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3.16 AVERAGE
3.16 AVERAGE
Lots of thoughts; I read with the thought that there would be some easter eggs about the girls. But as I read further I realized it's really about Jessica and SM. It's their story. It gave us a bit of a glimpse how the industry works behind the scene. She touched mostly what we all know trainees have to go through just to debut: the trainee's struggles, the no-dating policy, and "slave" contract. Of course, the bullying trope is included, which isn't really a surprise as that's always been heard of in the industry - specially during training days.
I wasn't really expecting a lot story and writing wise as this is her first novel. But overall it was entertaining. From time to time I can't help but relate it in real life and think who is who. As an added bonus there's a fanservice to Canada (and Canadians!), which was cute.
I wasn't really expecting a lot story and writing wise as this is her first novel. But overall it was entertaining. From time to time I can't help but relate it in real life and think who is who. As an added bonus there's a fanservice to Canada (and Canadians!), which was cute.
yeah...no. this book was so one-dimensional as were all the characters.
things just move from one event to the other with no real resolution. That ending was abrupt and incomplete which would've been an interesting concept had it been executed correctly.
sadly the book fell flat as soon as I reached the first quarter and I'm baffled that so much happened yet nothing really happened.
I know Jessica Jung pulled from her own experiences and life as a k-pop star and no doubt the gruelling training she went through. I loved the idea of shedding light on the double standard within the k-pop industry; how male and female stars are treated differently, the leniency males stars are allowed, especially after debut, yet female stars live this pro-longed trainee type situation where they still need to watch each and every step, debuted or not —but the book just went no-where with this.
We were told what we know and it was as if we laid down and accepted it.
Don't get me wrong, I wasn't expecting some revolution but some form of challenge to the misogyny, sexism and toxicity of the k-pop industry would have been ideal. But this just came off as some strange young adult, memoire hybrid.
I don't know much about Girl's Generation and Jessica Jung so I would never discredit her and her experiences she's reflected in this book - sadly, i don't think much can be taken away from it either.
things just move from one event to the other with no real resolution. That ending was abrupt and incomplete which would've been an interesting concept had it been executed correctly.
sadly the book fell flat as soon as I reached the first quarter and I'm baffled that so much happened yet nothing really happened.
I know Jessica Jung pulled from her own experiences and life as a k-pop star and no doubt the gruelling training she went through. I loved the idea of shedding light on the double standard within the k-pop industry; how male and female stars are treated differently, the leniency males stars are allowed, especially after debut, yet female stars live this pro-longed trainee type situation where they still need to watch each and every step, debuted or not —but the book just went no-where with this.
We were told what we know and it was as if we laid down and accepted it.
Don't get me wrong, I wasn't expecting some revolution but some form of challenge to the misogyny, sexism and toxicity of the k-pop industry would have been ideal. But this just came off as some strange young adult, memoire hybrid.
I don't know much about Girl's Generation and Jessica Jung so I would never discredit her and her experiences she's reflected in this book - sadly, i don't think much can be taken away from it either.
Ugh, this is... pretty much what I expected it to be. Unlikeable characters, too much drama, and unrealistic situations. If Jessica Jung gave us some real insider dirt on the trainee / debut experience, this book would've been worthwhile.
If this really was her trainee / debut experience, well... that sucks lol. But I can't imagine that she had ZERO friends while part of SNSD.
If this really was her trainee / debut experience, well... that sucks lol. But I can't imagine that she had ZERO friends while part of SNSD.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This was an enjoyable book that covers some surprisingly mature themes for a YA novel. Given who the author is, I would not be surprised if most of what happens in this book has actually happened to her or other K-pop stars. Definitely an illuminating look behind the scenes.
I liked the evolution of Rachel and Mina's relationship, from enemies to almost friends back to enemies etc. Frankly, it was much more interesting than Rachel's relationship with Jason. Looking forward to seeing more of this dynamic in the second book.
I wish at the end that
One odd thing was that the book initially made a big deal about weigh-ins and the girls having to basically starve themselves, but later Rachel is shown to be scarfing down delicious-sounding food on her dates with Jason (which is great! Good for her!) and nothing is said about whether or not there will be consequences at her next weigh-in.
I liked the evolution of Rachel and Mina's relationship, from enemies to almost friends back to enemies etc. Frankly, it was much more interesting than Rachel's relationship with Jason. Looking forward to seeing more of this dynamic in the second book.
I wish at the end that
Spoiler
Rachel had said screw it and left K-pop and Jason behind. Instead, there a rather rushed/contrived set of circumstances led to her being the star of a newly formed girl group, thus setting up the sequel. At least she and Jason didn't fully reconcile, although I assume that will change again in the second book.One odd thing was that the book initially made a big deal about weigh-ins and the girls having to basically starve themselves, but later Rachel is shown to be scarfing down delicious-sounding food on her dates with Jason (which is great! Good for her!) and nothing is said about whether or not there will be consequences at her next weigh-in.
hopeful
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:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
A very interesting ending
Solid debut!
I’d highly recommend it for every curious cat who wants a glimpse behind the scenes of the kpop world who lived through it
Solid debut!
I’d highly recommend it for every curious cat who wants a glimpse behind the scenes of the kpop world who lived through it
Content warnings: fat shaming, vomit, slut shaming, sexism/misogyny, bullying, emotional abuse
Ok so you may have seen kpop content on my blog before and you may have seen me review kpop books before. If it wasn’t obvious I’m a fan of the genre. And I have been for 9 years now. When I was 17 I somehow stumbled upon Girls’ Generation (SNSD) on youtube (I think it was the Oh! music video) and was like “what on earth is this?” but I also couldn’t stop thinking about this group. Their music was catchy, they were super pretty and their choreography was fun. And that’s what began my love of kpop. So when I saw Jessica was releasing a book I was intrigued. I wasn’t sure what the book would be like based on my knowledge of Jessica as a person but I was preemptively excited because whilst there have been a lot of kpop novels recently, this would be the first with insider knowledge.
Rachel Kim has been a trainee in Korea since she was 11, its been 7 year and her chances of debuting are dwindling. Her family gave up their lives in the US to get her a chance to be a star, so of when rumours that DB Entertainment is launching a new girl group she knows she needs to fight tooth and nail to get a spot. But she isn’t the only one ready to fight.
This isn’t the tea spill it was hyped to be. I think anything that Jessica says in relation to her history with kpop is picked over with a fine-tooth comb due to the nature of her exit from Girls’ Generation, so I understand why people were hoping that maybe they would get some answers in this book. But I honestly knew that there wouldn’t be any serious gossip in this novel because that could end up in a lawsuit as laws in Korea about defamation are pretty serious. I also imagine when Jessica left Girls’ Generation and SM Ent. that she probably signed an NDA.
Continue my review on my blog: https://kirstyreadsblog.com/2020/10/09/shine-by-jessica-jung-review/
Ok so you may have seen kpop content on my blog before and you may have seen me review kpop books before. If it wasn’t obvious I’m a fan of the genre. And I have been for 9 years now. When I was 17 I somehow stumbled upon Girls’ Generation (SNSD) on youtube (I think it was the Oh! music video) and was like “what on earth is this?” but I also couldn’t stop thinking about this group. Their music was catchy, they were super pretty and their choreography was fun. And that’s what began my love of kpop. So when I saw Jessica was releasing a book I was intrigued. I wasn’t sure what the book would be like based on my knowledge of Jessica as a person but I was preemptively excited because whilst there have been a lot of kpop novels recently, this would be the first with insider knowledge.
Rachel Kim has been a trainee in Korea since she was 11, its been 7 year and her chances of debuting are dwindling. Her family gave up their lives in the US to get her a chance to be a star, so of when rumours that DB Entertainment is launching a new girl group she knows she needs to fight tooth and nail to get a spot. But she isn’t the only one ready to fight.
This isn’t the tea spill it was hyped to be. I think anything that Jessica says in relation to her history with kpop is picked over with a fine-tooth comb due to the nature of her exit from Girls’ Generation, so I understand why people were hoping that maybe they would get some answers in this book. But I honestly knew that there wouldn’t be any serious gossip in this novel because that could end up in a lawsuit as laws in Korea about defamation are pretty serious. I also imagine when Jessica left Girls’ Generation and SM Ent. that she probably signed an NDA.
Continue my review on my blog: https://kirstyreadsblog.com/2020/10/09/shine-by-jessica-jung-review/
Ehhhhhhh I like the cover but the writing didn't really do anything for me. It's not really a scandalous deep dive into the Kpop industry, and the characters aren't nuanced enough to carry the story. It was kind of a grab bag of tropes, but parts were fun and the food descriptions were excellent.