Book giveaway: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
by javabeans
This is a little out of the ordinary for us here at Dramabeans, but we thought we’d offer it up to you guys anyway: We have three copies to give away of a young adult novel, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, written by Korean-American author (and drama fan) Jenny Han, which features a Korean-American heroine and is centered around a contract romance.
This is not a book about K-dramas, but it sounded kinda right up our alley so girlfriday and I gave it a read and both really enjoyed it. I found it sweet and clever (I love young adult novels, I love romance, and I love dramas—the book hit my sweet spots), and we’re happy to have free copies to send your way for three interested Dramabeans readers.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before features a half-Korean high school student as the protagonist, Lara Jean; she’s the middle sister of three, and together they call themselves the “Song girls” after their mother’s surname. The plot gets going when Lara Jean’s love letters—the ones she writes to boys she’s been in love with, never intending for them to be sent—get mailed accidentally (horrors!), and what ensues is a really cute, funny story of contract dating, love triangles, bickering couples, sisterly bonding, and growing up.
Aside from the cute romance and touching family moments, I have to say I was really happy to read about a Korean heroine in a novel where her Koreanness is a clear presence without the novel being all about her being Korean, if that makes sense. And despite not having anything explicitly to do with Korean dramas, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t picturing a few dramaland actors in the roles, thinking this would make a cute TV series.
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
Leave a comment below, sharing your favorite K-drama that includes contract dating. (Author Jenny names My Name is Kim Sam Soon as hers. I might have to pick Dal Ja’s Spring for mine, even though it only barely qualifies for contract dating.)
Be sure to leave a valid email address, since that’s how we’ll get in touch with winners.
Deadline: Thursday, April 17, at midnight PST. We’ll announce winners shortly thereafter.
If you’d like to buy the book instead, it was just released by Simon & Schuster today so it’s now available.
(This post is not sponsored and we weren’t given anything to do it; we just liked the book and were offered the chance to give it away to our readers. And who could complain about free books?)
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601 Jo
April 16, 2014 at 8:20 PM
Prime minister is dating.
Does this qualify as contract dating drama?
Thx!
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602 Viv
April 16, 2014 at 8:30 PM
Goong/Princess Hours will always hold a special place in my heart
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603 Sujin Chang
April 16, 2014 at 8:46 PM
GOONG/PRINCESS HOURS
Okay. So it wasn't really a contract dating so much as a twisted version of the story of Shim Chung. Kind of. It was also the only role in which I liked Yoon Eun Hye with all of my heart. And before Ju Ji Hoon became busted for drugs.
For anyone who is a Kdrama fan, this one is most definitely one of the first ones that you probably watched, and what got you hooked on all the others. I know this because it was also one of my firsts, and therefore has a very special place in my heart.
It's such a fantastic concept of "what ifs" that you can't help but be enchanted by the extravagance of it all. "What if Korea had become a constitutional monarchy?" "What would be the role of the monarch today?" "How would they live in our society?" And "How would those around them be affected?"
If you haven't watched it, go see it. You will not be disappointed by all the innocence. #weddingnight
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604 Thuy
April 16, 2014 at 8:49 PM
Just one?? Such a hard task..
But I loved City Hunter.. and the runner up would have to be the ever so heart warming Stars Falling From the Sky family drama. Whats not to adore about those children? :)
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605 Ginnie Ileto
April 16, 2014 at 8:50 PM
My Girlfriend is a Gumiho. Hilarious and cute!
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606 Nysha
April 16, 2014 at 9:10 PM
Oh gosh, i simply adore Jenny Han's books. I remember reading Shug in 6th grade and then The Summer I turned Pretty series soon after. She really has a way with words and crafting beautiful stories. And i am so glad that you guys are holding this giveaway because i had no clue in the first place that she had released a new book. :)
My favorite contract dating drama is definitely Goong! It was one of my first kdramas so haha, i guess it does have a permanent place in my heart. It had its quirky and fun moments, which is what i adore about contract dating dramas. It also introduced me to Yoon Eun Hye and Joo Ji-hoon and oh gosh, their chemistry was picture perfect.
I was actually surprised at myself for liking it. Contract dating plots never appealed to me before especially after going through series and series of mangas that utilized the same old plots. Even after reading the manga version of Goong, i wasn't amused by the plot. But i'm really thankful i did give the drama a chance, or to be more truthful, a second chance. It really introduced me to the whole sphere of the drama world and yes, i do have soft spot for contract dating dramas now!
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607 Ashley
April 16, 2014 at 9:12 PM
My favourite are Full House and My Girl
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608 Linh
April 16, 2014 at 9:50 PM
Full house!
One of the few first 'contract dating' dramas I've seen. Definitely a Korean-drama classic.
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609 Natalie
April 16, 2014 at 10:10 PM
my girlfriend is a gumiho!!
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610 Linda
April 16, 2014 at 10:11 PM
Full House, it's the drama that really started my love for kdramas!
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611 jadetaia
April 16, 2014 at 10:41 PM
Delightful Girl Choon Hyung got me started on the Kdrama romance kick. Prior to that, I'd only watched the Kdramas with tragic endings.
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612 Lolis
April 16, 2014 at 10:42 PM
I loved Fantasy Couple! Is it still considered a contract when only one side knows about it? The hijinks were
hilarious and irony was everywhere. You just gotta love the Hong Sisters ^.^
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613 bibapr57
April 16, 2014 at 10:50 PM
Mmm, Contract Dating/Marriages make for my favorite dramas! I have to say I loved Coffee Prince because it's both Gender bender and Contract Dating. But Sassy Girl Choon Hyang is my second favorite because of the added teenage element as well as the growing up the characters do while in the drama, that is to mean that they mature but they never stop being themselves.
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614 Hanabi
April 16, 2014 at 10:55 PM
Oh!, this book sounds like it'll hit all the right spot for me! My all time favorite contract drama would be MY GIRL. It was so cute, so funny, and so charming.
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615 Vicky
April 16, 2014 at 11:18 PM
i'll be honest, haven't really seen enough contract romance dramas, but i really liked prime minister and i!!! not really sure if you can count that though because the contract wasn't a very prominent part of the story line, except for the fact that it got them together
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616 Kristen J
April 16, 2014 at 11:36 PM
My favorite drama with contract dating/marriages is "Creating Destiny" with Eugene Kim and her husband. I liked that there were a real couple both on and off screen!
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617 Kimmidoll
April 16, 2014 at 11:44 PM
Oh Javabeans this story sounds amazing! I haven't read a book in ages as nothing as caught my eye, but this definitely has!
Just taking a wild shot, cause I never win anything anyways, but Prime Minister and I has to be my favourite contract marriage drama! I'm ignoring the last 4 episodes of it, of course, hehe. It's funny cause I usually only like dramas with flower boy type actors in them, but Lee Bum Soo had me swooning all over his Prime Minister Kwon. I loved the little Kwon family unit too :')
Wow, okay typing this has made me want to rewatch PMaI again dammit, brb
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618 Jennipoh
April 16, 2014 at 11:48 PM
Definitely My Name is Kim Sam Soon!!! Kim Sun Ah's shining moment ♥♥♥♥
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619 agentsawse
April 17, 2014 at 12:13 AM
The book sounds super fun and cute! I loved My Name is Kim Sam Soon, but Lie to Me was my third drama and the first I really liked. It wasn't perfect, but it totally got me hooked.
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620 Kc Gonzales
April 17, 2014 at 12:49 AM
I have to agree with Ms. Jenny, it's MNIKSS. My first take on Hyun Bin. I watched it Filipino-dubbed. So adorably funny.
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621 Elok
April 17, 2014 at 1:57 AM
lovers in paris and full house take 2
park shin yang charisma jjang!!! and no min woo is funny and cute in full house take 2 ^^
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622 rainerust
April 17, 2014 at 2:11 AM
Wow I almost thought no one watches the old Hong Sisters dramas because there was so little mention of Delightful Girl Choon-Hyang but thankfully seems like there were still a few folks who did watch that drama. I'm not sure it counts as contract dating/marriage so much as...arranged dating/marriage? But it was one of my favourite dramas (although it might have helped that I caught it much earlier when it was airing since the narrative devices they relied on have now become fairly common drama troupes).
Hmmm I am so going to have to check out Jenny Han - if you guys like her then I'm sure she'll be a fun read!
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623 florie navarra
April 17, 2014 at 2:34 AM
Hands down!its full house for me.uuu
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624 tokkioncrack
April 17, 2014 at 2:48 AM
Lie to me for me.But is it a valid entry????
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625 TAMATA
April 17, 2014 at 3:14 AM
My all time favorite is Princess Hours (Goong) then Full House. Both classics in which I have both full DVD sets. It was because of these two I became hooked on Kdramas.
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626 Rosie
April 17, 2014 at 3:56 AM
DELIGHTFUL GIRL CHOON-HYANG all the way!
I know it's marriage instead of dating but I guess since they weren't in love first it qualifies as a contract, eh?
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627 vikkikim
April 17, 2014 at 3:58 AM
I've never seen a contract dating kdrama but i loved arang and the magistrate!
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628 Almari
April 17, 2014 at 4:25 AM
Mine would be Full House. It's the classic korean drama for contract marriage! <3 For anyone who wishes to watch his/her first korean drama, this one is a must since it has all the elements you'll surely enjoy. It has drama, comedy, romance and the Song Hye Kyo and Rain pairing is just too cute to resist!! <3 <3
PS. Hoping I'll win! I adore The Summer I turned Pretty Series and I've been waiting for this book to come out since then! :)
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629 nonski ⭐️A forever JIN who crash landed on Hyun Bins heart❤️!
April 17, 2014 at 5:26 AM
Thank you Javabeans and Girlfriday for giving us an opportunity to read this book. Sounds awesome. Oh and i was just done reading with your first book and eagerly awaiting for the second installment!
Contract dating had become a cliche in kdramaland but some still outdo other dramas, you know those that make us look beyond the cliche and still love the drama. I'll go for the one that almost everyone else copied... MNISKSS, the story is great and it I love how KSS's character developed, and well, of course, Hyun Bin, this is the first drama where i watched him and it's love at first sight. :)
Thank you in advance.
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630 buckdawna
April 17, 2014 at 6:32 AM
Gaksital!
Just kidding. My Girlfriend is a Gumiho gets my vote. They enter into their (oral) 100-day contract thinking a fox bead is on the line, but quickly find out their hearts and lives are the real spoils. *tear*
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631 Jeeeryl
April 17, 2014 at 7:13 AM
Coooffee prince~
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632 adette
April 17, 2014 at 8:27 AM
Favorites are so hard to pick! I think I'm going to have to say 1%의 어떤 것 with Kim Jung-hwa and Kang Dong-won. It's by no means the greatest drama that ever was but it was one of my first ever (and possibly first contact marriage/dating drama) so it holds a special place in my heart, lol. For some reason I really like dramas in which two characters initially dislike each other but then fall in love.... plus, KDW is the greatest man-child and his moments of petty jealousy
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adette
April 17, 2014 at 8:32 AM
gahh I didn't finish my comment.. AND I forgot to change my email -_____-;;
but yeah. KDWs moments of jealousy are the best, and Byun Hee-bong is the most precious grandfather figure. Gahh.
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633 Diana Hansen
April 17, 2014 at 8:32 AM
first, thank you for giving your readers a chance for a fun book!
second, there are many dramas like this that i loved but i have to go with my name is kim sam soon even though i just love masters sun and full house. my daughter got interested in kdramas by watching an episode here and there while i was watching. the first one she fell in love with is kim sam soon followed by full house. she even lent it from me (i have a copy) and got her friend to watch it also. that is sharing the love of kdrama around for sure! it is also proof that we do influence our kids and they do take note of our actions and interests. i love dramas that tug at your heart and make you watch them over and over <3
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634 seoulmonster
April 17, 2014 at 9:52 AM
King 2 Hearts. what other contracted couple created peace between the two Koreas? yeah that's right, NONE.
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635 kathetao
April 17, 2014 at 11:32 AM
Most creative twist on contract dating: 1st shop of Coffee Prince
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636 J
April 17, 2014 at 11:38 AM
Aaaah!! It was between Full House and the Prime Minister and I, but I would still choose FULL HOUSE:-)
It was the first kdrama I have ever watched and hooked me in for life to watch many more!
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637 Michelle
April 17, 2014 at 1:15 PM
I love that contract marriages are such a beloved plot device in dramas that you can make an entire giveaway based on it!
My favorite contract marriage is by far Delightful Girl Chun-Hyang. Despite some unrealistically dramatic (or dramatically unrealistic, which I suppose is what a Korean drama lives on) subplots and relationships, the chemistry and hearty wit just makes it the most enjoyable drama I've ever seen.
And I'm really excited for this book--it looks really adorable and I'm glad it seems like something I could connect to!
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638 Francian
April 17, 2014 at 1:30 PM
Coffee prince and Lie to Me. Love those two dramas.
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639 vonn
April 17, 2014 at 1:31 PM
it has to be my name is kim sam soon! i still listen to the ost till today and i can rewatch that show over and over again <3
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640 Ellis
April 17, 2014 at 5:23 PM
Although not a very good drama, my pick would definitely be "Goong"--heartwarming, total absurd at times, but absolutely beautiful to watch and Yoon Eun Hye is always a treat. I just can't help but love the idea of a modern-day monarchy with a broodly-handsome prince and a sweet princess who is going to change everything whether she's aware of it or not.
Thanks for this, javabeans and girlfriday :)
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641 Lala
April 17, 2014 at 5:46 PM
My Name Is Kim Sam Soon definately my favorite! But there were a lot of other great ones too!
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642 strawberry.paper
April 17, 2014 at 6:37 PM
My favorite was Delightful Girl ChoonHyang; my favorite parts of the drama was just when they got married, because even though it was a contract marriage I really felt their connection brewing underneath. I hope I win, I love Jenny Han!
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643 periwinkleblue
April 17, 2014 at 7:39 PM
"총리와 나" was really sweet, and I like happy dramas. So...Prime Minister and I!
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644 Idyll
April 17, 2014 at 7:51 PM
I think for me my favorite contract dating drama is Dandelion Family. It's not one that people talk about a lot, I passed over it so many times because I didn't think it would be good. After watching a few eps I was sucked in. Even though the focus is on the three main couples, the youngest daughter's romance is the one I loved the most. Her contract marriage with Lee Jae Ha is both hilarious and touching. The way he saves her before they get into the actual contract, I would have jumped at the chance to marry him XD
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645 Mawiie
April 17, 2014 at 8:09 PM
Mine is definitely Goong! Not perfect, but a sentimental favorite <3
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646 Kat V
April 17, 2014 at 8:34 PM
flower boy ramyun shop was my first K-drama ever and made me love it so much! It was my gateway drug ahah!
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647 brian
April 17, 2014 at 9:12 PM
My favorite contract dating is still the classic Coffee Prince. Nothing more funny than their silly antics while angry women slap, cry or pout when they find out he has a gay boyfriend, LOL.
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648 Cheryl
April 17, 2014 at 11:11 PM
The Prime Minister and I.
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