Imagine meeting a member of your favorite K-pop group, packing your bags, and uprooting your life to Seoul in hopes of rekindling a relationship with him? That’s exactly what our lovable lead Shayla does in , a new Audible Original romance series from K-pop super fan Shenee Howard. We caught up with the author to find out how K-pop music changed her life and what listeners can expect in her Seoul-searching love story.

Audible: You’ve built a successful K-pop platform on TikTok called “Heyshenee,” with more than 30K followers. You also host a popular podcast, Grown Ass Fandom, devoted to K-pop. How did you become interested in K-pop culture?

Shenee Howard: I got into it in 2020. I was depressed and lonely because of the pandemic and feeling really upset and scared about the world in general. K-pop was an escape for me at the time, and I got really into it because of the community. I was eager to find other adult K-pop fans like me. K-pop sucks you in unlike anything I've ever experienced before.

What inspired you to write Koreaboo, and why did you choose to tell this story now?

I wanted to write a story that reflected so much of what I was learning and seeing about K-pop, good and bad. You hear over and over again about how people want to move to Korea and find their "oppa" (eek), and I wanted to do a realistic spin on that idea. It's got some dreamy parts but also a lot of struggle. I was fascinated by how so many people view South Korea as a solution to all the problems in the world, and I wanted to create a story that explores that idea. I also grew up watching romantic comedies set in Paris or London with the Olsen twins, so I wanted Koreaboo to be a fun, escapist story.

What’s a “Koreaboo”—how would you define it for our listeners?

A “Koreaboo” is someone who is obsessed with Korean culture to an extreme and uncomfortable degree. They fall down the rabbit hole of fantasy so deep that they think Korean men and Korean culture can be their savior and give them a fairy-tale experience. It's usually used in a derogatory way. In reality, South Korea is just like any other place, which is what the show showcases. Our lead character calls Shayla a “Koreaboo,” and she's not, but her journey is kind of a “Koreaboo“ dream so it's ironic and fun in that way.

In Koreaboo, your main character, Shayla, uproots her life in London and moves to Seoul after a chance encounter with a lead singer of a popular K-pop band. How much of Shayla’s story is inspired by your own life?Oh my god, I wish—if only. While I haven't actually met any K-pop idols, is more a representation of the emotional journey you go on with K-pop and how it takes you down unexpected paths. Shayla's life changed because she got into K-pop, and as corny as it sounds, the same happened to me. My life would have turned out totally differently if I hadn't hit play on that first Blackpink video. GOT7 is one of my favorite K-pop groups. They are one of my “ults” (ultimate favorite group), and I'm so honored that they are a part of it. I think having a K-pop group provide the music gives the project life and energy. The project is a love letter to K-pop and South Korea, and the inclusion of GOT7 just sets the scene even more. I hope they love it and it makes them want to listen to GOT7, check out K-pop, and go to Seoul ... but without unrealistic expectations. It's my first big project, and I hope people love it as much as I do. , written by my friend Melissa Cassera!