I’m not sure when I discovered this novel, but when I did, I was SUPER excited. When we first got Barnaby (@BarnabytheBernedoodle on Insta), I got really into the BL shows on Viki Rakuten. And this novel was made to be one of those shows and or happen while one of those shows was being made so of COURSE I was going to read it—see the first quote below. Plus, I’ve always needed to do better about diversifying the protagonists of the books I read, especially the MM Romances.
Idol Minds is the story of Jason, a Korean-America child actor trying to overcome his now bad-boy damaged image and Tae Hyun, a massive K-pop star trying to get over a bad relationship with a bandmate and figure out his next steps after dodging the spotlight by doing his compulsory military service early.
I talked about loving the meta-commentary of the MM holiday romances referencing Hallmark movies so of course I squealed, like legit out loud when this one came up:
Jason kept stumbling as they walked and almost dropped the whiskey bottle. So Tae Hyun eventually took it from him and put Jason’s arm over his shoulders to help him along. The scene felt way too much like being in a drama series. All they needed was the accidental trip and fall into an unexpected kiss. But it also made Tae Hyun’s heart race again. (Loc. 1,607)
The relationship develops slowly, but when they finally realize they’re in it for the long haul shit starts to get real and they have to have conversations, that they don’t have; and make decisions, that they don’t make; because they’re men and men are stupid and hate talking to each other. I legit felt my heart ache when Jason went back to the US to protect Tae Hyun’s reputation and then Tae Hyun pulled his stunt and my heart soared.
Aside from that one moment I did struggle a bit with Jason’s depressing AF, spoiled rich boy attitude, I mean you can only take so much of the wallowing and self-pity.
Besides, Jason had always known that love was never in the cards for him. Even having just one day’s worth of it was probably more than he could’ve hoped for. (Loc. 3,266)
Salvo, however, did a fantastic job of pacing and toying with the readers emotions and expectations. There was so much sass and heat between the two characters:
You’re both talented. You’re both charming and hot-headed. And you’re both willing and able to weaponize your charm to get what you want. (Loc. 1,145)
And so many of the minor characters added to it or served to ramp up Jason and Tae Hyun, or help them cool off, that the balance worked really well.
I don’t have any notes on whether Salvo walked the walk on the characters being verse, there’s the next-to-last quote below so I have to assume that Salvo did come through or I would’ve noted it, because I always do. So hopefully they did and if not I’m sure it’ll stand out like a red flag when I read the second book in the series, Idol Moves.
Recommendation: READ IT. You don’t even have to love the BL or K-Drama’s that I’ve fallen into over the past couple of year to appreciate it. Salvo does a great job of showing the K-Pop experience and that colliding with the film industry and having a Korean-American hot-shot actor who has his own immigrant backstory and US-based drama. I can’t wait to read book two, but I’ve been putting it off to try and catch up on other things.
Opening Line: “Jason strode across the dusty warehouse floor, grit and loose gravel loudly crunching under the soles of his heavy boots.”
Closing Line: “‘And to lovely friends,’ Jason added, ‘and happy lives.'” (Whited out to avoid spoilers, highlight to read.)
Additional Quotes from Idol Minds
“Hell, neither of them was even Japanese. Jason was Korean, and Maggie was Filipino. Tommy was probably the only actual Japanese person in the whole cast. But the studio didn’t care about shit like that. To white audiences, Asian was Asian.” (Loc. 133)
“While gay sex was legal, Korean society still generally looked down on it, especially from their idols. A few actors and performers had come out and built decent followings. But Tae Hyun was an idol with one of the Big Four entertainment companies. Coming out just wasn’t an option. And Tae Hyun now had a gorgeous, charming, charismatic Hollywood actor staying in his apartment.” (Loc. 1,231)
“You say that like you’re at all complicated and not just a simple, predictable, alcohol-infused man-child.” (Loc. 1,672)
“‘For sure.’ Jason’s chuckle was low and deep.
‘I can’t wait until it’s my turn.”
Was Jason versatile? Tae Hyun had assumed he was a top.
‘You want me to fuck you?’
Jason laughed.
‘Not right now. But, yeah, I very much want that.'” (Loc. 2,657)
“It’s been two years, and you’re still the same hurt boy scared that any time he opens his heart to someone, he’ll get hurt again.” (Loc. 3,386)