Jessica Jung brings the world of K-pop to the written word in YA novel 'Shine'

'I want the book to be a positive influence for the readers. I want them to know that it's okay to do things for yourself. You can go fight for your dreams,' says Jung. Photo: Handout

As a member of South Korean group Girls' Generation, Jessica Jung made a name for herself in the highest echelons of pop royalty. Having since gone solo (she left the group in 2014) and launched a fashion line, with plans to open a flagship store in Seoul, Jung is now taking readers on a journey to stardom in her debut YA novel, Shine.

Released recently from Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, the novel tells the story of Rachel Kim, a Korean-American trainee at an entertainment company in Seoul working hard to get the chance to debut as a K-pop star.