Romance

Review: The Mochi Promise by R J Greyta

January 27, 2026

Synopsis:

A childhood promise. A second chance. A K-drama romance about love that refuses to fade.

Years ago in Seoul, awkward, blonde-haired Ted shared mochi, secrets, and shy smiles with the girl next door, Soo-ah. Their tiny mochi promise—to never forget each other—became the quiet anchor of his childhood. But when his family moved back to London, that cross-cultural love story ended before it truly began.

Now he’s back in Seoul as a struggling music producer, stumbling through Korean phrases and long-distance memories. And Soo-ah? She’s one of Korea’s brightest K-pop stars—loved, envied, and endlessly watched. Her world is a whirlwind of idol contracts, curated perfection, and the kind of fame that makes real romance impossible.

Ted shouldn’t still recognise the girl beneath the spotlight. Soo-ah shouldn’t still melt when she hears his laugh. Yet when they meet again, everything clicks—warm, familiar, dangerously electric.

But in the K-drama world of obsessive fans, zero privacy, strict image rules, and the ever-present threat of scandal, even a whisper of affection can end a career. A single glance. A shared moment. A reunion caught on camera.

Their second-chance K-pop romance might cost Soo-ah everything she’s worked for. Still, they hold onto that small, sticky-sweet promise from years ago—a vow that asks quietly: if love returns, can they choose it?

This is a clean, wholesome K-pop romance book about long-distance hearts, cross-cultural love, and a story that feels like your favourite K-drama brought to life.

The question isn’t whether they still love each other—it’s whether the world will let them.

Review:

This is far from a typical love story, and that’s precisely what makes it compelling. We first meet Ted and his family as they prepare to relocate from England to Seoul. Ted, who has ADHD (a detail mentioned early on but one I wish had been explored more deeply), struggles with bullying at school. He hopes the move will bring a fresh start and a sense of belonging. Yet, in this unfamiliar country, he remains an outsider, and the bullying persists, albeit for different reasons.

Enter Soo-ah. Through her efforts to help Ted feel at home and learn the language, a bond begins to form,a friendship that evolves into something rare and meaningful, though not easily accepted by those around them. Korea’s rigid societal expectations loom large, and both characters navigate their own challenges within this cultural framework. When Soo-ah seizes the opportunity to train as a K-Pop star, Ted stands unwaveringly by her side. Their connection endures despite physical separation during her demanding training phase, a testament to their mutual trust and support.

As Ted faces the prospect of returning to England and Soo-ah moves closer to realising her dreams, their relationship is tested like never before. This is a story about friendship blossoming into something deeper, about resilience, loyalty, and the delicate balance between meeting external expectations and remaining true to oneself.

The narrative beautifully captures the intimacy of their connection while allowing each character to shine independently. It’s a beautiful story, that had me rooting for them until the very end and will linger in my memory as something truly different.

🌙 Recension: The Mochi Promise by R J Greyta
📚 Genre: Romance
📅 Release Date: ‎November 11, 2025
📗 included in Kindle Unlimited
📱 Read as: Kindle
💸 Bought
🗣️ Language: English
📆 Pages: 362
⭐️ 5/5