Stand Up, Yumi Chung! (Book Review). 3 Read Reasons: Parents, Role Models, Jokes!

When I started this blog, my friend recommended Stand Up, Yumi Chung by Jessica Kim. I was intrigued. It’s the first time I had seen a tween book about a Korean-American girl that wasn’t about immigrating. 

After reading it, I was excited to share my favorite parts of the story with my friend. But she hadn’t read it all yet. So, why did she recommend it to me? Ha. 

Fortunately, I did read it all and happy to share. Read my review to see if you’d enjoy it, too!

Summary

Stand Up, Yumi Chung by Jessica Kim is about 11-year-old Yumi, an aspiring comedian. Yumi’s parents are not supportive of Yumi’s pursuit of the performing arts, not even hobbies.

Already a shy girl, Yumi surrenders her dreams to be hidden as a secret passion. She doubts she’d ever be able to get on stage anyway. But, Yumi’s insecurities don’t stop her from practicing daily, writing jokes, and “studying” religiously by watching the best stand-ups.

Then, unexpectedly an opportunity pops up to join a comedy camp taught by her favorite YouTube comedian. Right in her neighborhood! Assuming her parents would disapprove, Yumi finds a way to sneak into the camp.

In her daring plan, Yumi struggles to keep the facade at home and with her friends. As Yumi faces the consequences of her mistakes, she’s still determined to make her parents understand.

Yumi loves her parents. They work hard to afford the best education far beyond their means for Yumi and her sister. Though Yumi doesn’t feel the same, she understands their emphasis on academics.

Yumi is burdened in making her parents understand that even though her dreams are different, she still loves and appreciates all they do for the family.

Why Read It

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim is for reading ages 8 – 11. But, the story is for all ages with important life lessons I share here:

1. Relatable Story of Both Loving and Resenting Parents 

The book is light and funny; no complicated storyline. The strength of the book is the relatability of the characters and their relationships. There was one scene between Yumi and her dad that made me teary. Like Yumi, I remember those feelings of both loving and resenting my parents. I wanted to badly but didn’t know how to communicate, that even if my dreams were different, I’m still deeply grateful for my parents’ love. 

Yumi’s dad reminded me of my own dad. As conservative and strict as my dad was, he was a definite dreamer. It’s the reason he moved to America in the first place – following a bigger dream than what he saw in Korea. 

2. Importance of Role Models

Yumi had a passion fueled by the work of her comedic idol, Jasmine Jasper. There’s that saying never to meet your idols. Fortunately, Jasmine was caring and a good teacher.

As a teenager, I didn’t relate to the Asians around me or Asian celebrities, mostly because there wasn’t a lot. Not that my role model had to be Asian or Korean, but I think it would have helped. One of the reasons it took me so long to find what I wanted to do was because of the lack of role models in my life.

Now I am proud to say I have many role models and mentors who regularly support me and open my eyes. Even in the arts, I am so happy my kids will have so much to relate to than I did. Yumi Chung is one of them!

3. Jokes!

It’s not a surprise why I like this book so much. I love comedy. Sitcoms are my favorite. I re-watch shows that are decades old over and over again. I still laugh out loud at the jokes as if I heard them for the first time.

I teeny weeny dream to be a comedian or comedic writer. I like to tell stories and make people laugh. It was fun for me to live vicariously through Yumi Chung. 

In an interview with Jessica Kim, I read that she researched and studied joke structure and stand-up comedy to writing some of the scenes. When I was growing up, one of the few Korean-American celebrities was Margaret Cho. I wonder if maybe she was an inspiration. Maybe one day I’ll get to ask the author!

Related Titles!

Thank you for reading my book review! Stand up, Yumi Chung! is part of my Book List “About Korean-American Girls.” Check my other book reviews:

• • The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
  • Danbi Leads the School Parade by Anna Kim
  • No Kimchi for Me! by Aram Kim