Shine by Jessica Jung
Synopsis
My Review
Let me preface my review by saying
the classic line: I went through reading this with a low expectation but I’d
never know that I’ve come to love it. Yes. Jessica Jung is a capable writer and
this book proves it.
Shine is a contemporary story that
hovers around main topics of sacrificing, family, overcoming hardships, maintaining
your place, reaching out for your dreams and also fleshing out the dark side of
K-pop industry and the nauseating standard of beauty. Thus, I’ll let you know
beforehand that this book contains body-shaming, strictly-unhealthy-diet, more
weighing and counting calories, harsh disciplines in training (involves beating),
misogyny among female trainees and sexisms depicted in the K-pop industry
whereby male idols are treated slightly better than female idols.
Written from the first point of view, the story centres on a 17-year-old Korean American Rachel Kim who’s been struggling to chase after her dream; to become a K-Pop star. However, her future seems bleak with obstacles that keep stumbling in her way for she has been spending six years of her life youth to be a trainee under one of the largest K-Pop labels, DB entertainment. Yet no trajectory propels that she’ll be able to debut before the deadline.
Being a third culture kid and the privilege
of being favoured by the CEO himself does not make it any better for her as she’s
often being alienated and bullied by other trainees especially Mina, the daughter
of Chaebol family. But Rachel’s characteristic doesn’t fall into a-damsel-in-distress
trope as she perseveres in chasing her dream. Then comes along the famous DB
K-pop star, Jason Lee, who’s about to put her dream in jeopardy by violating
the most adamant rule in this industry; the-don’t-date-policy.
Character-wise, Mina is my most
favourite character besides Rachel, you’ll know when you’ve finally read it and
Jason is *censored words* Other characters are underdeveloped because I really didn’t
bother to care about them except Leah, Rachel’s sister. Their sister bonding
is really cute.
Jung’s writing is quite good, readable,
snappy sometimes as if she’s casually story-telling the story to us. It’s a slow-paced
story. Howbeit, it’s still a compelling one, drizzled with Korean references. People
of New York and Toronto might relate to this book as the author quite uses a
lot of references based on the aforesaid cities. Lastly, the ending is satisfying
but still is left in vague. This book will be having a sequel which is titled Bright
(Shine #2).
Being a fan of Jessica Jung and
Krystal Jung since middle school, I kept fangirling every time I stumbled upon the
hints and the characteristics of the fictional characters that seem to be corresponding
to The Jung Sisters’ background. Thus, I highly recommend this book to those
who favour these adorable sisters and also to those who want a sneak peek into
the K-pop world.
About the Author
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