Book Description

When an idol and fan stand face to face and the idol's mask comes off, is it simply the fan staring into a mirror, admiring their own reflection? Idol Limerence explores the mass phenomena of the Korean idol, in particular, BTS and how it intersects with the psychological experience of limerence, as originated by Dorothy Tennov. Further phenomena will be introduced with an exploration of persona as a link to a fantasy realm accessed by both idol and fan. Culminating in the exploration of the revolutionary capacity of BTS and their fan base, ARMY, who were created in their image. Echo's narrative spans from her first love as a child to falling in love with BTS as an adult, an experience she feels is largely out of her control. Idol Limerence is a love story wrapped in social theory that spans this universe and the next. Insperence is the space where the revolution can begin to take hold; insperence is where we can all become revolutionaries. In many ways, we already are.Idol Limerence: The Art of Loving BTS as Phenomena by Wallea Eaglehawk is a scholarly and literary work on the phenomenon that is BTS, the most popular and influential music group of our generation. Idol Limerence is a cognitive and emotional state of loving adoration and attachment to an Idol or celebrity. Echo, a young millennial woman, finds herself falling deeply in love with a group of blouse-wearing Korean men who sing, dance and dish out uncommon potent eye contact like it's a period drama. This book joins Echo on her journey from first love as a child to falling in love with K-pop group BTS as an adult. Echo learns just how and why she can't control her feelings towards BTS, not that she really wants to; and this is not an isolated experience, she is not alone but part of BTS' fan base, ARMY. The theory of Idol Limerence is developed from the psychological idea of limerence and linked to sociological concepts of identity, persona, parasocial relationships, love and celebrity. The theory development is interwoven with the love narrative of Echo which shows how Idol Limerence can be a 'safe-love' alternative for millennials overwhelmed by loving and dating in a world on the brink of collapse. If the question is 'Why can't I stop thinking about what my life with BTS would look like?' Idol Limerence is the answer and becoming a revolutionary to save the world is the result.