811 reviews for:

Shine

Jessica Jung

3.16 AVERAGE


I read this as anthropology, and it delivered on that front. Interesting realistic insight into the trainee system from someone who went through it successfully. Romantic plot line sometimes veered into cringy fanfic territory but she pulled it back into realism successfully. Very clearly written for a movie adaptation, which isn’t a bad thing imo.
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retrolove's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 10%

all of a sudden i asked myself: why am i reading this? bang! dnf

2.5
I wish she could have written an autobiography instead but I understand it might not have been in her best interest. This wasn't at all enlightening as I'd hoped, and the characters got on my nerves at times. If there's a sequel I'll probably read it just because it's an interesting enough perspective and I hope to learn more about what the author might have gone through.
funny tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

There is not one likable character.  The girls so chatty.  I found every just annoying!
hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Didn't hate it didn't love it

So, this is the second book based on K-pop that I've read, and while I'm not saying this isn't authentic to the K-pop experience, because I'm sure it is, being written by a former K-pop star, I get the feeling that all books based on K-pop are going to be the same. Restrictive diet, toxic competitiveness with other girls, toxic masculinity, sexism, all of that, and I just wish that this one had been slightly different.

There was such a great opportunity for the author to make Rachel and Mina actually friends, and not enemies, and I just feel disappointed that it didn't happen.

Also, the main character was really annoying. She was so self-centred, I just couldn't stand her.

TW for extreme dieting, calorie counting, body shaming, etc.

Girls’ Generation was one of the first K-pop groups I ever stan. So, when Jessica announced she published a book; I was thrilled for all the shade and tea that she was about to throw at the industry.

First off, I am not one to say anything about covers, but a book by Jessica Jung, I was expecting a more aesthetically pleasing cover or at least something involving the characters.

The story itself was average. I am pretty sure, she intentionally made the story end in not all glitz and glamour to really demonstrate the reality of the K-pop industry. Also, I hated how some of the chapters were a bit choppy.

This is probably the closest Jessica will get to tell her story and I know she said that the main character, Rachael isn’t really her. However, what are the coincidences that Rachel is about to debut in a 9-member girl group, Rachel’s agency is a two-letter company name, and Rachel has a sister named Leah; who later wants to join the industry as well. Not to mention the company not really letting their idols’ creativity be released; which we find out with Kang Jina and Jason, this was definitely a major shade.

In the story, we meet Kang Jina, an idol in a “senior” girl group of the company but who is later kicked out. I’m sure that Jina is a reflection of Jessica. All that happened with Jina’s character pretty much happened to Jessica.

I’m glad she shed light on the double standards on female and male idols. I wasn’t a fan of many characters in the book, but it makes me wonder who was the Mina character in real life?!?! Mina was one of the most toxic characters in this book. Despite the fact that Jessica tries to evoke sympathy from us with Mina’s father's treatment of her.

Jason- as well is another toxic character in this book (in the second half). At first, I wasn’t sure where Jessica was going between Jason and Rachel. Both characters are young, and I didn’t want Rachel to waste her time settling down to be with him. I was very glad about Rachel treating him at the end.

Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

3.5
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No