K-pop Fans be CRAZY (Q2)
Keeping question 2 in mind, the other type of celebrity I want to bring up is K-pop idols. K-pop burst into the global cultural sphere in the early 21st century, featuring various bands filled with young, attractive, members. Members of the K-pop fan base can range from as young as 10 to as old as 40. To capitalise on the fanaticism of fans, K-pop idols often have a no-dating clause in their contracts, which can last between a few years to the entire duration they are signed to a company (Harrison, 2017). K-pop Idols are seen as a commodity for fans to consume, with tight schedules, strict diets, and carefully curated images.
Crazy fans are abound in all fan bases, and the K-pop fanbase is no exception. There is even a specific term for a crazy K-pop fan - "sasaeng", which refers to fans which engage in obsessive behaviors towards their idols. These can range fan letters written in blood, to getting on the stage to try to drag their favourite idol off it. The intensity of sasaeng obsessions led to South Korea amending their Minor Offences Act in March of 2013, implementing tougher punishments and fines for those convicted. One does wonder if this is enough to stop the fans from harassing their idols, though. A K-pop fan event in Malaysia in 2015 caused an uproar in the conservative Muslim community after seeing footage of female Muslim fans being allowed on stage to be hugged by their idols. This type of event is not uncommon throughout the K-pop sphere though, as fans are fed on information released in magazines or websites about what each idol likes or dislikes in a member of the opposite gender. K-pop fans almost seem to be encouraged to picture themselves as potential romantic partners for their idols, probably to fuel album and merchandise sales.
I feel the need to state #notALLkpopfans before someone gets defensive, but on the surface it does look like an unhealthy obsession with K-pop idols is not only common but possibly encouraged. I'll need to examine what makes up "healthy" celebrity-fan connections in a future post.
References:
Harrison, O. (2017). Dating Ban In South Korean Entertainment. [online] The North Wildcat Word. Available at: https://northwildcatword.wordpress.com/2017/02/05/dating-ban-in-south-korean-entertainment/ [Accessed 1 Jul. 2017].
Korea JoongAng Daily. (2017). Get tough on stalking. [online] Available at: http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2976297 [Accessed 1 Jul. 2017].
Mail Online. (2015). Malaysian girls who hugged K-pop band threatened with arrest. [online] Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-2910312/Malaysian-girls-hugged-K-pop-band-threatened-arrest.html [Accessed 1 Jul. 2017].
seoulbeats. (2017). The Dogma Behind the Dating Ban. [online] Available at: http://seoulbeats.com/2012/05/the-dogma-behind-the-dating-ban/ [Accessed 1 Jul. 2017].
Crazy fans are abound in all fan bases, and the K-pop fanbase is no exception. There is even a specific term for a crazy K-pop fan - "sasaeng", which refers to fans which engage in obsessive behaviors towards their idols. These can range fan letters written in blood, to getting on the stage to try to drag their favourite idol off it. The intensity of sasaeng obsessions led to South Korea amending their Minor Offences Act in March of 2013, implementing tougher punishments and fines for those convicted. One does wonder if this is enough to stop the fans from harassing their idols, though. A K-pop fan event in Malaysia in 2015 caused an uproar in the conservative Muslim community after seeing footage of female Muslim fans being allowed on stage to be hugged by their idols. This type of event is not uncommon throughout the K-pop sphere though, as fans are fed on information released in magazines or websites about what each idol likes or dislikes in a member of the opposite gender. K-pop fans almost seem to be encouraged to picture themselves as potential romantic partners for their idols, probably to fuel album and merchandise sales.
I feel the need to state #notALLkpopfans before someone gets defensive, but on the surface it does look like an unhealthy obsession with K-pop idols is not only common but possibly encouraged. I'll need to examine what makes up "healthy" celebrity-fan connections in a future post.
References:
Harrison, O. (2017). Dating Ban In South Korean Entertainment. [online] The North Wildcat Word. Available at: https://northwildcatword.wordpress.com/2017/02/05/dating-ban-in-south-korean-entertainment/ [Accessed 1 Jul. 2017].
Korea JoongAng Daily. (2017). Get tough on stalking. [online] Available at: http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2976297 [Accessed 1 Jul. 2017].
Mail Online. (2015). Malaysian girls who hugged K-pop band threatened with arrest. [online] Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-2910312/Malaysian-girls-hugged-K-pop-band-threatened-arrest.html [Accessed 1 Jul. 2017].
seoulbeats. (2017). The Dogma Behind the Dating Ban. [online] Available at: http://seoulbeats.com/2012/05/the-dogma-behind-the-dating-ban/ [Accessed 1 Jul. 2017].
No comments: