K-pop Confidential
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4.2 • 22 Ratings
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- $5.99
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- $5.99
Publisher Description
"I'm still giddy over this electrifying, big-hearted, all-kill smash of a debut. I couldn't put it down." -- Becky Albertalli, bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
In this romantic coming-of-age novel about chasing big dreams, a Korean-American girl travels to Seoul in hopes of debuting in a girl group at the same K-pop company behind the most popular boy band on the planet. Perfect for fans of Mary H. K. Choi and Jenny Han.
Candace Park knows a lot about playing a role. For most of her life, she's been playing the role of the quiet Korean girl who takes all AP classes and plays a classical instrument, keeping her dreams of stardom-and her obsession with SLK, K-pop's top boyband-to herself. She doesn't see how a regular girl like her could possibly become one of those K-pop goddesses she sees on YouTube. Even though she can sing. Like, really sing.So when Candace secretly enters a global audition held by SLK's music label, the last thing she expects is to actually get a coveted spot in their trainee program. And convincing her strict parents to let her to go is all but impossible ... although it's nothing compared to what comes next.Under the strict supervision of her instructors at the label's headquarters in Seoul, Candace must perfect her performance skills to within an inch of her life, learn to speak Korean fluently, and navigate the complex hierarchies of her fellow trainees, all while following the strict rules of the industry. Rule number one? NO DATING, which becomes impossible to follow when she meets a dreamy boy trainee. And in the all-out battle to debut, Candace is in danger of planting herself in the middle of a scandal lighting up the K-pop fandom around the world.If she doesn't have what it takes to become a perfect, hair-flipping K-pop idol, what will that mean for her family, who have sacrificed everything to give her the chance? And is a spot in the most hyped K-pop girl group of all time really worth risking her friendships, her future, and everything she believes in?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Candace Park, 15, is a top student at New Jersey's Fort Lee Magnet, a secret K-pop fan, and a terrible viola player who desperately wants to sing, like her older brother Tommy. But their Korean-born parents, who met at a prestigious music school in Korea but now run a convenience store, "won't budge." Encouraged by best friends Imani and Ethan, Candace secretly auditions for a new girl group being created by the entertainment company behind an internationally popular K-pop boy band. Getting in is only the start of Candace's challenges, however: she must persuade her protective parents to let her visit Seoul for intensive training, live in a dormitory with 49 other competitive young women, and navigate culture shock, training, and the competition. Debut author Lee captures the fun of K-pop music while exploring a factory where young women are scrutinized and subject to extreme dietary and physical expectations. This wish-fulfillment story twines "Cinderella" moments with intersectional issues class, racism, sexism but it's Candace's sense of self-worth that will get readers to cheer. 12 up.
Customer Reviews
Cute!
This was really cute and entertaining read. While it reads a little like fanfic it is in the best way. I could totally see myself binging it as a kdrama series similar to Imitation or Miracle.
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{no spoilers!} Wow.. got me hooked. I thought I LOVED the last series I was reading, but guess what? Paused that amazing book to read this even MORE amazing book! The drama, the love, the hardship and “AHH”! Moments in this book has are unlimited. This is awesome and had my attention as soon as I laid eyes upon it and read the back of the book! This is an endearing, shocking, keep-you-on-edge novel with interesting facts sowed in. 💯RECCOMEND. *especially for drama, fiction or kpop fans..* ~ p.s. so glad Candace chose the right guy :)
P. P. S ..now I’m onto the sequel >:)
Great Debut, had me hooked!
WOW! (Spoiler free review) Great book, I was hooked right from the start. The pacing/timeline is done very well. Candace is such a like-able and relatable character, she grows so much throughout her journey and really becomes such a beautiful person. This book made me laugh, cry, scream in frustration/excitement and made me nervous at times (the good kind). Once I picked this up, I couldn’t put it back down. This book does a great job of discussing the culture of the K pop industry and gives a great message about inner beauty & self worth. 4.8/5 stars (-.2 because I need a sequel ASAP 😆)