There’s more to idol life than stages and spotlights. It’s heartwarming to know that some stars find peace in the pages of books, turning book quotes into inspiration, strength, and even song lyrics.

Let’s look into a charming lineup of idols whose bookshelf game is just as strong as their stage presence.

RM (BTS)

When RM isn’t spitting rap verses, he’s dropping book recommendations that send fandoms into full-on study mode. From Demian by Hermann Hesse to The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin, RM sparks literary conversation among ARMYs and urges them to take a walk in the world of books. His deep journey into these books inspired BTS’s Spring Day visuals and Blood Sweat & Tears themes, so yes, it's safe to say he wrote his favorite books into his music, and we cannot forget them.

IU

IU used to get punishments in the form of reading thick books and she loved it. These books fueled her creative spark to birth tracks like “Twenty-Three” from Chat-shire echo the vibes from Alice in Wonderland, demonstrating how a bookworm’s world can blossom into enjoyable music.

GOT7’s Jinyoung

Caught with a book in hand, whether jet-setting or chilling at home, Jinyoung’s tastes range from Murakami’s Norwegian Wood to Green and Fitzgerald classics. His wanderer’s spirit extends to his reading list. For someone with a mysterious vibe, its almost like his travel book genres come to life as his personality.

BLACKPINK’s Jisoo

Aside from being the visual of the group, she buries herself in The Little Prince and works from Murakami, Proust, and Fitzgerald. It’s safe to say her elegance is drawn from genres like this.

Red Velvet’s Yeri

Yeri always has her nose in everything from thrillers to philosophical texts when seen at the airport or most of her schedules. Meanwhile, Irene made headlines reading Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982, telling us that feminism can also be well understood if we research the stories of women through books.

Seohyun (Girls' Generation)

Seohyun visits her local cafe to devour books. With her steadfast dedication to reading, she’s earned her title as the group’s go-to literary soul who is full of knowledge and a walking encyclopedia. Even with her transition to the drama industry, one can tell of her rich knowledge of literature with her effortless pull-offs of any genre.

DAY6’s Jae

Over Perks of Being a Wallflower and Catcher in the Rye, It was easy for him to explore his teenage years. He even tweets his reading journey, love for books, and the desire to get back into reading because they are shining a light on his path.

These idols show that intelligence and artistry go hand-in-hand because books inspire lyrics, album or track covers, music video aesthetics, and acting. Finding solace between chapters of books as they take a break from their busy and usual schedule is one of the reasons why they cannot ditch their reading journeys, which has enriched their artistry in tangible ways.

So next time you are on a lonesome flight or need to build a creative activity, you should get in touch with your inner bookworm. Which book genre do you love or prefer? Which idol do you have a similar taste to?