K-pop Penpals

When the pandemic hit I thought about all the people who would be missing their birthdays with family and friends. My daughter and at the time had gotten into K-pop music, and one of our favorite groups was BTS. We had secured tickets to see them in concert but covid19 happened and all social gatherings were canceled.

We had joined a Facebook group dedicated to BTS and their fans in California and since the concert had been canceled I thought it would be a nice gesture to send handmade birthday cards to Army (name of BTS fandom) who were stuck in quarantine and could not celebrate their birthday with their friends and loved ones.

I created a post letting everyone know we were going to make birthday cards for anyone stuck in quarantine and to let us know if they would like a handmade birthday card customized with whoever their BTS bias was. We received a big response from people all over California. It made us so happy to be able to do what we love most, crafting and creating together. This is my ultimate happiness, being able to sit with my daughter and create one of a kind cards while listening to K-pop music has kept me sane during a very difficult year. I even started my own Facebook group dedicated to exchanging cards and mail every month. My idea was to keep card making ongoing throughout the year, so I created themes for each month as well as a section dedicated to birthdays for the given month. Everyone who participates in the monthly exchanges is also entered into a monthly giveaway which is donated by myself and random members of the group who kindly donate items such as Kpop merch or stationary items. I love customizing cards for each individual person in my group and it brings me a lot of joy when I see a photo posted when they've received their card. I have made many friends with people all over the U.S. and Hawaii. They are so kind, creative, and caring and I am so Happy they too are sharing in my happiness. I've received many cards in the last 6 months and each card is as special as the next.

Many of the members have written to thank me for starting this group, and some have expressed that they do not have any friends who share their love for K-pop so they feel alone or isolated in that regard. Some even get criticized or made fun of for listening to foreign music. My group allows them to come together in a loving space to share their thoughts and comments on whichever group they may be into. Kpop card exchange is accepting of all K-pop group fandoms and it has allowed me and other people to learn about the different talent out there.

My group continues to grow and it makes me really happy to be able to spread cheer every month.Thinking about how my cards will make someone’s day a little brighter is what motivated me to start this group, and I intend to keep it going and possibly expand internationally.

Gathering stationary supplies is so fun and being able to sit at my dining table surrounded by all my markers, scissors, stickers, and card stock, is where I am truly happiest. I have made so many new friends during covid19 which I thought would be impossible since social gathering completely stopped.

If I win any type of prize from sharing my story I intend to share it with my group and give away some stationary bundles which will include some Fiskars scissors.