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    I'll Be the One
    I'll Be the One
    I'll Be the One
    Audiobook8 hours

    I'll Be the One

    Written by Lyla Lee

    Narrated by Greta Jung

    4.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    Diverse book recommended by The Today Show * A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year * Bank Street Best Book of the Year * YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults * ALA’s Rainbow Book List Top 10 for Teen Readers

    The world of K-Pop has never met a star like this. Debut author Lyla Lee delivers a deliciously fun, thoughtful rom-com celebrating confidence and body positivity—perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Julie Murphy.

    Skye Shin has heard it all. Fat girls shouldn’t dance. Wear bright colors. Shouldn’t call attention to themselves. But Skye dreams of joining the glittering world of K-Pop, and to do that, she’s about to break all the rules that society, the media, and even her own mother, have set for girls like her.

    She’ll challenge thousands of other performers in an internationally televised competition looking for the next K-pop star, and she’ll do it better than anyone else.

    When Skye nails her audition, she’s immediately swept into a whirlwind of countless practices, shocking performances, and the drama that comes with reality TV. What she doesn’t count on are the highly fat-phobic beauty standards of the Korean pop entertainment industry, her sudden media fame and scrutiny, or the sparks that soon fly with her fellow competitor, Henry Cho.

    But Skye has her sights on becoming the world’s first plus-sized K-pop star, and that means winning the competition—without losing herself.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherKatherine Tegen Books
    Release dateJun 16, 2020
    ISBN9780063019225
    Author

    Lyla Lee

    Lyla Lee is the bestselling author of young adult novels like I’ll Be the One and Flip the Script. She also writes the Mindy Kim series for younger readers and the Gigi Shin books for the middle school crowd. Her books have been translated into multiple languages around the world. Born in South Korea, she’s since then lived in various cities throughout the United States. Inspired by her English teacher, she started writing her own stories in fourth grade and finished her first novel at the age of fourteen. After working various jobs in Hollywood and studying Psychology and Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California, she now lives in Dallas, Texas. Visit Lyla at LylaLeeBooks.com or on Instagram, X (previously known as Twitter), and TikTok @LiteraryLyla.

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    Reviews for I'll Be the One

    4.5/5

    227 ratings17 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Ya'll I am so obsessed with this book! I need this to be a movie ASAP.
      5/5⭐
      I'll Be The One is a charming and heart-warming own voices YA contemporary novel.  Our main character Skye is Korean American, Plus-Size and Bi. She is a singer and dancer. The story takes place when one day she decides to try out for a Korean American TV show called You're My Shining Star that is looking for talent to be the next big K-Pop Star. This book specifically highlights fatphobia and homophobia in a Korean cultural context.

      "I'm fat. People think it means I should hate myself, and when I don't it makes them uncomfortable. But this is just another part of who I am, and I'm happy with who I am" 
      THIS ?? RIGHT ??HERE?? IS MAGICAL ???

      Often fat* girls are not seen a beautiful, talented or even the main character in mainstream media  (So stupid I know) I love that the author put Skye front and center and celebrated her fatness, her talent, beauty and confidence. She made Skye unapologetic and a girl that sees her own worth.

      The fat representation in this book is everything I've ever needed and more. It celebrates Fat Love, Fat Joy, Self Acceptance and Confidence and I'm so here for it all day every day especially in YA.  This is the messaging little kiddos need.

      I fell in love immediately with Skye. I felt fiercely protective of her and wanted to shelter her from the bullshit. I loved seeing her be so authentic, seeing her beauty, talent and determination. I love all the queer representation in the book as well. It made my heart swell.
      This book tackles the real life issues of fatphobia and homophobia so extremely well. This book was so heart warming. I highly recommend it.

      **I say fat in community with the Character as she identifies as fat. Similar in real life I use whatever language people prefer to be in community with them on however they want to be seen in the world.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Well done. Mother/daughter realness, slap down your enemies with grace, turn the other cheek, keep moving forward always. Go Queen Skye!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      When I learned that I would be reading a book that discusses body positivity for the 2021 PopSugar Reading Challenge, I excitedly picked up Lyla Lee's debut YA novel, I'll Be the One, a book about a teenage Korean girl who defies those who say fat girls can't dance by entering a K-Pop reality TV singing and dance competition. I'll Be the One gives off major "you are enough just as you are" vibes and will be inspiring and empowering to anyone who has ever struggled with body image.

      Skye Shin can sing and dance, and sure, she might be plus-sized, but why should that stop her from going for her dreams? People laugh at her, guys look at her with disgust, and even her own mother is ashamed of her, but Skye is one confident girl. She doesn't care what her critics think of her - she is trying out for both the song AND dance components of You're My Shining Star, a K-Pop reality TV competition show ... and she is determined to win.

      But the road to glory is a bumpy one, because as you may guess, Skye is going to have to deal with an unfair share of obstacles on her quest to K-Pop stardom. Because she is plus-sized, she has to work twice as hard and be twice as good just to have a leg to stand on against the girls and guys who meet the K-Pop skinny and beautiful ideal. Does Skye have what it takes to prove to the world that there is room enough for talented plus-size girls too?

      I'll Be the One is a novel that makes no excuses about what it is and what it represents. Skye is loud and proud, and is a bold, energizing young woman who loves herself as she is and doesn't feel she has to change her body or personality to fit someone else's mold. This book screams body positivity, and is a breath of fresh air in a world that seems so focused on achieving skinniness, even by way of body morphing apps and cosmetic surgery, as opposed to just loving and accepting people for who they are. Readers will see themselves in Skye and will cheer her on as she bites back at everyone that calls her fat and dismisses her because she doesn't fit the ideal.

      Also adding flair to this novel is the You're My Shining Star K-Pop competition. I enjoyed following Skye on her journey to becoming a K-Pop star, and appreciated the behind-the-scenes look at reality TV show competitions in the vein of American Idol. These pieces aren't just fun and fluff, however - Lee shows how, despite Skye's obvious dedication and talent, she still has to battle critics who think that she shouldn't even be attempting to compete on a K-Pop talent show due to her body size. Watching Skye show up for herself is inspiring and the way she stands up to her bullies is a much-needed example of how to be assertive and firm against those who seek to bring you down.

      Much recommended to the intended young adult audience, as well as to anyone who enjoys K-Pop, reality TV, or pop culture!
    • 5/5
      Best Book in a long long time, LOVED it so much!
    • 3/5
      I liked the book, it has great representation, but the writing style is a bit awkward and i disliked the voice actor.
    • 5/5
      At first I had a lot of cringey moments but I continue to listen to the book and I was starting to feel like I was watching a k-drama. I was getting all giggly and smiling to myself. I enjoyed it a lot. Also Henry was so lovely!!!
    • 5/5
      I am a small ball of emotions. Highs and lows and laughs and crys, a typical and atypical romcom. Im not over it. I need to read this another 10 times at least.
    • 3/5
      Quite a nice and light read with some important topics discussed. I really liked the main character, Sky. Love that she's a strong and confident protagonist who moves despite other people's opinions about her. All in all, this was an excellent read.
    • 5/5
      Easy Read and Bits of Culture were interestingly done!


      I think the challenge of writing about another culture/subculture is the possibility that it may alienate the readers. I'm not Korean and not really a K-Pop fan (though familiar with it). But the tidbits of food, bath, body perfection, etc. were seamlessly tackled. It took on the serious issues, while keeping the flow light and fun. I finished reading it quickly as it's engaging enough. Maybe some lines I just find cheesy, but that's just me. Others may find them touching or "something that encapsulates their feelings."
    • 5/5
      Fantastic!!! I loved the fat and queer rep! So good and I highly recommend
    • 5/5
      I love the story so much! ? It's so incredible when she's love herself so much that I started to wish I could be like her. It took a lot of courage to make the changes she made.
    • 5/5
      I can't believe I've been sleeping on this book for the longest time! This is empowering and fun and I really wish people would read this. I hope one day, it reaches to someone who really needs to hear how a dash of courage and bravery goes a long way! Please pick this up.
    • 5/5
      This reads like a K-Drama. There were so many little details that get forgotten in the grand scheme of things but it was a simply entertaining book to read. I would consider this like a "book candy book" its simple, fun, and small enough to read in a few hours. Very fun read.
    • 5/5
      A quick, fun read with body positivity and bi representation as well as a sweet romance.
    • 4/5
      I'll Be the One is a 2021 Lone Star Selection.Skye, a Korean-American, competes in a Korean talent competition where the best dancer and best singer win the competition and receive training in South Korea. Skye lives pretty much on her own--her parents occupy little of the novel. Her mother shames her for being fat--telling her/implying she is an embarrassment. Why can't she lose weight? Skye's mother sees Skye's weight as evidence that she's a poor mother. Skye's father works in northern California, so she only sees him every other weekend. He supports her completely. The novel completely focuses on Skye's ambition. She refuses to let people tell her she is less of a person because of her weight. The novel begins with the first audition for the show. One judge tells her immediately that she shouldn't try out because competing in a K-Pop competition means that Koreans don't approve of people being overweight. If she can't be disciplined enough to lose weight, she obviously can't make it in this difficult industry. Skye, however, knows that she is a great dancer and singer.Skye's school life takes up little of the novel. You do know she continues to study because her mother will make her quit the show if her grades drop. She keeps up with two friends. It's her new friends that we really meet. One dance competitor is a famous Korean model. Skye remains focused and assumes he is arrogant. When they end up paired for one dance competition, she discovers he is a careful, kind, and misunderstood guy. Ultimately, Skye finds real people who are talented to be her friends instead of uptight divas who are ready to crush the other people that viewers assume exist on these talent shows. Skye and her new friends are amazing. You'll want Skye to win against those who make pig noises to show that talent is what shines and makes a person amazing, not her weight.The novel supports diversity. She's Korean-American, overweight, and bi-sexual who makes friends with a gay couple. It's real life. The novel shows that we enjoy people and make friends with people who care for one another instead of people who judge.
    • 4/5
      Korean-American teen Skye loves K-Pop, and she's been dancing and singing since she was small. When she gets through the qualifying round to audition for You're My Shining Star, a K-Pop televised singing and dancing competition, she's determined to give it her best. Her supportive dad signs the paperwork, but her mom expresses nothing but negativity toward Skye, due to her size. Skye works hard to maintain her body positivity despite her mom, internet trolls, and a competition judge who thinks that there's no place in the industry for bodies like Skye's. Along the way, she makes some great new friendships and even a sweet romantic connection with the guy she least expects to like. But can she make it all the way to the top?I must admit that I know hardly anything about K-Pop, other than that it's grown in popularity in the US over the past few years. However, even those in the same boat will be able to follow along easily with this story, especially if you enjoy shows like American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance. If this story has a drawback, it's that everything is pretty straightforward: it follows the structure and progress of the competition, so there's the constant "will she or won't she?" tension at every elimination round, but the secondary characters are all pretty static, the romance progresses fairly smoothly, and the negative characters (Skye's mom, the negative judge) are over-the-top abusive and irredeemable. However, I can see this being a highly enjoyable story for teens who like K-Pop, musical competitions, and stories with fierce, body-positive heroines.I listened to the audiobook, and had to speed it up because the narrator's speaking pace was so leisurely. I rarely speed up my audiobooks, so if I notice that the speaking pace is slow, it's really slow. However, since most players offer the option to increase the speed, it's not really an issue, I suppose.
    • 5/5
      This book is a home run, touching so many bases (issues/topics) relevant to teens right now. Skye has had to endure her mother's incessant harping about her being overweight ever since she hit puberty. While her dad is supportive, the tight California job market left him no choice but to work in the San Francisco area and fly home every other weekend. Singing and dance are the fuel keeping Skye alive and able to endure Mom. When she decides to take a risk and enter the first K-Pop competition in the US, it's her father who signs the paperwork. She decides to go whole hog and compete in both the song and dance competitions. The process is at times cutthroat with other contestants, one staff member, and plenty of internet trolls trying to shame/dissuade her, but the more they try, the stiffer her backbone becomes. In the process of competing, she makes friends with several other girls, including two lesbians who live together at college and have experienced the same sort of family shunning and shaming as has Skye. There's also Henry Cho the male model who appears to be shallow and get preferential treatment from the show staff and the press, but the longer he and Skye remain in the running, the more she sees the hidden Henry.Teens who are gay, bi, or questioning, who have experienced family shaming or judgement and those who want to take a risk as a way to grow, will love this book. Bonus points for having not one, but multiple strong female characters. It's an excellent book for all school and public libraries to own.