The Melanin Ajumma

Author Talk: A Conversation with Elondra Birchfield author of Purple Hearts: Maya’s Journey With BTS

We all have an origin story of how we started our journey as fans of K-pop and Korean culture. For some, it was a way to connect to a culture and community that we were already familiar with. The journey may have been caused by a spark of curiosity that stemmed from watching a movie or seeing a performance on social media. For others, it was a friend or family member that dangled the proverbial carrot in front of us and guided us through this new and exciting world. We all have a story to tell and if we are lucky, we are able to share with others our origin stories in hopes of finding connection and community.

For me I was able to find and join online communities of K-pop fans, especially other Black K-pop fans that shared the same enthusiasm and share what it meant from our own unique cultural perspective. In that group I have met many wonderful people from all over the world. One such person is Elondra Birchfield. Not too soon after joining an online community of Black K-pop fans I was already apart of she shared that she had recently written a young adult fiction book about a young Black American girl’s journey into becoming ARMY (BTS fandom). I immediately clicked on the link she shared and purchased a copy of Purple Hearts: Maya’s Journey With BTS.

Purple Hearts: Maya’s Journey with BTS is a story about Maya, a young Black American girl from Georgia that has discovered BTS and through that journey, discovered not only her love of music, but her growing love and admiration for Korean culture. Through her journey she discovers how diverse cultures are more a like than not, finds community in others that share her passion and becomes an ambassador of Korean culture by sharing with family and friends.

I asked Elondra if she would be willing to do a Q & A about Purple Hearts, and she graciously agreed. I asked her everything from what was her own BTS journey, what was her inspiration and what did she want fellow ARMY to take away from the theme presented throughout the story.

Author Bio:

I am an African American mother from Southern California. I grew up in a very conservative Christian household and was raised by my grandparents after losing my mother at the early age of seven. Despite enduring hardships, I have remained strong and resilient, carrying the values instilled in me throughout my life. Writing is a passion project that allows me to express myself and share meaningful stories with others.

***Q & A was conducted through electronic communication***

❖    What was the inspiration for wanting to write this book?

The inspiration for writing Purple Hearts: Maya’s Journey with BTS came from the joy I’ve personally experienced as a member of their fandom, ARMY. Being part of that community has been uplifting and transformative for me. An idea sparked to create a story about a young woman named Maya who does something not so ordinary within Black American society. She embraces music in another language and connects with a culture unfamiliar to her, simply because it brings her happiness. Through Maya’s journey, I wanted to reflect the beauty of finding joy and belonging in unexpected places.

❖    Is Maya’s Journey autobiographical in any way?

Absolutely. That is part of what made writing this story so meaningful to me. I wanted Maya to be a fictional character, yet carry pieces of my own journey within her. Through her, I could explore my love for K-Pop, the sense of belonging I’ve discovered, and the quiet joy of embracing something that brings me happiness. In many ways, Maya’s story and mine are intertwined, a blend of imagination and lived experience that allowed me to tell a story that is both personal and universal.

❖    How did you start your own journey in discovering BTS and K-Pop?

 My love for K-pop began after watching the 2019 Oscar-winning film Parasite, which sparked my curiosity about Korean entertainment, from K-dramas to K-pop. Around that time, BTS’s success was taking over America, and their artistry, message, and global impact drew me in and made me a devoted fan.

❖    Early in the book you talk about finally finding belongingness and community at school. As a fan of K-Pop and Korean culture, how important is it to find others that share the same passion?

For me, finding belonging as a Black girl who loves K-Pop and Korean culture felt like discovering a hidden melody that others could finally hear too. Growing up, my interests didn’t always mirror those around me, and at times, that made me feel like I was humming a song no one else recognized. When I found others who shared that same passion, it felt like stepping into a chorus where every voice resonated with mine. It was not just about music. It was about being understood without explanation and celebrated without question. That kind of community is soul nourishing because it reminds you that joy can bridge cultures and that the things that make you different can also be the very things that connect you most deeply to others.

❖    You also mention the support Maya received from her family early on in her journey to discovering her new passion. This has been a struggle for many. How important was it for you to add this dynamic to the story?

It was very important for me to include that dynamic in Maya’s story because support can make all the difference when someone is discovering a new passion. In many communities, including my own, interests that fall outside of what’s considered “normal” can be met with confusion or even resistance. I wanted to show a different narrative. By highlighting the support Maya received from her family early on, I hoped to reflect the beauty of being nurtured in a space where curiosity is encouraged and individuality is embraced. That kind of foundation gives someone the confidence to explore who they are without fear, and it can shape the way they move through the world.

❖    Going to Korea for so many ARMY can be seen as the great pilgrimage to the motherland of K-Pop. As a K-Pop fan, in your opinion, how important is it to try and make a trip to Korea a reality?

To me, it’s more than just a trip. It’s a way to honor the passion and joy that K-Pop has brought, and to feel a deeper connection to something that has inspired and uplifted me. Walking the streets, experiencing the culture firsthand, and seeing where the artistry began can be transformative. It’s a reminder that the things we love have roots, and that sometimes, following those roots can help us understand ourselves and our place in a bigger world.

❖    Many will never have the ability to travel to Korea. How much of Maya’s experiences were taken from real experiences and just an imagination of what the most perfect trip to Korea could be for a 1st visit?

 Definitely, seeing BTS on their PTD concert tour in Los Angeles and Las Vegas was real! I haven’t traveled to South Korea yet, but I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and forming a friendship with viral social media sensation and comedian Tina Kim. We shared meals and sang karaoke together in K-Town, Los Angeles. Maya’s experiences in the book are a blend of these real-life moments and my imagination of what the most perfect first trip to Korea could be, capturing the excitement, wonder, and cultural connection that so many fans dream of experiencing.

❖    Maya and Yunjin meeting is endearing. Yunjin expresses lack of parental support similar to the support Maya receives from her familiar. In your opinion, how important is it for these types of intercultural connections among ARMY from all over the world? What are some of your experiences, if any, connecting with other ARMY from all over the world either in-person or online?

I think intercultural connections among ARMY from all over the world are incredibly important. For fans like Yunjin, who may not have the same support at home that Maya does, connecting with other ARMY can provide a sense of being seen and a true sense of belonging. Togetherness is powerful, and it reminds us that color or race can transcend positivity even in times of racial tension. Personally, I’ve had the joy of connecting with ARMY both in-person and online. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Tina Kim, and most recently, an author at my latest book event connected with me immediately after realizing I am a K-Pop fan. These experiences have shown me how shared passion can unite people from different backgrounds, creating spaces where we can celebrate, support, and uplift each other.

❖    There is nothing like that 1st concert feeling. Can you talk about your own first time attending a K-Pop concert? Who did you see? Did you go solo or with others? How much of your own experiences were written as Maya’s?

 When I think back to my first K-pop concert, I can still feel the butterflies. I was ecstatic! The BTS Permission to Dance (PTD) tour was announced so suddenly and it just so happened to be local to me in Los Angeles. It felt like fate. I had the funds ready, so I bought my ticket right away and ordered my BTS lightstick immediately. Everything about it was surreal. To be so close to BTS and hear them perform the songs that had become the soundtrack to my life was absolutely exhilarating. And then came the outfit anticipation! Planning every detail felt like part of the magic. I did go alone; I had one friend that was interested but she changed her mind. I wasn’t going to let anything stop me from seeing BTS live. As for Maya, so much of her concert experience came from my own — the energy, the anticipation, the joy of seeing her idols in person for the first time. I wanted readers to feel what I felt that night the mix of awe, excitement, and deep emotional connection that can only happen when music and dreams collide in real life.

❖    During her trip, Maya experiences feeling very comfortable in Korea, while also feeling connected to the country and cultural heritage. How have you connected to the country and culture from abroad? Has it helped you connect to Korean music even more? In what ways do you feel connected and expanded on that connection? A favorite local Korean restaurant, a local K-Pop store, going to Korean cultural events in your area?

 Ktown Los Angeles has been an amazing way for me to stay connected to Korean culture from abroad. From the vibrant markets to the karaoke spots, there’s always something that makes me feel immersed in the energy of Korea. I’ve even dined at restaurants that famous K-pop idols have mentioned as their go-to favorites, like Aghassi and Louders which I’ve personally enjoyed! One of my most memorable experiences was when the popular mall, The Source in Orange County, hosted a free performance by BlackSwan. The atmosphere was electric, filled with fans celebrating music and culture together. The mall itself is filled with trendy K-beauty shops, cafés, and Korean-inspired fashion, giving me a small taste of Seoul right here in California.

❖    After returning to the United States, Maya’s expresses how difficult it is for her to explain her feelings during her trip with non-K-pop fans. This ultimately leads her to become more active in online forums to share, learn and grow from her time in Korea. It what ways have you fund it difficult to share your own journey and discovery as ARMY and overall fan of Korean culture with others not as connected?

 It was rough for a while. Oftentimes, my peers would scrunch their faces and question why I listen to Korean music when I’m not Korean and don’t know the language. However, this year things have changed. I joined Facebook groups such as Black K-Pop Fans—which is actually where I connected with you! I’ve also made new friends who love K-pop through Threads and even Discord.

❖    We have all experienced what Maya has done by slowly exposing her family to BTS through showing them music videos and documentaries, even exposing family and friends to Korean food and culture. Can you share if or how you have done the same?

 My Aunt actually knew of BTS before I did back in 2015. She even had some songs of theirs on her playlist. So, when she learned I was heavy into BTS she was accepting. However, the rest of my family don’t judge me but don’t get the fascination, quite frankly.

❖    I started this blog the day before my first K-Con NY in 2019 and my first post was about that experience. That feeling of community all under one roof was overwhelming and exciting. Maya does everything in her power to attend K-Con even through many obstacles. Have you been to K-Con and if so, can you share what that 1st experience was like for you?

 I have yet to attend KCON but I anticipate having a booth there soon!

❖    In Chapter 15, to enter a contest Maya and Yunjin decide to use how BTS and ARMY connected them and grew into a long-distance friendship. So many ARMY have their own stories of finding close and long-lasting connections and friendships. For you, how important have these ARMY connections been and have you been able to find your “Yunjin?”

These ARMY connections have meant so much to me. They’ve shown me that friendship can blossom through shared passion, even across distance and time zones. What started as conversations about music and BTS slowly turned into genuine bonds—people who understand the emotions, the growth, and the inspiration that come from being part of this fandom. Fun fact yes, I had a Yunjin myself in Art college in 2008. Her name was Amy. She taught me how to eat with chopsticks! We aren’t as close as we were in school, but she was the inspiration for Yunjin’s character.

❖    Chapter 19 is the be all end all fantasy for every ARMY I know, including myself; a chance for an intimate setting meet and greet with BTS. If you had the chance for this same type of meet and greet, what kind of questions would you ask?

 If I ever had the chance for an intimate meet and greet with BTS, I’d probably be a bundle of nerves and excitement! But once I gathered myself, I’d want to ask them meaningful questions like what moments keep them grounded when fame feels overwhelming or what dreams they still hold close beyond music. I’d also love to know how they personally define happiness now after everything they’ve achieved. And honestly, I’d just want to thank them for their music, their sincerity, and the way they’ve inspired millions of us, including me, to love ourselves a little more each day.

❖    In the last chapter Maya, expresses that her journey in discovering BTS and becoming ARMY drove a desire to want to be more active in the K-Pop community in some way. I personally connected to Maya’s desire, having started my own blog about Korean entertainment and culture. Can you share what being ARMY has meant to you?

 Being ARMY has meant so much more to me than just being a fan. It’s been a journey of growth, self-love, and connection. Through BTS’s music and message, I’ve learned to embrace who I am, to heal, and to keep moving forward even during hard times. Being part of this fandom has also introduced me to incredible people who share the same passion and positivity. It feels like being part of a global family. One that celebrates love, understanding, and hope.

❖    Lastly, in your Author’s Notes, you dedicate the book “to the girls who love BTS and feel out of place in the fandom…know you are seen, you are loved and you are part of something beautiful.” How important was it for you to author this book and tell this type of story? What do you hope people take away from reading Purple Hearts?

 When I think back to my first K-pop concert, I can still feel the butterflies. I was ecstatic! The BTS Permission to Dance (PTD) tour was announced so suddenly and it just so happened to be local to me in Los Angeles. It felt like fate. I had the funds ready, so I bought my ticket right away and ordered my BTS lightstick immediately. Everything about it was surreal. To be so close to BTS and hear them perform the songs that had become the soundtrack to my life was absolutely exhilarating. And then came the outfit anticipation! Planning every detail felt like part of the magic. I did go alone; I had one friend that was interested but she changed her mind. I wasn’t going to let anything stop me from seeing BTS live. As for Maya, so much of her concert experience came from my own — the energy, the anticipation, the joy of seeing her idols in person for the first time. I wanted readers to feel what I felt that night the mix of awe, excitement, and deep emotional connection that can only happen when music and dreams collide in real life.

What did I Learn

Purple Hearts: Maya’s Journey with BTS resonated with me on so many levels. I completely understood Maya’s desire for belongingness and community. Regardless of age, race, ethnicity or gender, we all want to be seen, heard and understood. We all want to explore ways to express ourselves and our passions in hopes that others feel the same way; even if it’s just one person. I am fortunate, much like Elondra, to live in a city with a large and strong Korean community. This enables me to go to concerts when they come to my town and easily obtain Korean food and immerse myself in Korean culture. Yet, for many, online connections are a way to explore culture, find community and much needed support when those around you just don’t quite understand.

K-pop fandoms spend a lot of time defending our love for the music and our favorite groups. Often, that means being pigeon hold into a narrative that is not our own by those that try to fit us into a box they can understand. Especially within the Black American community, where being a a fan of something not in the mainstream is often looked down upon. Therefore, books like Purple Hearts are needed more than ever to say that it’s okay to be yourself even if no one else understands. Yes, there are others just like you and you are not alone.

If you would like to own a copy of Purple Hearts, click on the highlighted link to purchase:

Purple Hearts: Maya’s Journey with BTS-EBOOK

Until Next Time…….