Jessica Jung, former lead singer of superstar group Girl’s Generation, is set to bring the hyper-colourful, hyper-competitive world of K-pop to life in her sparkling YA debut, in collaboration with Glasstown Entertainment. Inspired by Jessica’s personal experience of the industry, Shine will bring readers into the heart of the worldwide phenomenon. Farshore signed the two-book deal for exclusive UK/Commonwealth rights with Meredith Miller at United Talent Agency, in coordination with Stephen Barbara at InkWell Management, agent for Glasstown Entertainment.
What would you give for a chance to live your dreams? Recruited by one of Seoul’s largest K-pop labels, seventeen-year-old Rachel Kim will give almost anything. The rules are simple: Train 24/7. Be perfect. Don’t date. Easy, right? Excluded by the other trainees, Rachel’s plans to keep her heart closely guarded crumble after a chance encounter with K-pop golden boy Jason Lee. As the dark scandals of an industry bent on controlling and commodifying beautiful girls begin to bubble up, Rachel wonders if she’s strong enough to be a winner, or if she’ll end up crushed . . .
Lindsey Heaven, Fiction Publishing Director, said: ‘We are so thrilled at Farshore to be publishing this utterly compelling and addictive YA début from K-Pop royalty, Jessica Jung. Jessica’s unique background gives readers an irresistible and completely credible insight into the drama, high-stakes and glamour of the K-Pop industry. But most of all, this very talented debut author gives readers characters and a world to fall in love with. The publication of Shine will be a MASSIVE moment in K-Pop, making it the must-have YA book of 2020 for K-Pop fans and teens alike.’
Pitched as Crazy Rich Asians meets Gossip Girl, Shine is currently in development for the screen by Glasstown Entertainment and the team behind Netflix’s smash adaptation of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.
Jessica Jung is a Korean-American singer, actress, fashion designer, and international influencer. Born in San Francisco, Jessica grew up in South Korea where she trained as a K-pop singer, debuting as a member of the international sensation Girls Generation in 2007. After going solo in 2014, she launched the successful fashion line, Blanc & Eclare. Jessica has been featured on the covers of magazines worldwide, her brand now spanning platforms including film and television. She was included in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia list of influential people in 2017 and is one of the most-followed K-pop stars on Instagram. Shine is her debut novel.
Shine by Jessica Jung publishes 15 October 2020 in paperback
£7.99 for readers aged 12+
