ELLE recently interviewed bestselling author Jenny Han, known for the popular book series To All the Boys I've Loved Before and The Summer I Turned Pretty. Han has also adapted these works for the screen, serving as executive producer of the To All the Boys film trilogy and the spin-off series XO, Kitty, as well as the showrunner for the adaptation of The Summer I Turned Pretty. The third and final season of the latter premiered this month on Prime Video, garnering 25 million views globally in just one week.
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Despite the conclusion of this series, Han has multiple projects underway, thanks to an overall deal with Amazon Studios, which includes another season of XO, Kitty. She emphasizes the importance of flawed characters finding love, a theme prevalent in her work. Han highlights the significance of representation, noting that her stories center around Asian American young women, marking a shift in the landscape of romantic comedies.
During the interview, Han shared details about her career beginnings, revealing that her first official job was as a server at Olive Garden. She described her skills as a server, saying she thrived with one or two tables but struggled with more. Her first order was chicken Alfredo with spinach, paired with raspberry lemonade.
Han recounted her worst job while attending grad school for her master's in creative writing, where she worked temporary office jobs. She admitted to avoiding claiming proficiency in Excel to dodge complex tasks, resulting in a low hourly wage.
Discussing her writing process, Han explained that she does not write novels in order but prefers to explore whatever excites her in the moment. This approach helps her compile scenes and create a cohesive story when drafting.
She contrasted writing novels with filmmaking, noting that filmmaking is collaborative, drawing on various expertise to enrich the project, whereas novel writing is solitary and all-encompassing.
Reflecting on her career, Han expressed pride when she connects with her audience. Her storytelling focuses on the authentic experiences of young people, treating their struggles with the same weight as adult experiences.
Han also mentioned her close relationships with her cast members from The Summer I Turned Pretty, citing their collaboration during long hours on set in Wilmington, North Carolina.
On online criticism of her cast, Han stated her protectiveness over them and reminded fans of the humanity behind the characters they portray. She also appreciates the positive engagement from fans, particularly those who host watch parties and create entertaining content around the show.
Looking ahead, Han is developing new movies and a series, although specifics are still under wraps. She aims for viewers to take away the message that everyone is human and deserving of love, regardless of mistakes.