K-pop is taking the world by storm. With BTS’s song Dynamite debuting on the top of the Billboard Charts and Blackpink wowing audiences at Coachella in 2019, there is no slowing down K-pop. I’ve noticed recently that many book lovers such as booktubers and bloggers have started to fall in love with K-pop as well which made me think “what If I meshed my two loves together?”
Here are a few books I recommend that remind me of my favorite K-pop groups and soloists!
BTS
If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ve probably figured out by now that BTS is my favorite K-pop group. Their music is youthful and energetic while also spreading important messages on self-love, friendship, mental health, and the importance of uplifting those around you.
This might be cheating, but BTS actually has their own book series called The Notes based on the storyline they created for their music videos several years ago. The story follows the oldest member Jin as he travels back in time to fix the past and save his friends (ie: the rest of the members) from their tragic fates. The coolest part about the story is that it’s not finished yet, and it probably won’t be until BTS decides to disband, so it’s fun to watch their latest content and discover more clues about the story. If you don’t want to buy the book series, part of the story is on Webtoons for free.
Blackpink
I have always liked Blackpink but I got more into their music and concepts during quarantine. Their songs focus on women empowerment and all-around badassery. The name Blackpink is meant to encompass the different sides of women. There’s a sweet, caring side but there is also our strong, confident side and that’s reflected in their discography which has a mix of bubble-gum pop songs and more mature girl power anthems. Basically, you can be opinionated and “unlikeable” at times while still maintaining those stereotypically feminine qualities. That’s why I chose the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter, I think all the girls in that series scream duality. One minute they’re agonizing over which tank top compliments their figure the best, the next they’re trying to figure out how to best incapacitate a man without staining the carpet. That’s what I call duality.
TXT
TXT or Tomorrow x Together is a five-member group that is barely two years old. However, they’ve already made a huge splash in the K-pop world with their unique concepts and amazing talent.
One of my favorite concepts from them was their magical concept. In their music video Runaway, the boys attend a magic school, explore the school after hours, and accidentally cause a terrible event when they misuse their powers.
Since the Korean title for Runaway literally translates to “Waiting for you at the platform of 9 ¾” I had to give TXT Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone as their book. The book and the music video both have a very adventurous and exciting energy as well as a little mystery. I don’t have to sell Harry Potter to you right? We all know Harry Potter is legendary.
SuperM
Since SuperM debuted last year, they’ve been marketing themselves as the Avengers of K-pop. This is because seven members of SuperM are actually from different boy groups but came together to form a supergroup. And boy are they exceptional. The group brings together some of the most incredible vocalists, rappers, and dancers in all of K-pop.
They even recently announced a secret project they’re putting together with Marvel. Since SuperM’s concept is mainly a superhero concept, their music videos have epic themes and the members are often showing off their superhuman abilities like teleportation, flight, and strength.
For SuperM I felt like they would be Renegades by Marissa Meyer if they were a book since it features superheroes and villains. I can’t speak a lot about Renegades because I haven’t read it yet (Sorry!). It’s been on my list for forever, and I’m currently reading through Marissa Meyer’s other series but I know it’s amazing and I will read it soon!
Chungha
The book that relates the most to Chungha would be Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo. I feel like Chungha might have faced a lot of the same obstacles that Lucky faced in Somewhere Only We Know. Both girls grew up in the states, then came to Korea to pursue music.
Like Chungha, Lucky is a solo K-pop star and bilingual. Lucky was often homesick and lonely being the only American trainee in her company, but quickly became one of the top female soloists in Korea and was able to go on a major international tour just like Chungha.
I only recently started listening to Chungha, but I already love her. Her voice is gorgeous, and she is probably the best female K-pop dancer I have EVER seen. She also seems like a genuine and sweet person.
Ateez
Falling for Ateez was very similar to how I fell into the BTS vortex. I just watched a couple of music videos and dance practices then, the next thing I knew, I was online searching for their tour dates. Their music video, Inception, focuses on a dream concept. The video features the boys trapped in these nightmares and needing to overcome their fears and wake up before they’re trapped.
I would pair Ateez with Dreamology by Lucy Keating. Dreamology is a story about a girl who finds out the boy she often dreams about is actually a real person and that he dreams about her too. And just admit it, Ateez is pretty dreamy.
AleXa
Candace from K-Pop Confidential gives me major AleXa vibes. They are both short for K-pop idol standards (AleXa is 4’11) and hail from the United States. They also both speak their minds, sing exceptionally well, and could be classified as unconventional K-pop idols. AleXa and Candace’s mindset and behaviors don’t really fit into the typical prim and proper K-Pop idol image, but we love them more for it! AleXa also hosts a podcast with Jae from Day 6 who she has fun banter with which reminds me a lot of Candace’s relationship with YoungBae in K-Pop Confidential.