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| Cover of book 'Pink Ribbons' / Courtesy of Joana A. Park |
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| Joana A. Park / Courtesy of author |
Joana A. Park doesn't fall into either of these groups. She is terminally ill with cancer but she writes a series of books inspired by her favorite K-pop group, EXO, to entertain her fellow EXO fan club members EXOL and also to give hope to those in similar situations.
"Pink Ribbons," released in February this year, 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 is a love story between Myeon, referring to Suho's real name Kim Jun-myeon, and "Jojo" which refers to the author herself. According to the author, she fictionalized the love story based on a dream she had during surgery, but everything else is fact -- even the best friend Charlie (whose real name is Choua).
"My intent is to give awareness to others who may have the disease and not know it. I went to the doctor for a simple checkup and came out of her office with a diagnosis I never expected. Throughout my journey I met many girls and guys younger than I with the disease. I thought of my EXOL friends and decided to tell my story in a way they would enjoy and maybe help one or two of them," Park said in an email interview with The Korea Times.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer on March 15, 2016, when she was 34.
"My condition is terminal because I'm still fighting the cancer. I've had surgery and removed a new lump that was found this year but I'm still having radiation treatments," said Park.
The 36-year-old is a Korean-American who currently lives in the United States and receives treatments. She is an animal control officer who still works part-time in that field to pay for the treatments. Born to a Korean father and an American mother, she speaks English, Spanish and some Korean and the book is also available in the three languages.
"Pink Ribbons" is a self-published book through Createspace on Amazon. The book is not refined or polished in writing or plot like traditional publications, but Park's persistence to write while fighting cancer is laudable.
The book is part of a larger series -- a continuing project -- she is writing called "XO Book Series" inspired by the nine EXO members. Park has currently published five books inspired by the members of EXO, each of whom is made into a character in one book of the series.
"The members of EXO are very interesting and super talented. There are nine different personas that I can mold into whatever character I want in my stories. They give me motivation and inspiration to do my best," she said.
"I'm an older fan. I began liking EXO in 2013. I was a big fan of SHINee and EXO just seemed to fit the same style."
Apart from "The Secret of the Cherry Blossoms," about three girls who get a dream job to work with idols and find love, published before her cancer diagnosis, she wrote the rest while fighting against cancer. And she plans to continue.
"I'm currently working on A Moment in Time which is about time travel and love. I hope to keep writing as long as I can."
Proceeds from the book will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation in the U.S. to help others with the same condition.
