To All The Boys I've Loved - Before [exclusive]

Jenny Han, who is Korean American, imbued Lara Jean with her own heritage, making the Covey family one of the first mainstream Asian American families at the center of a young adult romance. The story normalizes a mixed-race household (the girls’ mother was Korean, their father white) without making their ethnicity the plot. Lara Jean’s Korean heritage is present in the food (her yukgaejang soup, her love of shikhye ), the traditions, and the deep respect for her father. For millions of young readers, seeing a heroine who looks like them fall in love on her own terms was revolutionary. When Netflix released the film adaptation in August 2018, starring Lana Condor as Lara Jean and Noah Centineo as Peter Kavinsky, the story reached a stratosphere of pop culture fame. Directed by Susan Johnson, the film perfectly translated the book’s warmth and humor.

For every boy she has ever truly loved, Lara Jean pens a goodbye letter. These are not meant to be sent. They are therapeutic exercises—a way to pour her unrequited feelings onto paper and seal them away in a teal hatbox given to her by her late mother. The recipients include: Peter Kavinsky (her former seventh-grade crush and current heartthrob), Lucas (her middle-school friend who is gay), John Ambrose McClaren (the boy from Model UN who wore sweater vests), and Josh Sanderson (her older sister’s ex-boyfriend and her first real crush). to all the boys i've loved before

Lana Condor’s performance was a revelation. She brought a physical vulnerability to Lara Jean—the way she fidgets, avoids eye contact, and speaks in a soft, breathy tone—that made every emotional beat land. Noah Centineo, as Peter, shed his typical jock persona to reveal a boy who is sweet, emotionally intelligent, and surprisingly loyal. Their chemistry was undeniable, turning the iconic hot tub scene, the cafeteria kiss, and the “I’m not a player, you’re just confused” exchange into instantly classic rom-com moments. Jenny Han, who is Korean American, imbued Lara