
Written by emerging avant-garde theorist and cultural critic, Wallea Eaglehawk, this cross-genre book explores the phenomenal relationship between K-pop group BTS and their fandom, ARMY. Eaglehawk delves deep into the socially constructed, intimate relationships between South Korean idols and their fans to contextualise her transformative, revolutionary theory of idol limerence.
Eaglehawk builds on Dorothy Tennov's psychological concept of limerence, an all-consuming love and emotional attachment to another person. With the introduction and theorising of the self-reflexive, socially constructed idol persona, Eaglehawk brings limerence into the 21st century and places it in the realms of social studies for the first time. Within the theory of idol limerence lies the answers for how relationships with idols are formed and maintained, and also the transformational and revolutionary capacity of fandoms around the world.
Teamed with her groundbreaking research and theorising is the fictitious narrative of Echo, a young millennial woman who finds herself falling in love with BTS from across the vastness of the internet. This book seamlessly weaves social theory and a love story which spans this universe, and the next. Idol Limerence is bridging the gap between scholarly and general audiences with a book of introspection, healing and universal experiences. This book provides a study of the microcosm of humankind with the relationship between Echo and BTS leader, RM, who guides her through exploring the inner workings of her psyche to the beat of a BTS song.
"I do not say this lightly - this book will change your life.
Discover and understand the term 'limerence' and illuminate the core wounds and misconceptions that were formed in your youth. [...] A guide to personal healing, a romance novel, an idol dedication, a book filled with references to important psychologists and their ever relevant concepts." -- Cate Robbins
"This book had me hooked from beginning to end. I was curious how relatable it would be, not personally being a fan of BTS. But I was surprised to find it struck a lot of chords. It had me thinking even when I wasn't reading. Emotional connection, social concepts, love and revolution; written about in an incredibly provoking way. Eaglehawk lightens the heavy conceptual content by intertwining a fictional narrative to illustrate her points." -- Sionell Urlich
"I didn't know I needed this book, it was like someone was writing my own mind back at me and suddenly so many things made sense about a lot of doubts, feelings, insecurities I was having with the internal conflict that came with falling madly in love with a group of men I would likely never meet." Yessenia Herrera