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K-pop boy band EXO inspires terminally ill fan to publish novels

STORYThe Korea Times
K-pop boy band EXO, which has inspired terminally fan Joana K. Park to write a series of nine novels based on each of the group’s nine members. Photo: EPA-EFE
K-pop boy band EXO, which has inspired terminally fan Joana K. Park to write a series of nine novels based on each of the group’s nine members. Photo: EPA-EFE
K-pop idols

Korean-American Joana A. Park, 36, has written five books so far in a planned series of nine – each one featuring a different group member – in aid of charity

Cancer patients tend to write two types of books: when their cancer goes into remission and they want to share how they regained their health – or when they fall terminally ill and want to leave a record in the final stage of their life.

My condition is terminal because I'm still fighting the cancer ... I [have] met many girls and guys younger than I with the disease ... and decided to tell my story in a way they would enjoy and maybe help one or two of them
Joana A. Park, author, breast cancer sufferer and fan of K-pop boy band, EXO

However, Korean-American Joana A. Park, 36, does not fall into either of these groups.

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Although she is terminally ill with cancer, she is writing a series of books inspired by her favourite K-pop boy band, EXO, to entertain other members of the global fan club, EXO-L, and also to give hope to those people in similar situations.
The cover of Joana A. Park’s novel, ‘Pink Ribbons’, published in February – one of a series of nine she is writing, which are inspired by the members of the K-pop boy band EXO. Photo: Joana A. Park
The cover of Joana A. Park’s novel, ‘Pink Ribbons’, published in February – one of a series of nine she is writing, which are inspired by the members of the K-pop boy band EXO. Photo: Joana A. Park

Pink Ribbons, released in February, is a fictional tale based on her fight against cancer, but inspired heavily by EXO leader Suho, who plays the counterpart character to her alter ego in the book.

The book features a love story between Myeon – a reference to Suho's real name Kim Jun-myeon – and Jojo, which refers to the author.

Park said she came up with the idea for the love story based on a dream she had during surgery, but everything else was fact – even the best friend Charlie (whose real name is Choua).

 

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