In Unscripted, Sujin Witherspoon uses the high-stakes world of reality competition shows as the backdrop for a story about love, vulnerability, and self-discovery. In this interview, the author reflects on building Seyoon and Dean’s dynamic, embracing beloved romance tropes in a fresh way, and portraying Korean characters with authenticity rather than stereotype.
Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted blends elements of reality shows like Love Island and Survivor. Where did the idea of combining romance and competition in such an intense setting come from?
I grew up watching competition shows like Wipe Out and Survivor, and I always enjoy blending multimedium elements into my young adult novels, so I thought it’d be a fun challenge to write a book that felt like watching a season of reality television. Romance is one of my favorite genres to write about, but the circumstances of cutthroat competition don’t necessarily lend themselves well to a blossoming love, right? That’s exactly why I wanted to give it a shot: when the stakes are so high, choosing each other over the prize means that much more. It’s a story that demonstrates how some things, like love, are more important than winning.
Seyoon is a driven character, but she’s also shaped by insecurities and family struggles. What were you most interested in exploring emotionally through her?
Seyoon is one of my favorite characters I’ve written because she holds so many contradicting beliefs, like many of us do. She wants to win more than anything, but she also values being seen as a good teammate; she doesn’t hold other people to their worst days, but she’s extremely hard on herself. I was really interested in exploring the mental dissonance she has, and how she portrays herself to other people doesn’t match what she’s really feeling. She plays up her confidence so much because she actually feels deeply insecure about not being good enough; something Dean can recognize and resonate with.
The relationship between Seyoon and Dean begins as a strategy within the game. How did you approach building that dynamic between “fake dating” and real feelings?
One of the greatest joys of writing a romance story is putting characters at direct odds with each other and figuring out how to make them overcome their differences. Initially rivals in competition, Seyoon and Dean recognize complimentary strengths in each other that lead to an alliance and ultimately, a true friendship. The basis of all compelling romances is mutual respect, but especially so in situations where the characters are rivals; the respect is earned from the ground-up. Fake dating is an excellent way to force characters into each others’ orbits, to have them figure out where the line between what they’re pretending to feel and what they’re actually feeling is. I really wanted their dynamic to feel hard-earned and satisfying when they realize this person they’re supposed to be in competition with is actually someone they want to play side by side with.
The book incorporates beloved tropes like enemies to lovers, fake dating, and forced proximity. How did you balance these elements while still making the story feel fresh?
I think a lot of people equate ‘tropes’ with ‘cliche,’ but I’d argue that’s not true. Tropes are beloved genre conventions that become so often used because readers enjoy them. No one iteration of the enemies to lovers trope is ever going to be done the same way, so I think there’s always a layer of freshness to them when approached by authors of unique backgrounds.
In this novel, I incorporated my favorite tropes because I’m a reader first and foremost, and it’s what I wanted to see. When you lead a story with a high-concept premise and a fleshed-out plot, tropes become the table dressing instead of the meal.
You’ve said you’re drawn to stories that range from humor to emotional discomfort. How did you find that balance in this narrative?
By leading with humor and lightheartedness, you set the stage for hard-hitting emotional beats to hopefully resonate more powerfully. This novel is, at its heart, fun. It has a cast of eclectic characters, wild challenges, and plenty of awkward, laugh-out-loud moments. But I also wanted to tackle important themes like family trauma, the vulnerability of falling in love, and how painful it can be to find yourself (especially when the whole world is literally watching!)
The moments of levity don’t detract from the serious moments; they provide important contrast for them. When you’re laughing, you’ll need to catch your breath at some point. It’s in those brief, quiet moments that the story’s emotional core surges forward with almost painful sincerity.
As a Korean-American author, multicultural representation is naturally present in your work. How important is that aspect to you when telling stories?
So important! I didn’t see a lot of books with Korean characters in them growing up, much less mixed and multiracial Korean characters. I’m honored to be one of the Korean authors bringing them to the page now for teens to see themselves in.
Something that’s especially crucial for me is to have Korean characters exist on the page as they are, and not try to fit them into (or against) stereotypical molds. Seyoon is an aggressive, competitive, and confident player; not because she’s fighting against the racist stereotype of the meek Asian girl; but just because that’s who she is.
The Korean-American diaspora is not a monolith that can be demonstrated by any one story or character. I aim to represent just an individual experience from within that community, and hope that somebody out there can resonate with it.
Looking ahead, what kinds of stories are you most excited to explore next — more romance, or something in a different genre?
I will probably always be writing romance of some sort in the young adult space–it’s such a fun age range to explore first loves and big feelings! But I also love thrillers and horror books that make my heart work overtime.
My next novel combines both of these elements. It’s a young adult sapphic romcom-thriller called Scream, Queen! that will be out in fall 2027.
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