Elena Soo has always felt overshadowed. Whether by her more successful older sisters, her more popular twin brother, or her more outgoing best friend, everyone except Elena seems to know exactly who they are and what they want. But she is certain about one thing - she has no interest in going to prom. While the rest of the school is giddy over corsages and dresses, Elena would rather spend her time working to save the local community center, the one place that's always made her feel like she belonged.
So when international K-pop superstar Robbie Choi shows up at her house to ask her to prom, Elena is more confused than ever. Because the one person who always accepted Elena as she is? Her childhood best friend, Robbie Choi. And the one thing she maybe, possibly, secretly wants more than anything? For the two of them to keep the promise they made each other as kids: to go to prom together. But that was seven years ago, and with this new K-pop persona, pink hair, and stylish clothes, Robbie is nothing like the sweet, goofy boy she remembers. The boy she shared all her secrets with. The boy she used to love.
Besides, prom with a guy who comes with hordes of screaming fans, online haters, and relentless paparazzi is the last thing Elena wants - even if she can't stop thinking about Robbie's smile...right?
I know that K-Pop is becoming very popular, and I know that it's basically an industry in Korea. That's the extent of my knowledge. There are a lot of terms used here that I didn't understand; I mostly got the context, but it was difficult to follow. A glossary would have been really handy.
Otherwise, it was a fine read. The plot was perfectly predictable - I could have described it beat for beat by about chapter three - but you don't read romance books for surprising plot twists, you read them for comfort, and this one worked really well for that. Soonyeon is my favourite side character, but there are others as well - and I adored the parts where Elena realises that the way she's experienced things, like how people act around her. doesn't mean those things are real. Watching her realise she might have misunderstood or taken something up wrong was a great reminder that we all do that sometimes, and it's not something I see addressed often in novels.
Overall, I enjoyed this read - a little less than I would have if I'd known what all the words are, but that's not going to be an issue for everyone. It's nice, it's light, there's some good moments in it, and I definitely recommend it.
Once Upon a K-Prom publishes on the 17th May, 2022. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
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