sebetulnya karena nggak cuma muncul sekali rumor para member dari grup yang debut ternyata nggak dekat. Aku nggak mention atau bahas soal grup asal dari penulis buku ini, ya. Ini bahas secara umum. Dekat nggak dekat, fans nggak bisa lihat di belakang layar gimana. Idol itu juga diajari kelas media waktu pelatihan, jadi bukannya nggak mungkin hal semacam menceritakan hubungan bisa dibuat di depan kamera. Dahlah, entar malah tambah panjang bahas ini doang.
Terakhir, soal kontrak agensi yang ternyata "menjebak". LOL jujur baru tahu setelah ada kasus dari salah satu grup akhir-akhir ini. Aku stan banyak grup, jadi yang diketahui ya hal umum-umum aja. Nggak nyangka ternyata kontrak budak itu ada. Gila, pantes yang kelihatan fine-fine aja, malah milih keluar agensi, dll.
Intinya, buku ini banyak kasih insight soal dunia pelatihan dan mendekati debut. Dibalut dengan cerita seorang remaja berkebangsaan Amerika-Korea yang jatuh cinta dengan K-Pop sejak usia belia dan berusaha keras buat mewujudkan impiannya sebagai salah satu bintang K-Pop. Narasi dan terjemahannya emang ngalir, sih, tapi berasa nggak ada jeda, jadi agak bikin bosen.
Aku punya penilaian secara objektif dan subjektif soal buku ini. Yang objektif lebih dulu.
Pertama, terjemahannya enak buat diikuti, yah bisa dibilang khas banget lah, YA ala-ala yang bahas soal Sokor atau K-Pop sendiri.
Kedua, tema besar bukunya yang emang dreams come true, jadi walaupun ada masalah tetap bisa survive (ya iyalah, namanya juga ada premis hadehhh). Kesannya emang TGTBT sih, tujuannya, tapi yah sekali lagi, ini bicara soal mimpi.
Ketiga, hmm, kalo karakter-karakternya sih, bagiku oke. Ada layer, walaupun nggak berlapis. Beberapa kali kaget-tapi-nggak-kaget (loh) sama Jason. Yah, apa yang bisa diharapkan dari idol macam dia, sih. Kayak apa ya ibaratnya, kalo sekali menjalani hubungan bisa dapat exposure berlipat, kenapa enggak? In a word, manipulatif. Kesel sih, cuman ya dalam industri K-pop hal-hal yang kayak gitu emang perlu juga, kan, buat bertahan.
Kayaknya dari sisi objektivitas itu aja sih, walaupun aku nggak yakin apa 3 ppoin di atas tuh, udah objektif apa belum xD
Dari segi subjektivitas, aku kurang sreg sama gaya kepenulisannya. Kalo bentukannya novel lokal udah pasti dikomen bagian info dumping, sih, cuman karena ini terjemahan jadi yah kurang lebih dimaklumi, lah (sebenernya aku nggak tau, sih, ada pakem atau enggak soal hal ini di novel luar).
Terus yang mau aku bahas soal kehidupan trainee itu sendiri. Ehem, warning aja, ini bakalan jadi semacam opini seorang fangirl yang ngikutin K-pop dari generasi 2.
Rumor soal trainee yang gagal debut karena kencan bukan hal baru, sih. Di buku ini ada sedikit sentilan soal itu, walaupun sesama trainee jelas nggak tahu mendetail. Benar atau enggak, tetap jadi misteri. Lagipula, trainee pasti nggak sempat mikirin hal lain karena yah pelatihan itu sendiri udah berat, ditambah setiap hal yang bikin mereka awas buat debut. Pertimbangan agensi buat debutin salah seorang trainee juga banyak ngaruh ke mental para trainee.
Yang Rachel rasain itu emang beralasan banget. Banyak bukti trainee gagal debut padahal udah ngikutin pelatihan selama >6 tahun. Wow, setahun aja berasa lama banget, apalagi sampe 6 tahun lebih. Pernah ada juga, tuh, trainee yang udah di-spill ke publik, tapi sampai sekarang gagal debut juga (IYKWIM). Sedih, pake banget. Jadi, lihat gimana ngoyo-nya Rachel, bisa dipahami, lah.
Soal loyalitas. Haha, ini sensitif sebetulnya karena nggak cuma muncul sekali rumor para member dari grup yang debut ternyata nggak dekat. Aku nggak mention atau bahas soal grup asal dari penulis buku ini, ya. Ini bahas secara umum. Dekat nggak dekat, fans nggak bisa lihat di belakang layar gimana. Idol itu juga diajari kelas media waktu pelatihan, jadi bukannya nggak mungkin hal semacam menceritakan hubungan bisa dibuat di depan kamera. Dahlah, entar malah tambah panjang bahas ini doang.
Terakhir, soal kontrak agensi yang ternyata "menjebak". LOL jujur baru tahu setelah ada kasus dari salah satu grup akhir-akhir ini. Aku stan banyak grup, jadi yang diketahui ya hal umum-umum aja. Nggak nyangka ternyata kontrak budak itu ada. Gila, pantes yang kelihatan fine-fine aja, malah milih keluar agensi, dll.
Intinya, buku ini banyak kasih insight soal dunia pelatihan dan mendekati debut. Dibalut dengan cerita seorang remaja berkebangsaan Amerika-Korea yang jatuh cinta dengan K-Pop sejak usia belia dan berusaha keras buat mewujudkan impiannya sebagai salah satu bintang K-Pop. Narasi dan terjemahannya emang ngalir, sih, tapi berasa nggak ada jeda, jadi agak bikin bosen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Very entertaining, can't wait for the sequel