Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

K-pop Confidential by Stephan Lee

17 reviews

catorureads's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Bullying

pointeshoebookworm's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.5

While this was a very light read, I did struggle with this book a bit. It just seemed too ... unrealistic. And yes, I adore unrealistic stories. Books are places where fairytale dreams and reality can collide with no need for logical explanation ... But this was just a bit too far fetched.

I'm also highly intrigued how this segues into the second book. Given the current ending ... it seems even more implausible. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, Cultural appropriation, and Fatphobia

Minor: Homophobia, Mental illness, Grief, Stalking, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

doodeedoda's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Sexism, Stalking, and Bullying

Minor: Death of parent and Eating disorder

smalljoys's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Body shaming, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Dysphoria, Misogyny, and Emotional abuse

inconsistent main character, boring love triangle, repetitive statements (we get that you the mc dated your gay bff for a week! move on!). unclear motive of the main character, did she want to be an idol? or not?

chloe_23's review against another edition

funny inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Not the best book I've ever read, yet it's an amazing read for a K-pop fan. This is my second time reading it, and my reactions were either the same energy or even more energy when something big happened. I think I'll forever love this book, or at least as long as I stan K-pop. I started reading the second book the moment I flipped the last page in this book. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Torture, Toxic friendship, and Body shaming

Minor: Death of parent, Death, Cursing, Mental illness, and Fatphobia

ellaticonstellation's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Oh my god! This might be the best K-pop book I have ever read (besides Jisoo Lee's). I could've read this in a day, but adulting, so yeah, two days. I love Candace Park, Binna, Jinjoo, Aram, and even Helena. I thought One.J was sus, Youngbae, you sweet thing. Eomma, you're the best!💕 *that speech* must be hard to do! Thanks, Stephan, for this beautiful book, and on to the next one. You better have the audiobook companion when you read this.✨

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Racism

sankta_aleena's review against another edition

challenging emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Sexism, Bullying, Child abuse, and Eating disorder

Minor: Misogyny, Suicide, Grief, and Death of parent

miss__manga__'s review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

2022 review: Not a bad read, and I really enjoyed the end. I just wish there had been a faster pace for the first half of the book.
Rating 3.75

2023 reread review: I really like the almost effortless worldbuilding, though I still wish we had seen more of the other trainees (JinJoo was just... existing...). The writing did feel a little inconsistent at times (especially when Candace was using slang like shooketh - I have no issues with slang or the words chosen, but they were very sporadic).

I would have also liked to have seen the theme of feminism being a bit more developed, same with friendly rivalries amongst the girls. I hope these are expanded on in the sequel, which I plan to read soon.  
In my reading journal, I've updated this to a 4 star rating, but since it's not that different to my original rating, I'm leaving it there.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming and Bullying

Minor: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Eating disorder, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness

pvbobrien's review against another edition

emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Bullying

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, and Eating disorder

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Mental illness, Self harm, Stalking, and Suicide

briely's review against another edition

inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming and Bullying