Delve deep into the phenomena surrounding K-pop group BTS and their fan base, ARMY, with sociologist and metaphysicist Wallea Eaglehawk. Eaglehawk weaves years worth of research with a heartbreaking, thrilling literary journey of protagonist, Echo, to show her groundbreaking social theory of Idol Limerence. This is a journey through time and space unlike any other, showing the true power of music and fandom.
★★★★★
With each thundering beat of her heart Echo travelled through time and space in the direction of RM. As if the classroom where he stood grew larger, and larger, and larger, until its walls stretched out from the screen and hurtled past Echo's head.
Their eyes met across the internet.
He blinked.
She blinked.
★★★★★
Echo is in love. He's tall, he's dark, he's handsome, and he doesn't know her name. Yet they meet, they talk and they travel through time and space together with each music video release.
He is RM, the leader of Korean group BTS, and she is Echo, one of many millions of fans of BTS, otherwise known as ARMY. Explore the powerful connection between idol and fan that manifests as a loving relationship; this is idol limerence. The intersection of art and capitalism, love and identity, ambiguity and revolution.
From watching fireworks over the Moulin Rouge to unpacking a lifetime of personas; Echo is led by RM through time and space to explore the unique connection between them as idol and fan. RM encourages Echo to delve deeper into the phenomena surrounding BTS and ARMY.
Everywhere Echo turns, RM is there, whether she likes it or not. Echo grapples with her own madness as she is driven to the brink of despair from the one-sided love affair. This is her fate as a fan, always on the shore breathing in the place of the idol who is drowning for the delight of the world.
The binary that traps them both is the one that can set them free; insperence is where this happens, and becoming a revolutionary is the call both Echo and RM must answer to save themselves and the world.
