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captwinghead 's review for:
I'll Be the One
by Lyla Lee
I really enjoyed this story!
I was pleasantly surprised by the discussions brought up in this book regarding representation. Similar to Flip the Script, this book discusses issues in the K-pop community regarding harassment, homophobia, and the differences in viewpoints of the younger generation v the older generation. This book has added discussions of fatphobia and expectations for idols which were greatly appreciated. They also discuss koreaboos, appropriation and there's a brief mention of anti blackness in the K-pop community, which I was pleasantly surprised to see.
The story itself is interesting. Part of my interest in this book was that I followed the cover model Isabelle on TikTok a long time ago. She's incredibly talented and it's still rough seeing people in her comment section so focused on her size and not her talent. There's a clip going around TikTok of a group of plus sized talent show competitors in a K-pop show that didn't go on to win, despite their phenomenal voices and stage presence. It made this book a little bittersweet as the only plus size Korean celebrities I've seen on Korean variety shows tend to be comedians. I can't think of any plus size idols, aside from the one group that ended up succumbing to public pressure and shrinking themselves eventually.
While at times the messaging in this book felt a little after school special-y, the ending was heartwarming. I was so surprised that the author fit in a mention of the treatment Black K-pop fans receive. Imani wasn't a big character, but I liked that she did the competition "for the Black K-pop fans" .
One thing that kind of upset me, though I feel it is real life: there's discussion of how what Skye's mother said to her was emotional abuse, but there's not a big wrap up on that. There's a point where I think one of her friends or Henry asks why she doesn't stay with her dad and I wondered why she didn't? I just think it must be really hard to not be able to just be in your own house without your mother criticizing everything you do. Although, the unrealistic beauty standards in South Korea are really well known. With Twice's Jeongyeon being my bias, I've seen how any idol others single out as being "bigger" than the average idol gets treated. It's awful.
So, it's definitely a recommend from me. I really enjoyed it and the discussions are still very relevant today in K-pop fandoms. Someday, I hope to see a plus size K-pop idol make it big!
I was pleasantly surprised by the discussions brought up in this book regarding representation. Similar to Flip the Script, this book discusses issues in the K-pop community regarding harassment, homophobia, and the differences in viewpoints of the younger generation v the older generation. This book has added discussions of fatphobia and expectations for idols which were greatly appreciated. They also discuss koreaboos, appropriation and there's a brief mention of anti blackness in the K-pop community, which I was pleasantly surprised to see.
The story itself is interesting. Part of my interest in this book was that I followed the cover model Isabelle on TikTok a long time ago. She's incredibly talented and it's still rough seeing people in her comment section so focused on her size and not her talent. There's a clip going around TikTok of a group of plus sized talent show competitors in a K-pop show that didn't go on to win, despite their phenomenal voices and stage presence. It made this book a little bittersweet as the only plus size Korean celebrities I've seen on Korean variety shows tend to be comedians. I can't think of any plus size idols, aside from the one group that ended up succumbing to public pressure and shrinking themselves eventually.
While at times the messaging in this book felt a little after school special-y, the ending was heartwarming.
Spoiler
Talent mattered the most at the end andSpoiler
and I honestly kind of want a follow up with her and Skye in Korea togetherOne thing that kind of upset me, though I feel it is real life: there's discussion of how what Skye's mother said to her was emotional abuse, but there's not a big wrap up on that.