MADE IN KOREA

Published 05/18/21 (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

Frankly in Love meets Shark Tank in this feel-good romantic comedy about two entrepreneurial Korean American teens who butt heads—and maybe fall in love—while running competing Korean beauty businesses at their high school.

There’s nothing Valerie Kwon loves more than making a good sale. Together with her cousin Charlie, they run V&C K-BEAUTY, their school’s most successful student-run enterprise. With each sale, Valerie gets closer to taking her beloved and adventurous halmeoni to her dream city, Paris.

Enter the new kid in class, Wes Jung, who is determined to pursue music after graduation despite his parents’ major disapproval. When his classmates clamor to buy the K-pop branded beauty products his mom gave him to “make new friends,” he sees an opportunity—one that may be the key to help him pay for the music school tuition he knows his parents won’t cover…

What he doesn’t realize, though, is that he is now V&C K-BEAUTY’s biggest competitor.

Stakes are high as Valerie and Wes try to outsell each other, make the most money, and take the throne for the best business in school—all while trying to resist the undeniable spark that’s crackling between them. From hiring spies to all-or-nothing bets, the competition is much more than either of them bargained for.

But one thing is clear: only one Korean business can come out on top.

find it here

reviews

“Sarah Suk infuses her characters with such life and rich detail that they will jump off the page right into your heart. Made in Korea is a beautifully wrought tale about dreams and how to make them come true.”

—Nafiza Azad, award-winning author of The Candle and the Flame and The Wild Ones

“A delightful and heartwarming coming of age story about two lonely outsiders finding each other and butting heads before eventually recognizing a kindred soul. An adorable rival-to-lovers romcom that incorporates Korean culture seamlessly. You'll find yourself struggling with which team to root for! Pick it up for a sweet and entertaining read!” —Kat Cho, internationally bestselling author of Wicked Fox and Vicious Spirits

“I knew I was going to love this book when the opening line was about Hi-Chews. Made in Korea is delightfully charming from the first page to the last. With beautifully complex characters that leapt off the page and a high school rivalry that’s as riveting as it is unique, this book spoke to my heart like a best friend, and I adored every word.” —Akemi Dawn Bowman, author of William C. Morris Award Finalist Starfish and the Infinity Courts series

“This clever rivals-to-lovers romance stole my heart on page one. With rich details and compelling family dynamics, Made in Korea glows with empathy and charm. I adored ambitious, business-minded Valerie and sweet musician Wes, and I'm not sure I’ll ever stop grinning about them. A true delight!” —Rachel Lynn Solomon, award-winning author of Today Tonight Tomorrow

k-pop playlist