Idol Gossip [Paperback]

“K-pop and YA fans alike will find much to enjoy in this deep dive into fan culture and the music industry. . . . A fun glimpse into what happens when your dreams of fame come true.” —School Library Journal

One Friday after school, seventeen-year-old Alice Choy and her little sister, Olivia, head to Myeongdong to sing karaoke. Back in San Francisco, when she still had friends, Alice took regular singing lessons. But since their diplomat mom moved them to Seoul, her only musical outlet is goofing around in a private karaoke booth to an audience of one: her loyal sister. Then a scout for Top10 Entertainment, one of the biggest K-pop companies, hears her and offers her a spot at their Star Academy. Can Alice navigate the culture clashes, egos, and extreme training practices of K-pop to lead her group onstage before a stadium of sixty thousand chanting fans—and just maybe strike K-pop gold? Not if a certain influential blogger and the anti-fans get their way. . . . A story about standing out and fitting in, dreaming big and staying true to yourself, Idol Gossip will speak to fans of K-pop and to anyone who is trying to take their talents to the next level.This is a fast-paced, captivating inside look at what lies behind the glitz of the K-pop industry. Alice’s road to fame highlights cultural differences, self-discovery, sisterhood, and empathy. The narrative is laced with blog posts that help move the story forward and give background information. . . . An entertaining read unveiling the people behind K-pop glam.
—Kirkus Reviews

Young aptly conveys Alice’s difficulties as the group’s youngest member, navigating life away from her family and deciphering the implicit rules of the K-pop world. . . . readers interested in the inner workings of idol groups will enjoy this entertaining insidelÃ