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3.16 AVERAGE
3.16 AVERAGE
I throughly enjoyed this book. I really can’t wait for the next one.
I've been a K-pop fan for 5 years now, and Girls Generation (a.k.a. SNSD) was one of the first groups I had discovered. Considering that 'Shine' is written by Jessica, a popular Kpop star and a former member of SNSD, and the story seemed semi-autobiographical from the synopsis, I expected it to be an authentic insider look behind the glitz and glamour of being a Kpop star/trainee. It was that for just 30% of the story, the rest 70% felt like a clichéd teen rom-com script. The male love interest is interchangeable with every early 2000s American teen movie lead, and so is the "bitchy" villain. I was quite confused with the timeline for the most part because the treatment of the story seemed quite dated. Despite pop culture references from as close-to-date as 2019, the story and the central romance felt more suited to early 2000s' sensibilities, which would have made a lot of sense if they'd stuck to that timeline as Jessica was a trainee around that time too.
I had to struggle through this book because I am too old for YA fiction, but I would also definitely read the sequel if she decides to write one. The first one is about trainee life, the second one would be about the Kpop star life - and I would be lying if I said I wasn't curious. Her writing is just fine, but I would rather read a "fictional" story about Kpop stars/trainees written by a real one than by an outsider.
I had to struggle through this book because I am too old for YA fiction, but I would also definitely read the sequel if she decides to write one. The first one is about trainee life, the second one would be about the Kpop star life - and I would be lying if I said I wasn't curious. Her writing is just fine, but I would rather read a "fictional" story about Kpop stars/trainees written by a real one than by an outsider.
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I was rooting for Jessica when she announced she would release a book. Now I have read it, and truthfully, it's not my cup of tea. I loved that she showed us a side of Kpop, but the characters feel very flat
It was very well written and quite interesting. I had to keep reading to know what would happen.
Ultimately, I disliked the main characters and didn't feel much for the relationships and secondary characters. Also, the ending was dissatisfying.
I am glad I read it, though. Thinking about how the things that the characters went through reflect things that probably really do happen in the kpop industry is very eye opening.
Ultimately, I disliked the main characters and didn't feel much for the relationships and secondary characters. Also, the ending was dissatisfying.
I am glad I read it, though. Thinking about how the things that the characters went through reflect things that probably really do happen in the kpop industry is very eye opening.
First of all, I’m a huge fan of Jessica and Girls’ Generation that is why I was really exhilarated to be finally reading this.
The story revolves around Rachel Kim, a K-POP trainee of DB Entertainment for almost 7 years and has an impeccable singing voice. Her family was originally from New York and had to move to South Korea just to fulfill her dream of being a K-POP star and stand on a stage that she had always been dreaming for. Until one unforgettable event that totally changed the course of her life or maybe the chance of finally debuting. The story also tackled about the shocking and dark truth of the entertainment industry and whether our protagonist would be able to survive it all or just give up the dream she trained for almost 7 years.
Okay, so, one thing I could say about this book is how fast-paced it is especially with the relationship of Jason and Rachel, though I’m really up for it because am really a sucker for this kind of trope and had me really squealing at some of their moments. The relationship of Rachel and Leah as sisters were truly precious and had me wishing that I have a younger sister. Her mother who, as a lot of mother are, just wants her daughter to have a future and is constantly breathing down her neck about college; her father who is just funny and is really a family oriented man. A lot of issues were also mentioned in the story, the body shaming, racism, bullying and sexist that honestly made me uncomfortable although am fully aware that the author just want to duly express those harsh happenings that is also evident today.
Upon reading through the book, I really can't shake this feeling that all of the ordeals Rachel Kim faced was the very experience of Jessica when she was in the industry and honestly, this truly just proved of how truly cruel the industry is and just want to present this perfectly structured image of theirs without really thinking the people who worked hard to achieve what they are right now.
Also, the ending was just rushed and condensed for it to jump into the sequel and many questions were totally left unanswered that I hope would be tackled in the second book (which I'm patiently and excitedly waiting). I really enjoyed this though the plot can be trite and Jessica's writing style wasn't bad for a beginner, the prose were good and some surely hits home.
The story revolves around Rachel Kim, a K-POP trainee of DB Entertainment for almost 7 years and has an impeccable singing voice. Her family was originally from New York and had to move to South Korea just to fulfill her dream of being a K-POP star and stand on a stage that she had always been dreaming for. Until one unforgettable event that totally changed the course of her life or maybe the chance of finally debuting. The story also tackled about the shocking and dark truth of the entertainment industry and whether our protagonist would be able to survive it all or just give up the dream she trained for almost 7 years.
Okay, so, one thing I could say about this book is how fast-paced it is especially with the relationship of Jason and Rachel, though I’m really up for it because am really a sucker for this kind of trope and had me really squealing at some of their moments. The relationship of Rachel and Leah as sisters were truly precious and had me wishing that I have a younger sister. Her mother who, as a lot of mother are, just wants her daughter to have a future and is constantly breathing down her neck about college; her father who is just funny and is really a family oriented man. A lot of issues were also mentioned in the story, the body shaming, racism, bullying and sexist that honestly made me uncomfortable although am fully aware that the author just want to duly express those harsh happenings that is also evident today.
Upon reading through the book, I really can't shake this feeling that all of the ordeals Rachel Kim faced was the very experience of Jessica when she was in the industry and honestly, this truly just proved of how truly cruel the industry is and just want to present this perfectly structured image of theirs without really thinking the people who worked hard to achieve what they are right now.
Also, the ending was just rushed and condensed for it to jump into the sequel and many questions were totally left unanswered that I hope would be tackled in the second book (which I'm patiently and excitedly waiting). I really enjoyed this though the plot can be trite and Jessica's writing style wasn't bad for a beginner, the prose were good and some surely hits home.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thank you to Simon & Schuster/NetGalley for providing this digital ARC of Shine in exchange for an honest review.
Like many other Girls' Generation fans, I was intrigued by the idea of tea in novel form from the controversially departed Jessica Jung. This book near skyrocketed to the top of my reading list as soon as it was announced. Yet to my surprise, Shine turned out to be so much more than a poorly veiled tell-all. In fact, to mistake it as such is a disservice to what Jung has actually pulled off here: a well-balanced exploration of the fantasy of following one's dream and staying true to one's self within a morally murky industry.
The twists and turns were abundant following Rachel Kim's journey from trainee to star. While its cover promised love and K-pop, Shine also deftly delved into ideas of cultural conflict, industry manipulation and systemic sexism. All the while, the growth Rachel went through as a person is what carried me to the end.
Yet, the focus on Rachel was almost a disservice to the rest of the cast who were often one-note and lacked unique voices. I would have loved to see more development of Mina beyond the villainous archetype she represented especially. Similarly, the seemingly catastrophic events that Rachel went through somehow always worked out. The continued lack of fallout (though the subplot with Kang Jina haunted these scenes) left a real disconnect. At points I felt myself finding the book leaning more into makjang drama antics than a cohesive novel.
Ultimately, the good outweighed the bad in Shine and I couldn't help reading it all in one sitting. I'd definitely suggest it for an introspective look at what the journey to becoming an idol is like. Don't expect to get all the deets on 9/30 here but squint and maybe the occasional parallel is here and there.
Like many other Girls' Generation fans, I was intrigued by the idea of tea in novel form from the controversially departed Jessica Jung. This book near skyrocketed to the top of my reading list as soon as it was announced. Yet to my surprise, Shine turned out to be so much more than a poorly veiled tell-all. In fact, to mistake it as such is a disservice to what Jung has actually pulled off here: a well-balanced exploration of the fantasy of following one's dream and staying true to one's self within a morally murky industry.
The twists and turns were abundant following Rachel Kim's journey from trainee to star. While its cover promised love and K-pop, Shine also deftly delved into ideas of cultural conflict, industry manipulation and systemic sexism. All the while, the growth Rachel went through as a person is what carried me to the end.
Yet, the focus on Rachel was almost a disservice to the rest of the cast who were often one-note and lacked unique voices. I would have loved to see more development of Mina beyond the villainous archetype she represented especially. Similarly, the seemingly catastrophic events that Rachel went through somehow always worked out. The continued lack of fallout (though the subplot with Kang Jina haunted these scenes) left a real disconnect. At points I felt myself finding the book leaning more into makjang drama antics than a cohesive novel.
Ultimately, the good outweighed the bad in Shine and I couldn't help reading it all in one sitting. I'd definitely suggest it for an introspective look at what the journey to becoming an idol is like. Don't expect to get all the deets on 9/30 here but squint and maybe the occasional parallel is here and there.
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced