Music has never been such a core part of my life until I became a writer. Playlists never meant that much to me, until it meant so much. I have one for each novel I write and it builds as the story progresses. I never pick my playlist in advance. It starts off with one song, then two, then twenty. Here are the top five from my newest novel, BAD INFLUENCE - K-Pop Edition (mostly).
Mixtape: Time Out, Stray Kids
This song is so upbeat and fun and speak about pushing forward and leaving the past in the past. It pretty much captures Charlotte's heart as she tries to succeed as an influencer. I listened to it on repeat as I wrote scenes of her loving influencer life or enjoying beach days with Steven. It was the perfect song to listen to when drafting scenes of Charlotte feeling like her life was finally thriving (until...it wasn't!).
Do you want to walk with me?, Jukjae
This song is so mellow. Quite literally feels like a walk on a cloudy or rainy day as the last of the cherry blossoms get whisked off of their trees. There are so many times Charlotte is navigating the complications of her choices and life. From family burdens to questionable situationships to her growing tension and relationship with Steven, she grapples with the many, many layers of being a teenager, and trying to be a good one at that. I listened to this track many times when I felt heavy for her and wished I could give her a hug and encourage her to keep taking one right step at a time.
Anymore, Jeon Somi
"But I know this. ain't. it. For now I'm stuck in this beautiful nightmare." Such strong words! "I need some medicine to numb me up. I should've never gave you the keys to my soul." In this context, to me, it's more than a romance song. Charlotte is stuck in a beautiful nightmare of her own creation: building a social media empire that's a secret from her parents, slowly losing her mind at the burden of being the elder daughter, not being able to keep up with her own life and school. She thinks she has what she's wanted but nothing seems to be quite right. It's an accurate portrayal of how often we feel about our own lives, isn't it?
ABCDEFU (Angrier), Gayle
Ah, who of us doesn't know this song, right? Even though most of these songs (and songs in general) tend to be romance-focused, I listened to this a lot when I was writing family scenes. Charlotte is struggling with the responsibility of her family's burdens (somewhat self-inflicted, but much of it valid), and the pressure to be a perfect older sister. At some point, after a traumatic incident involving her little sister, she runs off, down the beach and runs until her legs give out. This song was in my mind and her mind (I imagined) as I wrote out so much of her anger and pain on the pages.
Everyday With You, KyoungSeo
This song makes me feel like the first few months of romance. It's so sweet, fluffy, tingly, and joyful. This song I only reserved for Charlotte and Steven. Steven is her home and it takes her a while to realize that, but when she does, this is the soundtrack to their first days together in love.
In this contemporary YA novel, high school student Charlotte Goh is an aspiring Asian American fashion influencer desperately trying to lift her family out of hardship, only to find it may come at a cost higher than any Chanel bag.
Seventeen-year-old Charlotte Goh is juggling two very different personas: the dutiful Korean daughter, and the hustling NYC fashion influencer. Her best friend Steven scoffs at her ambition, but she secretly hopes that her posts will help financially support her struggling family. Then one night, after posting about a racist experience she had at an influencer event, Charlotte finds herself going viral and garnering the fame she’s always craved. And as much as she doesn’t want her newfound popularity to change her, she can’t help but be swept away by the exciting perks: chic new friends, the attention of one of Hollywood’s hottest heartthrobs, and a slew of companies clamoring to sponsor her.
But as she falls deeper into the influencer world, she finds that she may have to sacrifice more than she bargained for—including her unexpected new feelings for Steven. Will Charlotte be able to stay true to herself, or will she lose the things that are most important to her?
Young Adult | Romance Contemporary [Penguin Young Readers Group, On Sale: April 29, 2025, Hardcover / e-Book , ISBN: 9780593403167 / eISBN: 9780593403181]
Claire Ahn grew up in Seoul, Korea, and still considers it home. She moved to New York to attend university and now lives in Long Island City with her husband, daughter, and their dog, Dante. She writes about transcultural experiences and the traditions, values, and legacies that shape who we are.
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