By Brianna K., Meade Senior High School
XOXO by Axie Oh is a young adult romance novel set mainly in South Korea. Oh brings together Jenny, an American-Asian girl who is dedicated to playing the cello, yet is set back when she realizes her talent may not be all that and Jaewoo, an undercover K-Pop star she meets at a Karaoke bar in Los Angeles. Despite the poor first impressions, they bond in a night full of mystery and excitement. However, this dream must end as they both have to go back to their tiring and demanding lives. Regardless, their journeys collide again when Jenny moves to South Korea and her world is transformed by K-Pop culture and a romance secretly blossoms.
This novel was a happy read and I enjoyed learning about the lives of rising K-Pop idols. The relationship between Jenny and her family was an integral part of the story and authority was a main opponent in this story. The collision of family values, responsibility, and personal desires created a realistic and relatable dynamic. I did feel as if the conclusion to Jenny’s relationship with her mother left me a little unsatisfied and the relationship between Jenny and Jaewoo was left to imagination. There is little background provided for Jaewoo which left me caring less for his journey as a character.
Nevertheless, this book is perfect for K-Pop lovers and individuals who struggle with finding a balance between responsibility and personal wants. Readers who also enjoy secret relationships will find themselves enjoying this novel.
Click here to checkout XOXO by Axie Oh.