SHINE

One of my most awaited books in 2020 goes to SHINE by Jessica Jung, the former Girls' Generation member. It was super exciting after long pre-order waiting and 1,5 months of shipping process that finally I could read the book. So is it worth all the wait? Here's my final answer...

The 352 pages book tells a story about Rachel Kim, a trainee in DB entertainment, who begins questioning her dream to become a K-pop star after 6 years of training without any signs of debuting. She is supposed to debut along with another 8 members of Girls Forever girlband. Instead of stepping into a daylight, she faces betrayal, temptations and obstacles. One of them leads her into a secret romantic feeling with Jason Lee, a famous K-pop idol from the same agency. It isn't an easy journey for her Korean American identity where she used to live in New York but her family moved to Korea to support her dream. In her fight to reserve her own positions in pairs of eyes the execs, she won't budge to step down although many times she almost lose herself in the cruel and competitive K-pop world. She fights everything leading her way to shine.

As a K-pop fan myself, like others, I was hoping to find any secret message that carries Jessica's true story about her leaving the group. If you also wish that so, I must tell you, do not get high hopes. It's completely a young adult fiction story about K-pop world and its secret. It might has any relation with Jessica story but I do not think it comes out in the first book yet. It emphasizes more about the double standard applied for women in K-pop industry and how the culture hasn't figured it out to wipe that out which is actually so vocal (Good job, Jess!). Unfortunately, it hasn't brought out a comprehensive insight about the dark and realest version of the industry. Additionally, the romance between Rachel and Jason is also predictable with common teen flirtatious lines. And regarding the cover, I have to say that I prefer the inside hardcover of the book which is so simple yet glamorous.

However, I'd give a massive applause for Jessica Jung who is so creative and so brave to debut as an author. She inspires a lot of people and her fans for her resilient work and limitless productivity. 

For you who like to read young adult fiction, this might be your choice!