Rating K-Pop idol book recommendations
Idols have helped to make reading cool again!
RM of BTS is an avid reader. Image: Kim Namjoon. BigHit Entertainment.
Celebrity book clubs have been all the rage in the past few years from Oprah to Reese Witherspoon all creating their own cults around a shared love of literature. And what better book club to be a part of than a K-Pop one? Whether they’ve been spotted carrying their latest read at an airport or have personally recommended books to fans through interviews, idols have helped to make reading cool again! But are their recommendations actually good?
RM of BTS
Kim Namjoon/RM of BTS. Image: Dispatch.
There’s no better place to start than with the King of reading himself, RM. This notorious book nerd is not shy of giving out recommendations for your TBR list.
RM has previously said that he enjoys re-reading ‘1984’ by George Orwell and while this book may be seen as slightly overrated by many avid readers, it’s the perfect text as an introduction to the classics. The dystopian novel centres around an authoritarian state based on Stanlinist Russia and Nazi Germany and looks at the effects of totalitarianism and mass surveillance. Alongside this cautionary tale, RM has also recommended ‘The Stranger’ by Albert Camus, a philosophical novel about a man that lacks emotional empathy.
These two books clearly show that RM is a fan of literature that incites debates. RM desperately needs to start his own book club so that fans can get a deeper insight into his thoughts about these intellectual texts.
Wonwoo of SEVENTEEN
Wonwoo for Tenasia Magazine. Image: Tenasia Magazine.
Similarly to RM, Wonwoo has frequently shared his latest read with fans. Whilst I haven’t read many of the books or plays that he has recommended, someone that suggests you read Shakespeare deserves recognition.
Wonwoo has read not one, not two, but nine Shakespeare plays (at the time this article was published). Though the literary works of Shakespeare polarise audiences like marmite, it’s safe to assume that anyone who subjects themselves to reading more than a couple of the great wordsmiths works is of a high intellectual ability.
Wonwoo seems to enjoy lots of historical and mystery novels such as works by Arthur Conan Doyle. He clearly goes for books that often have academic merit but doesn’t like to brag about this. For Wonwoo, the books do the talking.
Jisoo of BLACKPINK
BLACKPINK Jisoo. Image: Off the Page__💕
One of the books recommended by Jisoo is ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Whilst for many, reading this book is a huge red flag to me, it shows that Jisoo has impeccable taste.
‘The Great Gatsby’ is an incredible classic full of symbolism and critical commentary about the roaring 20s. Jisoo clearly knows what popular books are worth your while and which ones aren’t. She’s also mentioned reading books by Marcel Proust. Anyone that can finish a piece by Proust needs to be praised! Jisoo seems to be extremely well read and enjoys a variety of genres. The jury is out and says that you can definitely trust her future recommendations.
Tiffany of Girls’ Generation
Tiffany. Image: Marie Claire.
In an Instagram story revealing some of her favourite books, Tiffany mentions liking ‘If I Had Your Face’ by Frances Cha. This is unsurprising as this book gives readers a detailed insight into what life is like for young women in South Korea. The book's main focus is on beauty standards, an issue that Tiffany has had to face head on during her time in a popular girl group. Its honest portrayal of the plastic surgery industry and the problems that can come with idolising pop stars must hit close to home for Tiffany.
Her other recommendations include ‘Dear Girls’ by Ali Wong and ‘Pachinko’ by Min Jin Lee. Tiffany clearly likes to read from her roots by sticking to books by Asian American authors, as she is most likely able to relate to these kinds of texts. Her taste is very varied and includes both fiction and non-fiction highlighting how well read she is.
Irene of Red Velvet
Irene. Image: SM Entertainment.
Irene has been seen reading ‘Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982’ by Cho Namjoo, a brilliant feminist novel about issues faced by the everyday Korean woman (previously reviewed by Cherry Chu Magazine). Whilst many idols are not able to speak out on political and social issues, Irene has definitely made a statement by carrying this book. Mixing both fact and fiction, Cho Namjoo has been able to perfectly and succinctly detail the misogyny that continues in South Korea today. Hopefully Irene provides us with more recommendations in the future because anyone that reads this book must have a flawless bookshelf.
JayB of Got7
JayB. Image: Warner Music Korea.
Anyone that reads Haruki Murakami books and doesn’t only recommend ‘Norwegian Wood’ goes straight into the best taste in books category. Having read ‘Kafka On The Shore’ and ‘1Q84’, JayB shows off that he is a true Murakami fan. Both books are fairly lengthy and need a lot of dedication to finish but are totally worth the work put into them.
He’s also a Fitzgerald fan having read both ‘The Great Gatsby’ and ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’, which only adds to his status as a seasoned bookworm. JayB isn’t necessarily showing off with his bookshelf but he is definitely secure in the fact that he knows what makes a good book.
Depending on the type of books that interest you, there’s definitely an idol that will share similar tastes. We’d love it if K-Pop idols started their own book clubs in the future, so fans have a greater insight into what idols are reading, but for now we’ll have to get our recommendations from grainy airport photos.
Edited by Chelsea Cheetham.
