Friday, January 28, 2011

Popped (Chinggay Labrador)

In another life, I am obsessed with anime and manga, Japanese pop stars and movies. I took Japanese language classes. I've stayed at home just to finish an entire series. I wrote fanfiction; I've even made a Japanese-inspired harem game and a manga. One of my lifelong goals is to visit Japan, land of everything for which my fangirl heart beats. (Does that totally destroy any kind of lit street cred I may have? LOL.)

So when I came across Chinggay Labrador's Popped, I knew right away that I was going to relate to the story. The protagonist, Andie, is getting over a breakup via Korean dramas, which is only the start of her obsession as a K-fangirl. She and her friends find themselves elbowing other fans at a local K-pop concert, taking trips to Japan and Korea, and even chasing stars all over the place. Popped is really more about female solidarity, guilty pleasures, and unabashed optimism more than it is a love story, but there is still kilig there. Perhaps that kilig factor is already inherent in every fan-chasing-star tale (and how close they come) but Popped is still seasoned with a couple other romances that can touch anyone whose ever liked Asian-style love stories. I say this with a caveat though: I don't know how a non-fangirl would react to the story. Sure, there are a couple of things that seem far-fetched but I think that their adventures are the kind that a fan would dream of having. Also, the gushing tone that the characters use might get on some nerves if you're not familiar with the whole scenario. Andie certainly became hardcore too fast too soon, and though it's not unheard of, the lengths she goes to in her Second Life can take the reader aback.

I've never been to Korea but Ms Labrador writes her setting with such familiarity and enthusiasm that I feel as if I'm right there having this adventure with her. I've actually done something similar: a) one of my reasons for going to Taiwan was to see that diner where Shan Cai and Dao Min Si would meet but practicality won out in the end; and b) my sister and I have done that whole star-chasing thing when Jerry Yan and Vic Zhou came to Manila. But in Popped, this kind of adventure is given larger significance because it becomes not just about chasing boys, but about being there for your friends. Having BFFs who can understand you and appreciate you for all your quirks and moments of weaknesses is something worth treasuring, even if you have to go to another country to reaffirm that. Because of this, Popped is something I would heartily recommend to my chick-lit loving fangirl friends -- let's do this. >.< ^_^

20 comments:

skysenshi said...

LOL! I might be able to relate to this one as well. :D

dementedchris said...

It's pure fanservice XP. Really the kind of Japanese/Korean adventure that only a fangirl can daydream about haha.

Anonymous said...

erm is the book in english?

dementedchris said...

Yes, it is. This is published by Summit Media, and their books are in English.

Anonymous said...

where i can buy & how much? thanks :)

dementedchris said...

I bought my copy from a magazine stand in the Visayas, so I'm pretty sure bookstores and magazine stands (or anywhere Summit magazines are distributed) in Manila already carry it. I think it costs P150.

cpsanti said...

;-) i just read this, and it really hit the spot! hahaha! i've done the j-dorama mathon as well...wish i still had time for it though.

dementedchris said...

LOL, same here! My first lemme-skip-work-to-finish-a-series-marathon was over the anime version of Hana Yori Dango, but over the years, I've done the same for other series as well. ^^;

kimiLaaabs said...

i am curious. can you name some of the kpop groups andie loves?

i want to buy this too. :))

lynel said...

love the book <3
it is perfect for us (kpop fans)
XD it's a page turner, gahd~~!!
having this book feels like buying kpop stuffs XD Hooray for Ms. Chinggay :)

Patricia said...

Really had fun reading the book :)

Anonymous said...

I bought one in a gasoline station in Isabela for P175. i liked the cover design and that's what attracted me. i'm already on the 10th chapter and the story is sooooo amazing. i can relate on it. ^^

Lexi Yoon said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lexi Yoon said...

I'm not really the fan girl type but I actually enjoyed reading this book in just a day!(hmm...okay, I'll admit, just a bit of the fan girl :D), I got so kilig with Trixie and Joon. They're my fave couple in the story ;)

Len aka Andie said...

Woah!!i really love it!you can really travel much than other books!it's so beautifull!!!it is only P175.00 !!i'm not really a K-pop fan,but now i'm already a k-pop fan!!!i really like it!there are comedy parts in there!i really like the couple "Trixie and Joon"!they are so nakakakilig!there are romance,comedy and nakakaiyak!i really really like it!

kpoplover said...

can you tell me where can I buy this near in manila?

LovingMaknae said...

guys! I'm already done reading this, and it's so fun!! I can really relate.haha! :)) It made me increased my fighting spirit.thanks to Chinggay unnie! <3

Pinaywriter said...

OTAKU unite! Anyway we were gaga over All things Jap before them kpop girls came arrived. We were already hitting puberty when the Hallyu wave came around and as much as I am drawn to it, being a fanfic writer as well, I feel more comfortable with fangirling on Jdrama though I watch a lot Kdrama to keep up with conversations with my Kstudents (phone English teacher to Ks)

this book is nice. And though I won't recommend it to my high brow bookworm friends, I own these books and I loved reading them. So far just once but I would definitely read them again. Try reading it on the bus, you will feel the giggle shame when people look at you as you suppress a girlish kilig squeal.

Anonymous said...

where can I buy the book online or anyone selling it?

dementedchris said...

@alsiong
It's available on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Popped-Chinggay-Labrador-ebook/dp/B007XS3FF4/

I think it is also available as an ebook on the Buqo app. (Try their site: http://store.buqo.ph/)