Falling for the K-drama Star: Christian Romantic Comedy

by Andrea Boyd

Just how far can this romance possibly go when he’s only in America for two weeks?

Despite the fact that Makenna Abbott is a huge K-drama fan, she knows how to act in front of a celebrity. But when famous actor Jang Hyun-woo books a stay at the resort where she’s an assistant manager, fifteen years of experience washes away like sand on the South Carolina shore during a hurricane. Talking to the actor is effortless and time fades each time she’s around him.
But then her boss, Alex, begins to exhibit a petty jealousy that opens the door for Hyun-woo to play the hero. When Makenna’s son calls to inform her she’s made the news, she finds herself with forced time off. Hyun-woo convinces her to go out with him, which leads to her agreeing to date the Korean star for the rest of his vacation time.
Just how far can this romance possibly go when he’s only in America for two weeks?

Falling for the K-drama Star is a celebrity romance set in South Carolina and Seoul, South Korea. The book gives nods to the micro tropes in K-dramas. This Christian rom com will have you laughing out loud and swooning over the sweet, clean romantic moments. This is book one in the K-drama Inspired series.

Genres: Romance

291 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2026

About the author

I wrote a short story for newsletter subscribers called John’s Fortune. Be sure to grab your free copy! https://dl.bookfunnel.com/68umkcxpkc

Reviews

[Bookworm Denz · Rating 4 out of 5]

[ARC REVIEW 📖]

Falling for the K-drama Star
Author : Andrea Boyd

Heads up! The author turned this 32-chapter book into 16 episodes with product placements instead as dividers like how K-dramas are set up.

38-year-old Ms. Makenna Abbott is the assistant manager at Camp Greenwood Resort. She is a widow (Rick, her husband, died 12 years ago in a car accident) who has a 20-year old son named Ranger, who lives in South Korea & works there as a design artist for online games w/ his friends. She has worked in the resort for over fourteen years time. Both her parents died of cancer when she was still young.

40-year-old Mr. Jang Hyun-woo grew up in the orphanage (parents died in a house fire) w/ his best buddy Cho Yi-jun. He is now an actor who came to the United States to prepare for a role. He visits the resort & spends a fortnight there. Since Alex, (the resort owner) is not actively staying at the resort due to business trips, Ms Abbott serves as the hostess of the resort as well as his translator, in order to make his stay comfortable.

Things take a huge turn though as other VIPs & guests (politicians, sports players, authors, etc.) come to the resort making Ms. Abbott step up to the challenge.

Will there be a chance for a romance to blossom between Hyung-woo & Makenna with Alex her boss always getting in-between them?

I have been getting into reading KPOP/K-drama related books lately & this one shouts GREEN FLAG OPPA immediately. I am loving the slow build-up of the relationship between the FMC & MMC & they just keep giving me butterflies in my stomach. I love how they take time to get to know each other personally through random chit chats & it clearly shows that they are comfortable w/ each other's company.

This was a hard-to-put-it-down romantic book & I am glad I was able to discover a new author I appreciate. Chef's kiss especially to the ending. 🤌❤️ Looking forward to the other two books included in the series! Don't miss the mini-tropes at the end!

Thank you Netgalley, Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op, Dreamer Publishing, & of course the author herself for the opportunity to read! 🥹🫶

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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[Honora · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you to netgalley for an ARC of this story--all thoughts are my own!

This was a cute adult Christian romcom! I love Hyun-joo (He's such a gentleman omw), and the whole story was an interesting twist on other similar stories I've read. The reason I rated it lower was because it was pretty cringy in my opinion, and I didn't love the writing style very much. But I appreciated the faith elements throughout the story!

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel leans into the charm of K-drama romance: it delivers a light, feel-good reading experience, full of warmth, chemistry, and escapism. I appreciated how the story captures the emotional rhythm of a K-drama, even structuring itself in a playful, episodic format that enhances its immersive, screen-like quality.
One of the book’s strongest elements is its romantic dynamic. The relationship develops with a gentle, slow-burn approach, built on small conversations and growing comfort. This creates a sense of sweetness and sincerity that is engaging. The male lead stands out as kind, respectful, and refreshingly grounded despite his fame. His green flag demeanor adds to the novel’s comforting tone and makes the romance easy to root for.
The overall atmosphere is soft, wholesome, and easy to enjoy. As a clean or faith-based romantic comedy, the story incorporates uplifting themes and positive values, which resonated with me as I was looking for something light yet meaningful. The writing style is accessible, making it a quick and approachable read, ideal for those wanting a relaxing escape.
Another notable strength is its appeal to fans of Korean pop culture. The behind-the-scenes glimpses into the entertainment world, combined with cross-cultural elements, give the story a distinct flavor that sets it apart from more conventional romances. Additionally, featuring slightly older protagonists offers a refreshing change for readers like me who are not the young adult target anymore.
The pacing moved quickly and certain elements could have been explored in greater depth, but the novel’s charm ultimately lies in its simplicity. It embraces familiar tropes and romantic wish-fulfillment in a way that feels cozy, nostalgic, and fun—much like watching a favorite K-drama unfold.
Overall, this is a sweet, easygoing romance that delivers exactly what it promises: a comforting, dreamy love story with a strong K-drama vibe, perfect for readers looking to unwind and indulge in a bit of romantic escapism.

[Zahida ZZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley

that was such cute story. as a kcontent fan myself, I ;once in a while; like reading books with characters involved in the kpop or kdrama industry, however, most of these books are targetted to young audience, with teenagers as main lead, so I was pleasently surprised when I discovered that the cast this time was in the late 30s and early 40s, which made me relate more to the characters.
I liked the plot, and enjoyed my time reading the story, and it was exactly what I was craving at the moment, a cute fluffy clean romance that involved a hot kdrama star who falls in love with a common woman, it's like reading about my wildest dreams. and I liked the mother-son relatioship, a relationship that we don't see often in books. the writing style was good. it was a nice gesture dividing the chapter into episodes and each "episode" had a comercial break, it felt like watching a 16 episodes kdrama

however, there were some aspects that I didn't like:
1): the characters were not fleshed out, especially the MMC, he was two dimentional to the point that this sory read as a fanfiction, he checked all the boxes, and yet couldn't feel the chemestry or got convinced about their love
2): dispite that clichés and cringy moments are a trade mark in kdrama, but in this book, they were too many to the point that the second hand embarassement was getting me out of the story sometimes,
3): the love triangle was painfull to read,
4): I have alreay said that the characters were older, yet, they didn't act their age which added to the cringiness of some situations

I recommend this book for the kdrama lover who just want to live their fantasies of falling in love with a kstar,

[Marylin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this was such a fun book to read!
I LOVE K-Dramas, so when I saw this book, I had to have it!
The author did a fantastic job of portraying the fun, interesting, and typical aspects of a K-Drama. This story had so much Asian flair and wonderful traditions. It warmed my heart.
I’ve read many books by Andrea Boyd, and when I heard she was going to write this series, I knew it would be fun to read, and I wasn’t disappointed.
Andrea Boyd is a skilled author who weaves a beautiful tale of a second chance at love, trust, self-worth, and hope. It also touched on the blending of two cultures and on overcoming others' prejudices. This story flowed so smoothly that it was easy to read in one day! The dialogue was so enjoyable, and all the details brought the story to life. The author also described some yummy-sounding foods and traditions that I can relate to, because of my own background. The author has done a wonderful job researching this culture.
I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend you pick it up.
I was given this book by the publisher, which did not influence my review in any way; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[TotallyTae23 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Sweet, cute, and plenty of fun!
Hyun-woo is a green flag, he’s adorable (or you know, as adorable as a 40 year old man can be haha!)
Makenna was also cool! I appreciated how professional she was at first. I was kind of worried it was going to be the kind of story that either treats Hyun woo like a “fantasy” or makes things weird between a celeb and a fan girl… that dynamic can just be messy you know? But luckily it wasn’t and they were cute together!
I will say it’s a bit comedic at times in a way that can read as cringey… or genuinely funny depending on the moment.
I also think I’m not the target age group, as I don’t relate to having a grown up child or anything. But I found the sentiment sweet and I understand where Makenna was coming from. I do think an audience closer to the characters age would have an easier time with that.
I appreciated the Christian theming too!!
All and all it had lots of good, and I think it’s a nice read. Especially if you’re a fan of k-dramas, Christian literature, or just looking for something funny and heartfelt.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Falling for the K-drama Star' is an enjoyable read that leans fully into its K‑drama theme, complete with “episodes” instead of chapters and even playful “commercial breaks” recommending other clean romcoms.

The story balances its settings well between a South Carolina resort and time spent in Korea, and the pacing keeps the romance moving. I especially appreciated Hyun‑woo as a lead. In stories with wealthy or famous love interests, they can often come across as prideful, but his humility and kindness made him easy to root for.

Makenna’s familiarity with Korean feels a bit too convenient, but it ultimately creates a sweet connection between the characters. Altogether, this is a charming Christian romcom that fans of clean romance and K‑dramas will likely enjoy.

Special thanks to Dreamer Publishing and NetGalley for providing an advance review copy. I received this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

[Takisha Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Perfect, Binge-Worthy Treat for K-Drama Fans!

This is the first book in a brand-new series, and I absolutely cannot wait to continue reading it! If you love Christian romantic comedies and K-dramas, then this book is 100% made for you.
Andrea Boyd did such a fantastic job weaving in so many clever little hints of a classic K-drama that had me constantly smiling while reading. I absolutely loved the "commercial breaks"—though I have to warn you, my to-be-read list has grown exponentially now thanks to all the recommendations in this book!
The pacing was so fun and addictive. Just like when I stream my favorite shows, I kept telling myself, "Just one more episode before I go to bed!" only to keep reading late into the night.
It is a sweet, hilarious, and heartwarming story that you won't want to put down. Highly recommended!

[Joanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC from NetGalley

This was an easy, quick read, but overall it felt just okay for me.

The premise had a lot of potential—a resort setting, a K-drama star, and a cross-cultural relationship—but the pacing moved very quickly, with limited depth. Major developments, including the progression of their relationship, marriage, and even starting a family, all happened within a short span, which made it harder to feel fully connected to the characters.

Because of that, some emotional moments and conflicts didn’t land as strongly as they could have. The story felt more like a summary of events rather than something I could fully immerse myself in.

That said, it’s still an easy read if you’re looking for something light with a K-drama-inspired romance, just don’t expect too much depth.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second book by Andrea and even with zero knowledge of k-dramas, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Andrea does a fantastic job of pulling readers right into the story and romance, weaving a beautiful tale of a second chance at love, trust, self-worth, hope and the blending of two cultures. This novel leans into the charm of K-drama romance, structuring itself in a playful, episodic format that enhances its immersive, screen-like quality. I’ll be checking out the upcoming books in this series for sure!

[Taylor Nycole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started this book and I liked it a lot but the review of this book that I saw did not mention that it was a Christian rom com. I enjoyed Makenna and Hyun-woo but the random Christian placements led me to DNF the book.

I DNF’d it simply because this book was not written for me. The 2 stars are because I enjoyed the banter and I think its a great idea for a rom com but religious books are just not my cup of tea. If it is yours then this book is perfect for you.

[Lilian · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the premise of the book revolves around a Korean star, do expect some Kdrama mini-tropes to pop up throughout the book. It was interesting to see this happening on paper instead of on screen.

Makenna and Hyun Woo share a sweet romance that first starts from friendship and eventually grows deeper through shared moments while he is on holiday. I loved how Makenna’s son, Ranger, and Hyun Woo’s best friend, Yi-Jun, plays a part in helping the couple reach their Happy Ever After.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Falling for the K-drama Star was such a fun and easy read. I was captivated from the first page!

The connection between Makenna and Hyun-woo is instant and sweet and I loved watching their relationship growth over time.

This was the first book I’ve read that was inspired by K-dramas and it did not disappoint. The format was really interesting and unique.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Allyson Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read. Falling for the K-drama Star has great characters and a wonderful storyline with Christian elements. I enjoyed the chemistry between MacKenna and Hyun-woo, who was in America for a brief time. It was neat learning about the Korean culture and learning a couple of Korean words.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

[Dana A Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a new genre for me but I enjoy this author so decided to dive in. It was a very fun read. I enjoyed the characters, plot lines and the cultural insights. A very enjoyable read.

[Magpiebookreviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and fast read with thoughtfully developed characters that made the story shine. Short, sweet, and satisfying.