I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Seoul Shadows
by Yuna Lim
Series: Cipher Seoul Trilogy #1
Series Rating:
Published by Independently Published on February 27, 2025
Setting: Seoul, South Korea
Genres: YA Mystery
Pages: 189
Format: Kindle, Paperback
Source: the Author
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Seventeen-year-old Kim Ji-soo has spent five years believing her father was nothing more than a boring government clerk who died in an accident. But when she discovers a mysterious coded card hidden in his vinyl record collection, followed by a suspicious break-in at her apartment, Ji-soo's ordinary high school life shatters.
With the help of Min-ho, a secretive new transfer student with uncanny skills, and her best friend Yuna, whose family restaurant hides underground connections, Ji-soo decodes her father's messages hidden in music. What she uncovers is devastating: her father was an intelligence agent who was murdered for discovering a vast conspiracy using K-pop choreography to transmit covert operational codes.
As Ji-soo infiltrates the glittering world of Korean entertainment to find proof, she becomes the target of Director Jung, the powerful intelligence chief behind her father's death. When Eclipse, Korea's hottest boy group, gets caught in the crossfire, Ji-soo must convince their leader that they're being used as unwitting pawns in a dangerous game.
Racing against time and pursued by deadly operatives, Ji-soo must navigate a web of deception where nothing is as it seems—not the entertainment industry, not the government she once trusted, and not even the quiet classmate who harbors his own vendetta against the conspiracy. With her father's encoded notebook as her guide, Ji-soo must expose the truth before she becomes the next victim of a conspiracy that moves to the rhythm of K-pop's perfectly synchronized choreography.
In a city where secrets pulse beneath the neon surface, the key to survival might just be hidden in plain sight—in the precise movements of a dance that millions watch but only few truly see.
Seoul Shadows by Yuna Lim follows Ji-soo, Yuna, and Min-ho as they uncover a secret that has been waiting for five years to be unveiled.
Will Ji-soo clear her father’s name?
Kim Ji-soo
Our main protagonist is Kim Ji-soo. She’s in high school and just discovered that her father had a secret life that she’s just now uncovering. Ji-soo is completing her father’s work on uncovering the origins of an operation that utilizes K-pop for more than just entertainment purposes. I love her. She’s a great character. The main thing I admire about her is how she has evolved from simply living her day to seeking justice for her father and now wanting to help everyone who has been exploited without their knowledge. Ji-soo is an awesome character and one that I was rooting for from the beginning.
Choi Yuna
Choi Yuna, Ji-soo’s best friend, has connections that Ji-soo needs to complete her mystery mission. Yuna is a great friend since she can anticipate what Ji-soo needs when she needs to go do something. I love Yuna and Ji-soo’s friendship because they are great friends who will do anything for each other.
Park Min-ho
Park Min-ho is a new student from America at the high school that both Ji-soo and Yuna attend. Min-ho befriends Yuna and Ji-soo along the way of helping Ji-soo clear her dad’s name. I like Min-ho and how he slowly lets his guard down around the two girls, especially Ji-soo.
The Mystery
After five years of thinking that her dad died from an accident at his job as a government clerk, Kim Ji-soo starts to uncover that her dad had a secret life. A secret life brings Ji-soo, Yuna, and Min-ho together as they discover clues that lead them to a K-pop group using dance routines to send secret messages. Can Ji-soo clear her dad’s name and help get Eclipse out of the thumb that is using them?
Five Stars
My rating for Seoul Shadows by Yuna Lim is five stars. I am recommending this as Ms. Lim is a fantastic author who had me hooked from the very beginning of the story. Ms. Lim has a great way of storytelling that made me want to continue reading, even if I had to stop to attend to life’s other responsibilities. I’m really looking forward to reading the second and third books in this trilogy!
Cipher Seoul Trilogy
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Seoul Shadows by Yuna Lim.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
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About Yuna Lim
An accomplished author, Yuna Lim is a 48-year-old woman who embraces life with passion and purpose. As a mother of two, she has traveled extensively around the world, immersing herself in diverse cultures and experiences that shape her writing. Yuna does not confine herself to a single identity; instead, she lives by her values and morals, which serve as the foundation of her work.
With a lifelong career as an executive assistant, Yuna has cultivated a deep appreciation for the people she has worked with, navigating the highs and lows of professional life. Her journey has been enriched by her love for food, music, and the vibrant cultures she encounters. Among her greatest comforts and inspirations is the globally renowned K-pop group BTS, whose music has guided her through challenging times.
Yuna’s writing reflects her multifaceted life—exploring themes of Korean culture, the influence of BTS, and leadership insights drawn from her extensive experience in the corporate world. Through her stories, she aims to connect with readers on a personal level, sharing the lessons learned from her adventures and the wisdom gained from her career.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2025 Alphabet Soup-Author Edition-RC
- 2025 Goodreads RC
- 2025 Romance Book Reading Challenge
- 2025 Traveling the World
- 2025 Young Adult Book RC
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