K-Pop Revolution - by Stephan Lee (Paperback)

About the Book

"In the sequel to K-Pop Confidential, Candace is a Rookie idol. Her life is suddenly filled with the fans, cameras, and glamor of stardom: She and her boyfriend, YoungBae, are a K-Pop power couple; she's a walking icon at Brandt Foreign School; and her new girl group, known simply as THE GIRLS, is poised to break records across the industry. With her status as the industry's K-Pop Warrior, she has all the clout at her disposal to make waves. Right? Her label, S.A.Y., promises to help make the sweeping changes for the industry to become a more humane and compassionate place for artists. But what will happen when the road to a record-breaking debut isn't as smooth as they'd planned? When a rival girl group emerges to steal the spotlight, carrying the message of change better than Candace ever could, she'll have to decide what it'll cost her and her bandmates to stand up for their beliefs. And as the world turns against her, with online bullies scrutinizing her every word, there's only so much that one person can take."--

Book Synopsis

She thought that debuting in a K-Pop band was the finish line, but it was only the beginning. Because now it's not only Candace's company judging her--it's the entire world. How will she find the courage to stand by her beliefs, even when powerful forces are trying to shame and silence her...

In the sequel to K-Pop Confidential, Candace is a Rookie idol. Her life is suddenly filled with the fans, cameras, and glamor of stardom: She and her boyfriend, YoungBae, are a K-Pop power couple; she's a walking icon at Brandt Foreign School; and her new girl group, known simply as THE GIRLS, is poised to break records across the industry. With her status as the industry's K-Pop Warrior, she has all the clout at her disposal to make waves. Right?

Her label, S.A.Y., promises to help make the sweeping changes for the industry to become a more humane and compassionate place for artists. But what will happen when the road to a record-breaking debut isn't as smooth as they'd planned? When a rival girl group emerges to steal the spotlight, carrying the message of change better than Candace ever could, she'll have to decide what it'll cost her and her bandmates to stand up for their beliefs. And as the world turns against her, with online bullies scrutinizing her every word, there's only so much that one person can take.

From the top of the world to the brink of disaster, Candace is going to have to figure out why the world is out to get her. And she's not going to be able to do it alone.

How far does one girl need to be pushed to start a K-Pop Revolution?

Review Quotes

Praise for K-Pop Revolution:

"K-Pop Revolution takes everything that makes K-Pop Confidential so special and dials it up to eleven. It's impossible not to read this without feeling like you're right in Candace's world and rooting for everyone in it. Glittering, electric, and groundbreaking." -- Emma Lord, author of Tweet Cute

"Candace Park's journey to stardom continues with this swoony, thrilling adventure! A rollicking good time with a big heart and even bigger surprises." -- Jessica Goodman, bestselling author of They'll Never Catch Us and They Wish They Were Us

"K-Pop Revolution is an empowering, engrossing and addictive read. Candace's comeback story made me want to give this book a standing ovation when I finished. I will read anything Stephan Lee writes!" -- Suzanne Park, author of Sunny Song Will Never Be Famous and So We Meet Again

"Stephan Lee should be everybody's ultimate YA bias with his ability to not only match the addictive quality of his first book, but take it to a whole new exhilarating level! In K-Pop Revolution, we feel the pressure Candace is under as the world waits for her to take the stage, we buzz with adrenaline as she creates the best new music and kills it in performances, and we want to take on the industry with her as she encounters obstacles and villains we never saw coming. This is literally--and I'm using that word correctly--the most satisfying sequel I have ever read!" - Jason June, author of Jay's Gay Agenda and Out of the Blue

"K-Pop Revolution delivers on the promise made in K-Pop Confidential for glamour, drama, music, and scandal. Stakes get dialed up a notch as Candace makes her girl group debut, juggling music shows and reality TV with high school life and a public relationship with a new boyfriend. I was hooked from the beginning all the way to the show-stopping, fist-pumping finale. A truly remarkable comeback!" -- Axie Oh, author of XOXO and the Rebel Seoul series

Praise for K-Pop Confidential:

"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

About the Author

Stephan Lee is the author of the K-Pop Confidential books as well as The Library Is Open with drag artist Kim Chi. He currently works in content at Netflix and was a former entertainment journalist for Entertainment Weekly and Bustle. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.