Overview

""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?

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9781338639933

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Reviews

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

Lee's Cinderella story, set to a pulsing soundtrack of Blackpink and Red Velvet, is the delectable K-pop confessional we've all been waiting for... frothy bubble tea of a book. --The New York Times Book Review [Lee] gets at the heart of why trainee programs operate the way they do and wraps it all in a coming-of-age story that's as much about finding your voice as it is about finding your heritage. --Fast Company Riveting tale of friendship, love, and passion. --Teen Vogue 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 A hit on like, every level. There is all of the glamour and intrigue of our very relatable, big-hearted, gutsy heroine entering the world of K-pop and finding her voice, but it's also so brilliantly grounded in family, friendship, and just the perfect amount of romance. -- Emma Lord, author of Tweet Cute Debut author Lee captures the fun of K-pop music while exploring a factory where young women are scrutinized...but it's Candace's sense of self-worth that will get readers to cheer. -- Publishers Weekly A thoughtful portrayal of determined multinational teens balancing authenticity with pursuing their dreams -- Kirkus Reviews Addictive, glamorous ... K-Pop Confidential is an unputdownable must-read for everyone, whether they're a fan of K-Pop or not. A mesmerising debut that leaves you wanting more! -- The Nerd Daily

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 A hit on like, every level. There is all of the glamour and intrigue of our very relatable, big-hearted, gutsy heroine entering the world of K-pop and finding her voice, but it's also so brilliantly grounded in family, friendship, and just the perfect amount of romance. -- Emma Lord, author of Tweet Cute Debut author Lee captures the fun of K-pop music while exploring a factory where young women are scrutinized...but it's Candace's sense of self-worth that will get readers to cheer. -- Publishers Weekly A thoughtful portrayal of determined multinational teens balancing authenticity with pursuing their dreams -- Kirkus Reviews

""Lee's Cinderella story, set to a pulsing soundtrack of Blackpink and Red Velvet, is the delectable K-pop confessional we've all been waiting for... frothy bubble tea of a book."" -- The New York Times Book Review ""[Lee] gets at the heart of why trainee programs operate the way they do and wraps it all in a coming-of-age story that's as much about finding your voice as it is about finding your heritage."" -- Fast Company ""Riveting tale of friendship, love, and passion."" -- Teen Vogue ""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 ""A hit on like, every level. There is all of the glamour and intrigue of our very relatable, big-hearted, gutsy heroine entering the world of K-pop and finding her voice, but it's also so brilliantly grounded in family, friendship, and just the perfect amount of romance."" -- Emma Lord, author of Tweet Cute ""Debut author Lee captures the fun of K-pop music while exploring a factory whereyoung women are scrutinized...but it's Candace's sense of self-worth that will get readers to cheer."" -- Publishers Weekly ""A thoughtful portrayal of determined multinational teens balancing authenticity with pursuing their dreams"" -- Kirkus Reviews ""Addictive, glamorous ... K-Pop Confidential is an unputdownable must-read for everyone, whether they're a fan of K-Pop or not. A mesmerising debut that leaves you wanting more!"" -- The Nerd Daily

Author Information

Stephan Lee is the author of the K-Pop Confidential books as well as the upcoming Library Is Open with drag artist Kim Chi and the YA romance When In Paris. He currently works in content at Netflix and was a former entertainment journalist for Entertainment Weekly and Bustle. He has been working on his adult literary debut, tentatively titled Must Be Nice, for his entire adult life, and is hoping to be finished in the first half of 2024.

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