I'll Be the One

Skye Shin enters a K-pop competition show despite the intense pressure in Korean culture against plus-size performers. As a talented dancer and singer, she aims to become the first plus-size K-pop star, even as her mother disapproves of her dreams. The competition brings both challenges and connections as Skye navigates the demanding world of K-pop training and performance. Her friendship with model-turned-competitor Henry Cho adds complexity to her journey through the cutthroat entertainment industry. Through Skye's experiences in the spotlight, the story examines self-acceptance, body positivity, and the weight of cultural expectations. The narrative challenges beauty standards within the K-pop industry while celebrating passion, determination, and authenticity.

Readers highlight the book's positive representation of a confident plus-size Korean-American protagonist who refuses to let others define her worth. Many reviews note the authentic K-pop industry details and appreciate the friendship dynamics between characters. Likes: - Body positivity message without making weight the main focus - LGBTQ+ representation feels natural and integrated - Strong parental relationship development - Fun dance competition scenes Dislikes: - Romance develops too quickly - Some found the plot predictable - Several readers wanted more depth in the competition storyline - A few noted the dialogue can feel unrealistic Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (12,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (500+ ratings) BookPage: 5/5 Reader quote: "Finally a YA book where the fat girl gets to be talented, popular and loved without having to change herself." - Goodreads reviewer Barnes & Noble readers noted the book offers comfort and representation while maintaining an engaging story structure.

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🌟 Author Lyla Lee drew from her own experiences growing up in South Korea and Texas, particularly regarding K-pop culture and body image expectations 🎭 The book challenges traditional Korean beauty standards and the "fat-phobic" nature of the K-pop industry while celebrating body positivity 🎶 The competitive reality show featured in the story is loosely based on actual K-pop competition shows like "K-pop Star" and "Produce 101" 🌈 The protagonist, Skye Shin, represents multiple marginalized identities - she's bisexual, plus-size, and Korean American - making this one of the first YA novels to feature a queer, plus-size K-pop aspirant 🎬 The novel's film rights were acquired by HBO Max in 2020, with plans to develop it into a feature-length movie