Shine

July 1, 2020

Gr 8 Up-International K-pop superstar Jung debuts with a novel about Rachel, a K-pop star-in-training who moved from New York to Korea as a child to pursue her dream. Now, six years later, Rachel is on the cusp of superstardom or losing her dream forever as she navigates the opportunity of a lifetime to sing with K-pop sensation Jason Lee while maintaining the squeaky clean image required by her label. While the book suggests, and at times directly addresses, feminist themes, the ending falls significantly short of these ideals. Secondary characters, particularly Rachel's love interest, lack sufficient personality and operate primarily as plot devices, which may disappoint some. The novel occasionally touches on deep topics such as individual identity, beauty standards, and wealth privilege, but none are given a complete treatment so as to make a direct and unmistakable point. VERDICT Fans of Maurene Goo's Somewhere Only We Know will enjoy a return to K-pop subject matter and appreciate Jung's insider perspective on the music industry, while also enjoying a candid narrative style reminiscent of Meg Cabot with a touch of Mean Girls. A worthwhile addition.-Abby Hargreaves, DC P.L.

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2020
Korean American teen Rachel Kim has spent six years in Seoul as a K-pop trainee for one of the city's biggest entertainment agencies. Many will hone their talents, spending 24/7 invested in K-pop, but only a handful will make it. It's been years since DB Entertainment has debuted a girl group, and as a senior trainee, this is Rachel's last shot. When she felt the sting of racism as a young girl in the U.S., she turned for solace to K-pop. And despite the viciousness of trainee life--with its uber-talented teens, nonstop gossip, and the reality that she is seen as an American outsider in Korea--Rachel is determined to make it and hold onto the joy music brings. After a disastrous audition with Jason Lee, DB's golden boy, Rachel will need some bold moves to redeem herself. Further conflict arises as the double standards female stars face in contrast to their male counterparts become hard to ignore. Debut author Jung's background as a former Korean American K-pop star informs this world of catty, sabotaging antagonists; elite private school classmates; and parental pressure. An embarrassing, banter-filled meet-cute adds to this fast-paced, entertaining romp. Local details and the integration of Korean--both romanized and in Hangul--smoothly immerse readers in Rachel's world. While most of the supporting characters are Korean, Jason is biracial (Korean/White Canadian), and Rachel's best friend and fellow trainee, Akari, is Japanese. Shimmering. (Fiction. 14-18)

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