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let me preface this by saying the ONLY reason i instantly added shine to my tbr was because i simply love jessica jung, as girls generation was literally my introduction into the gateway drug that is kpop, and despite my overwhelming bias (heh), i had no problems limiting my expectation because i knew how messy this could potentially turn out.
and i was??? kind of pleasantly surprised?? look, this by no means the perfect book. it doesn't have the most interesting, well-developed characters or the most exciting, realistic plot. It's actually kind of cheesy and even wattpad level cringy at times but for some reason i kind of enjoyed it? there's something addictive about it that had me listening to the audiobook whenever i could find the free time. it kept me entertained, and at the end of the day that's what i liked most about it.
whoever really thought jessica jung, who was an integral member of one of the biggest, most successful girl groups and subsequently under one of south korea's most powerful entertainment companies, would be completely spilling all the dark, gritty secrets of her time as an idol probably doesn't fully understand the industry and how that can still, years later, damage her personally. and while i didn't expect anything mindblowing, i WAS kind of wanting just more in-depth tidbits of idol life? we already know about how rigorously idols train and the dumb dating ban but i wanted to read about aspects perhaps less known. although with the way shine ended, maybe this will be better explored in the sequel.
our main character, rachel was likable and someone i found myself wanting to see succeed in her dream. the love interest jason was kind of basic and corny but i liked the way jung used his relationship with rachel to show how rampant sexism is in the industry. honestly, i wasn't expecting that to be such a big theme of the book but i'm really glad it was!
i'd rather not spoil too much, but while shine has it's fair share of cheesy. suspending disbelief moments, i do think it's a fast-paced, entertaining read, especially if you go the audiobook route. definitely will be checking out the sequel when it releases!
and i was??? kind of pleasantly surprised?? look, this by no means the perfect book. it doesn't have the most interesting, well-developed characters or the most exciting, realistic plot. It's actually kind of cheesy and even wattpad level cringy at times but for some reason i kind of enjoyed it? there's something addictive about it that had me listening to the audiobook whenever i could find the free time. it kept me entertained, and at the end of the day that's what i liked most about it.
whoever really thought jessica jung, who was an integral member of one of the biggest, most successful girl groups and subsequently under one of south korea's most powerful entertainment companies, would be completely spilling all the dark, gritty secrets of her time as an idol probably doesn't fully understand the industry and how that can still, years later, damage her personally. and while i didn't expect anything mindblowing, i WAS kind of wanting just more in-depth tidbits of idol life? we already know about how rigorously idols train and the dumb dating ban but i wanted to read about aspects perhaps less known. although with the way shine ended, maybe this will be better explored in the sequel.
our main character, rachel was likable and someone i found myself wanting to see succeed in her dream. the love interest jason was kind of basic and corny but i liked the way jung used his relationship with rachel to show how rampant sexism is in the industry. honestly, i wasn't expecting that to be such a big theme of the book but i'm really glad it was!
i'd rather not spoil too much, but while shine has it's fair share of cheesy. suspending disbelief moments, i do think it's a fast-paced, entertaining read, especially if you go the audiobook route. definitely will be checking out the sequel when it releases!