<This is both
a standalone and spin-off novel.>
The world’s biggest K-pop group, WDB, is dealing with
dating scandals, and Moon Minseok – otherwise known as Moonster to his fanbase –
has to step up and take charge of the group’s image, even though he’s not the
leader. Shin Hyeri is a veteran to scandals. Once part of the now-disbanded
K-pop girl group Helloglow, she was pitted early on against fellow member Kim
Ana. Netizens have labeled her a bully and a nepo baby, claiming her inclusion
in the group was only due to her idol brother, Hyejun, of the K-pop group AX1S.
When a scandal arises involving Minseok and Hyeri as co-hosts at a K-pop
midsummer festival, it’s decided that going on Korea’s popular variety
show, Our Celebrity Marriage, is the key to saving both of their
reputations. On this show, celebrities get fake married and participate in
newlywed challenges. The plan is simple enough: pretend to get along, create
swoony moments for the fans, win back those fans and move on with their lives,
Minseok actively back with WDB and Hyeri gaining momentum as an up-and-coming
K-drama actress. Will their fake marriage lead to true love? Or will the weight
of scandal lead them to shame-faced ruin?
A
K-popping K-drama this contemporary romance YA definitely is. I didn’t feel the
swoony tone or romcom vibes that are likely the author’s aim, but my opinion
shouldn’t stop any readers of any K-pop or K-drama fandoms from enjoying this
story. It’s overall written well, the author highlighting the less glittery and
glamorous side of the K-pop world. She takes on sasaengs (obsessive
fans) and anti-fans, gender double standards and the overwhelming pressure on
idols to be perfect. The chemistry between Hyeri and Minseok is obvious,
and there is some kissing, but Hyeri’s anxiety is so next-level that the
“romance” feels weak. The main characters are both charming, their journey
rocky but not without hope. When it comes to Hyeri, I simultaneously want to
shield her from brutal anti-fans, shake her for always cowering in front of her
selfish, overbearing mother, and talk until I’m blue in the face if it’d help
her see her self-worth. It’s fiction, but it’s not only literary clickbait for
real-life idols, and that’s alarming. No one should have to put up with that “just
because” they’re famous.
Also by
Kat Cho: Once Upon a K-Prom
No comments:
Post a Comment
You have a book or post-related comment on your mind? Wonderful! Your comments are welcome, but whether you are a regular or guest Rutabaga, I expect you to keep your comments clean and respectable. :-)