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| Image courtesy of The BTS Theorist |
The ARMY fandom exists on many levels, and the person I’m speaking with today has an incredibly in-depth, intricate, and well-spoken way of describing not just boys but also the fandom itself and how we relate to idols as a whole.
What’s interesting is that her writing has a philosophical quality that is both thoughtful and reflective. Flirting between fairy tale storytelling weaved with a deeper exploration into how we all think and feel. One interesting concept she navigates wonderfully is the theory of limerence, a term perhaps often associated with romantic infatuation, which when applied to idols as a whole is even more poignant. Having written plenty of thoroughly researched books, including Idol Limerence: The Art of Loving BTS as Phenomena, the theories on the fandom and the industry are fascinating reads. They’re not only compelling to those in the purple world but also to those outside looking in, who perhaps are curious or want to understand just what makes BTS and ARMY not only powerful but also a force to be reckoned with.
Not afraid to ask thought-provoking – and at times, uncomfortable – questions, it's akin to holding up a reflective mirror to ourselves. These kinds of pieces are not only interesting but necessary, as they make one think about what our relationship with the boys is but also to be an ARMY. We must never be afraid to have conversations that challenge our critical thinking outside the realms of social media. Of course ARMY are naturally defensive, and rightfully so, given the past scathing attacks online. But it’s valuable to have engaging discussions and get our brains thinking about our relationship with not just the boys but each other. We should always be open-minded and up for listening to diverse perspectives. Even if we may not always agree, we are a fandom who are great thinkers and creatives who are mature enough to navigate meaning, curiosity and understanding.
If you’re someone who enjoys learning about yourself and your behaviours, then Wallea Eaglehawk, the brains behind The BTS Theorist, is sure to get your brain thinking. For those who love essay-style writing and well-researched papers, we have a wonderful writer and a pleasure to have on KpopWise today.
You have quite an extensive and impressive portfolio, with numerous books and essays to your name. So let's start at the beginning. Have you always seen yourself as a writer? You’ve mentioned that you used to enjoy fiction writing before transitioning to nonfiction.
Wallea: I have always wanted to be a writer. I vividly remember writing my first short story when I was six years old. I cut my teeth writing fanfiction about The Used when I was 13, then about One Direction when I was 19. I spent many years during university writing a sociological-slash-memoir-style book about Harry Styles. But it wasn’t until I was 26 that I went all in on my pursuit of becoming a published writer. At that point, I had sold my vegan deli so that I could dedicate an entire year to getting published. I was writing a fiction book about a dystopian regional town where everyone had useless superpowers. Around that time I found BTS and started writing nonfiction about them, drawing from the research and writing I had done on Harry Styles and One Direction. I haven’t looked back since.
What advice would you give to people who read your books or Substack pieces and feel inspired to write themselves but lack confidence or are perhaps too scared to publish their work?
Wallea: Start small. When I was very sick and could no longer write, I focused on poetry–just a few lines about my day. When I wanted to return to writing but didn’t have the confidence anymore, I started with writing a daily log. I wrote everything that happened in my day. I did this for over a year without missing a single day. My advice is to write, even if it’s small, even if you think it sucks. Then show someone. Show more people. Write and put it somewhere random online, forget about it and keep writing. Send your writing in an email to me. I’ll put it in a folder and save it for you. Just write. I know it seems more difficult than that, but it also can be that simple. Sit down and write.
For those of us who write, writer's block can strike at any time. How do you personally go on to deal with it? Are there any methods you put into practice to get out of the rut?
Wallea: I don’t get writer’s block anymore. I’d hate to jinx myself by saying that, but it’s true. That’s because I approach writing like a muscle. I am disciplined. I am privileged enough to dedicate entire days, if not weeks, to writing. I map out my week in advance and block out dedicated time for writing. But not just the writing part of writing, the thinking, the planning and preparation, and the research. I understand my process and my workflow so intimately that I can identify roadblocks and attempt to remove them ahead of time.
Of course, I am merely human, and not every day is perfect. I see the days when I want to watch Netflix or when I get called away on another project as writing–self-care, making money, spending time with friends and family; this is all writer business. Why? Because I am a writer, and this is everything that it takes to maintain my life. And also, you need material to write about. So if you’re not writing, live. I think RM was quoting someone famous in response to this question once–if you’ve got writer’s block, go to bed, take a bath, or catch a bus. (Probably mincing the quote here). But it’s true. If you’re stuck, move. Nothing can be achieved by sitting in it. Write something else, go somewhere else, do something.
You’ve written several fantastic books; let's go to the first one that was published. How did that come about, and what part of the process do you find to be the hardest? And out of them all, which one are you most proud of?
Wallea: My first book was Idol Limerence: The Art of Loving BTS as Phenomena. I wrote this book in 2019 after finding BTS. I discovered them in January through their song IDOL, and it reignited my search for the right words to conceptualise a social theory I had been working on since 2012. I was interested in looking at what people called ‘obsessive’ fan behaviour–but I knew it to be something more. In 2015 I came across Dorothy Tennov’s idea of limerence, which refers to a single-sided, unrequited love-type relationship between two people. I was interested in applying this idea to celebrity musicians (and by extension, all celebrities/personas).
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| Image courtesy of The BTS Theorist |
When I saw how BTS used the concept of idol and, through them, how K-pop built and maintained idols, I started working on the theory of idol limerence. So that’s how I came to write my first book. The writing part was daunting and, at the time, the hardest part. But actually the hardest part was trying to get it published, and then after that, marketing. To this day the hardest part about publishing books is marketing. I’m most proud of Idol Limerence because it was my first and also because it remains my most experimental and daring work–warts and all.
Following on from that, you founded your own publishing house, Revolutionaries, in 2020. It’s clear that you are very good at creating your own opportunities and just going for it. Where does that drive and determination come from? And what advice would you give to others who are on a similar path who might be struggling to keep that same momentum up or even lack self-belief?
Wallea: I started Revolutionaries because no one would publish my book. The feedback that I got from editors was that the book was great, but they were unsure how to market it as BTS were ‘niche’. In 2019 I had also worked on an academic book that was published by Routledge, through this I came to know the publication process intimately. So, at the start of 2020, when I had a completed manuscript and nowhere to publish it, I decided to do it myself. I think this ability to create opportunities comes from the lack of opportunities that have been presented to me throughout my life. Even now, I am looked down on by institutions–first for writing about fandom and second for ”self-publishing". I was raised by an incredible single mum who also had to create her own opportunities–pulling herself up from poverty to a long-lasting academic career. She has always believed in me and has shown me that when people say no, just do it anyway. So that’s what I did.
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| Image courtesy of The BTS Theorist |
My advice to anyone trying to get published or perhaps struggling with self-belief is to build a community. The key to success is community and connection. Find a writing club, go to networking events, and DM your favourite artist on Instagram. Listen to podcasts about creatives you look up to, study their stories and learn from them. In the moments when I didn’t believe in myself, my mum did, my partner did, and my friends did. And when I couldn’t feel that belief, my discipline carried me over the line. I don’t have to believe in myself to show up and write. I don’t have to believe in myself to push the buttons that publish books. I just have to do it–self-belief often comes after.
How do you decide on what topics to explore in regard to fandom culture? You balance a tightrope of fun and light topics with the more complex or darker themes that sometimes can stir strong emotions.
Wallea: This might get a bit metaphysical or esoteric for a moment, but the best way I can explain this is through something called human design. It’s similar to astrology in that it calculates information based on your date and time of birth. There are human design ‘profiles’ that explain different aspects of your energy and patterns. I am a generator, which means I can generate the energy of the sun–working all hours of the day passionately and creatively, producing good quality work–but only in response to something.
All of my work is in response to what I see in the fandom. Maybe it’s a comment I get–like the other day someone told me that you can’t have a bias and be OT7, so I wrote a post about it. I do a lot of social listening, watching stories, reading threads, and having conversations. Everything I explore comes directly from my experience. Even if it’s me writing about someone else’s experience, it’s something I’ve seen for myself first-hand. I am not separate as traditional research methods might demand. Rather, I am a participant, an equal, a fan.
With the aforementioned topics, what makes you want to cover those specific themes?
Wallea: My sociological background heavily influences what I write about. As a sociologist, a feminist, and a Marxist, I am interested in the power dynamics within fandom. The K-pop industry is highly capitalistic–as are all media industries. Fandoms are highly profitable spaces where idols’ emotional labour is commodified and monetised. I hold a strong critique of these systems and how they can oppress both us–the fans–and the idols themselves.
But of course, fandoms are more than just ‘cash cows’; they’re living, breathing ecosystems that are complex and have many micro power dynamics between fans, fans and idols, fans and companies, fans and other fandoms, and so on. These are complex and nuanced topics to talk about, it can be fraught with danger too, as it’s easy to misinterpret what I’m saying as a critique or insult of beloved idols. But someone has to say these things to help fans contextualise their personal experiences as part of a bigger cultural phenomenon.
Being a fan of BTS, how would you describe your personal relationship towards them? As a fan, critic, or cultural commentator? How has it changed over time?
Wallea: When I first became a fan, I was completely absorbed in BTS’ world. Day in and out, all I could think about and focus on was BTS. This lasted a good few years. They were my friends, my romantic interests, and my safe space to dream and play. But also they were constantly agitating me–not them per se, but the BTS I had constructed in my mind. I wanted my work to be seen, and I wanted to have an audience and a bigger meaning. I wanted a small fraction of what they had. I was very sick at the time. So while they were travelling the world, reaching new heights of fame, I was stuck in bed wishing they could see me and alleviate the pain of my suffering.
In more recent years, we are more distant friends. The kind you see every month or so and have a long, deep conversation with. The kind you can pick back up right where you left off with. This was, once again, because I was sick and undergoing major surgery. I needed some distance from BTS and the fandom (and quite literally everything in my life), so I took it. This year, though, I’m back, just in time for their return.
Encouraging people to think more about their own relationship with the group and their music is a perspective we don’t see explored often in fandom spaces. What made you want to write about the more philosophical or more academic side of BTS and their impact?
Wallea: One of my strengths is being able to see patterns and threads that others might not. When I encountered BTS, I knew I was encountering a phenomenon unlike any other. I wanted to give this language, I wanted to try and explain the multi-dimensional force that is BTS. Showing how they are created and maintained through socio-cultural-political lenses is one way of placing BTS in a global and historically significant context… one that can’t be readily dismissed as trivial.
Your latest book, Idol Limerence: The Art of Loving BTS as Phenomena, explores the relationship between the group and the fandom. What made you want to explore the concept of limerence in the context of idols and fandom? Many people might associate the term with dating scenarios, but your essay series has been deeply intriguing; it captures the same emotions and adrenaline rush that often comes with being a fan. What drew you to that connection?
Wallea: The reason I write about idol limerence is because I have experienced it firsthand. Upon first seeing BTS, I was drawn to RM. I couldn’t stop thinking about him, even when I wanted to. I constructed scenarios where we would meet and fall in love. I didn’t want these scenarios to play out in my mind all day, every day, but they did. I wanted to understand why this was happening.
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| Image courtesy of The BTS Theorist |
Sometimes I enjoyed it, others I felt haunted by it. Idol Limerence is a creative autoethnography–I have written it loosely on my experience of falling in love with BTS and RM. I lived it, large parts of it anyway. It was my own torment over idol limerence that led to the creation of the book. I no longer feel the same way now, and I can see a lot of my experience was due to my chronic illness–I needed something bigger to hold on to, something to help me escape. Now that I’m out the other side, I want to keep writing about it so others know they’re not alone.
What do you love most about ARMY as a community? And is there a particular memory or moment as ARMY that is special to you?
Wallea: ARMY is so enthusiastic and dedicated. In a world where social media seems to be tearing us apart, ARMY is a space where people come together–in large part thanks to platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X. ARMY are devoted, almost ritualistically. I think that’s powerful. My favourite ARMY memory is when my friend and I–who I met through an ARMY book club–flew to South Korea and went to see BTS in Busan in 2022. The whole city was purple and alive with ARMY. It was phenomenal.
Given the history of online criticism or media scrutiny directed at the boys and fandom, do you think that sometimes leads ARMY to being more defensive and protective? Can you understand the need to protect against the media and where it comes from?
Wallea: I have two responses for this. The first comes from the ARMY side of me. Yes, ARMY needs to be protective and defensive of BTS. We have fought long and hard for BTS to get legitimacy, especially in the West. This was achieved in large part through ARMY’s tireless efforts both advocating for BTS and defending them. The second response is a more scholarly one (though the ARMY and the scholar in me are one and the same). I’m not sure if we are at the point of needing to defend BTS as much anymore. They’ve made it. Yes, absolutely, stand up for injustice. However, there are many times that ARMY can go overboard in pursuit of ‘justice’ to the extent it seems more vindictive. I especially see this when fans attack other fans for seemingly saying the “wrong” thing. This has happened to me, I’ve got a friend who was doxxed for it too. The ‘defend BTS at all costs’ narrative ultimately serves one purpose–fandom cohesion. ARMY needs someone to (metaphorically) fight against, a bigger purpose, a reason for logging on every day. When there is a common enemy, the fandom grows stronger, and as such, so does support for BTS.
There’s nothing wrong with this per se, it can be found throughout every fandom and many communities–have you seen your local community Facebook group? Mine is simultaneously riling against the government, local thieves, cloud seeding, and everyone who dares to critique the admins. It becomes dangerous when ARMY crosses the line, though. That’s definitely something we can get better with as a fandom. Knowing when to stop.
I myself have been struck by your words, and I think it’s always good to sit and question our own personal relationship with regards to being in the fandom and what that looks like to us. For you, how do you see your own connection to the fandom and the group?
Wallea: This is a tough one for me. My role as an aca-fan-influencer is complex. I see a lot of the more toxic side of fandom–especially when people try to cancel me. I can find it hard to be directly involved in a lot of fan activities–I much prefer to observe from the periphery or participate in different ways–set the tone for my own experience. I’m not the stereotypical fan in that respect, although I know I am not alone in this experience. I have been in the fandom so long now that it’s an extension of me. The same goes for BTS. That makes it hard to really define the relationship. There’s a lot of love there, and sometimes I need little breaks. Can we normalise taking breaks more? Overall, it’s an incredibly powerful relationship that I enjoy, it just comes at a cost sometimes.
Being a writer and culture critic, it only seems correct that your bias is Namjoon. What initially drew you to him? And do you think we often connect to our biases because we see parts of ourselves in them?
Wallea: I absolutely think we connect to our biases due to commonalities. It might seem odd to bring this up, but it’s like when siblings who don’t know they’re siblings fall in love with each other. Because they have so much in common. It’s a very real psychological phenomenon. I think it’s similar in fandom. No, we’re not siblings with BTS. But we see ourselves in them, or perhaps who we want to be. This makes us feel closer to them for sure. I was initially drawn to RM because of his charisma, intelligence, and the complex emotions I could see bubbling underneath his persona. It felt like we had the same emotional maps. I wrote about this in Idol Limerence–it felt like I was staring into a mirror. Is it my face or his I see staring back? Such is the power of an idol persona.
Speaking of BTS, let's touch briefly on BTS and your personal journey with them. How did you first discover them, and what was it that drew you in specifically?
Wallea: I was on YouTube watching a trailer for a K-drama I wanted to watch. I saw the actor in the K-drama also referred to as an ‘idol’ and had videos of him singing. After watching the video of him singing, autoplay kicked in, and I was presented with BTS’ music video for IDOL. It was an amazing experience, but I left confused as to what had just happened. Their sound, their style, their dance… it all drew me back in, and I just had to know more. So at first, it was equal parts artistry and also to satisfy my academic curiosity. I guess that hasn’t really changed.
For those who perhaps are just starting to go down the rabbit hole or are simply intrigued, what album, in your opinion, is the best introduction and provides a small insight into them as artists?
Wallea: I would recommend listening to Love Yourself: Answer–this was my first album. It has a great mix of songs, and the music videos are amazing. Definitely start with the music videos. The overarching concept of the Love Yourself era is artistically beautiful and incredibly coherent. A perfect jumping-off point.
As the iconic Chapter Two era is seemingly coming to an end, how have you enjoyed this chapter, and which album has been the standout?
Wallea: Chapter Two has been marred by my ongoing health crisis, so I fear I wasn’t as present as I would have liked to be. I think it has been an important time for BTS to find themselves and experiment. It felt like our lives were mirroring each other in that sense. We both took steps back to find ourselves and return in 2025. The standout album for me was Indigo–this marked a huge shift for RM and showed many new sides to his musicality. This was exemplified by the success of Right Place, Wrong Person–I know many might say this should be my top pick, but I felt the anticipation of Indigo and what it represented much more. Indigo was the foundation and RPWP was the legacy.
Finally, what would be the next goal in your creative journey?
Wallea: I am currently working on a book called Iconicism. It’s looking at the process of becoming a cultural icon in the social media era. Of course, BTS feature heavily–in fact, I’ve done what I’d like to think is my best ever writing all about BTS and their mythology. I’m currently shopping the proposal around to agents in the US and further afield, hopefully, it gets picked up soon by someone who really gets the importance of BTS, ARMY, and the work I do. Then, it’s onto the next book (maybe one with RM? A girl can dream).
Be sure to follow Wallea on her socials here.