My book is about young people gathering the courage to defy the people who hold the keys to their dreams and re-defining self-worth for themselves.”įictional worlds always felt brighter and more fun The standards of success are usually defined by older generations, they’re the ones who get to decide who’s good enough. Young people around the world have so many impossible expectations put on them, whether it’s pressure to get into university or competing to be ‘the best’. “Of course, in the book there’s a lot about the glamour, hard work, and fun of K-pop, but I wanted to tell a universal story as well. “I think there are universal themes that anyone can enjoy,” he explains. Stephan didn’t write K-Pop Confidential exclusively for K-Pop fans. After a lot of experimentation, I found the rhythm of the book and the characters’ voices, and after that, it was so much fun to write!” So I just wrote random scenes that I had pictured in my head the moment I decided to write this book, which was in the summer of 2019. Early on, I didn’t know what the book is supposed to look, feel, or sound like. “I actually didn’t map out the plot that much before I started. “I particularly loved spending time with my characters! But the beginning of the writing process is always hard,” Stephan admits. While main character Candace Park faced lots of struggles in the book, the Korean American author had a lot of fun writing the story.

‘K-Pop Confidential’ is the name of Stephan Lee’s debut novel and it’s a treat! Set in the glamourous, yet highly competitive world of the South Korean K-pop industry, the book is not only entertaining, but also sheds light on how tough the life of a young popstar trainee can be. Stephan Lee – K-Pop Confidential (c) The Nerd Daily

Stephan lee kpop confidential