  | Flip the script Author: Lee, Lyla | |
| Price: $22.58 | ||
Summary:
As an avid watcher of K-dramas, Hana knows all the tropes to avoid when she finally lands a starring role in a buzzy new drama. And she can totally handle her fake co-star boyfriend, heartthrob Bryan Yoon, who might be falling in love with her. After all, she promised the TV producers a contract romance, and that's all they're going to get from her. But when showrunners bring on a new lead actress to challenge Hana's role as main love interest, can Hana fight for her position on the show?
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (03/15/22)
School Library Journal (00/09/22)
Booklist (08/15/22)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 05/15/2022 A Korean American raised in Florida, Hana moved to Seoul with her family so she could pursue her acting dreams. So Hana’s feeling the pressure to provide for them when she lands a starring role on new K-drama Fated Destiny opposite K-pop star Bryan Yoon. As an American, Hana has a lot to prove. When the show’s initial ratings aren’t what the producers hoped for, they suggest Hana and Bryan begin a fake relationship. But Hana remains solely focused on the show, which doesn’t pick up steam until the producers suddenly hire a second female lead—Minjee, Hana’s biggest rival from drama school. She’s also the girl that Hana has never been able to stop thinking about, but same-sex relationships are largely taboo in South Korean culture. It’s these prejudices that Lee (I’ll Be the One, 2020) challenges in a narrative that’s thoughtful, romantic, and bubblegum sweet. Bisexual Hana is steadfast in her convictions even when the road is tough, and readers will root for her happy endings on and off the screen. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 09/16/2022 Gr 7 Up—Korean American Hana wants nothing more than to be a successful actress, especially since her parents moved with her from the U.S. to Seoul a few years ago to help her achieve this goal. So when she lands the lead in a highly anticipated new K-drama, she's thrilled. Unfortunately, initial ratings for the show are lower than expected, so the producers come up with a solution—a fake relationship between Hana and the show's male lead, K-pop star Bryan Yoon, to drum up more interest. Hana reluctantly agrees, but things quickly go awry—their dates are swarmed by enthusiastic fans, and Bryan seems like he might be developing some not-so-fake feelings for her. The producers introduce a new character into the show, and it turns out to be someone Hana knows quite well. Now she has to figure out maintaining her fake feelings for Bryan while developing some very real feelings for her new co-star, who happens to be a girl. This book is a love letter to Korean culture, K-dramas in particular; readers will enjoy the behind-the-scenes look at K-drama production, visits to famous spots around Seoul, and mouth-watering descriptions of Korean food. At the same time, the story challenges the heteronormativity and unrealistic expectations placed on young celebrities in Korea. All the characters are Korean or Korean American, and Hana, Bryan, and their co-star, Minjee, are all queer. VERDICT This trope-filled rom-com is perfect for fans of Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo, XOXO by Axie Oh, and I Guess I Live Here Now by Claire Ahn.—Alison Glass - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
