K-pop and fandom

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Opinion

Bernard Rowan

K-pop and fandom

Posted : 2023-08-20 16:35

Updated : 2023-08-20 17:50

By Bernard Rowan

The Korean Wave or "hallyu" is a deepening trend in Korean civilization. Korean performers on television and in music lead the wave. Recently, I've learned about various kinds of idolizing and obsessive fans: "sasaeng" fans, anti-fans and "stan" fans. I also found Koreaboo.com's explanation of K-pop fan types from "pyramids" to "liquid types." I've honestly never seen the breadth and depth of self-identification and complexity that characterizes present-day fandom around K-pop. Now that I'm older, it strikes me all as a bit silly, until I remember my own youthful fandom.

When I was a youth, I idolized Jack Nicklaus. He was a hero of mine. I thought he played the game of golf, my favorite sport, masterfully. His preparation, tenacity and skills in many matters of the game impressed me. I sang songs thinking about Jack Nicklaus. I cried when he won a tournament. I mimicked his moves when I played golf. I said entire rosaries in petition that he would win golf tournaments. I was a fan and then some.

In my youth, one of America's most famous singers died. Elvis Presley ranked as one of the top entertainers in music in the 20th century. His fans would rival K-pop fans today in many respects. I even knew several people who swore they had seen him or that he was alive, after he had passed away. Some followed with a cult-like obsession. Elvis was a symbol of their hopes and dreams. He also was a world-famous singer and performer.

K-pop is a great development of Korean culture, as are popular music, television, cartoons and the many arts that form the Korean Wave. Most fans are respectful and responsible consumers of popular culture all around the world. They enjoy life more because of the hard work and talents of Korean artists and performers. They meet other people and drive innovation and change in entertainment. And I think that just as with my own fandom, psychologists would tell us there is nothing wrong or bad about idolizing K-pop stars. The loyalties, love and admiration the fans feel for performers is a complex reality, but I don't think it's bad. However, when fan behavior substitutes for self-regard and lacks respect for others, it's gone too far. The same goes for an obsession that overwhelms personal development and pursuits.

Growing up involves copying something that we find admirable or desirable. We may in time find the qualities of beauty, passion, strength or success in others worthy of continued practice and imitation. They are qualities we claim and parts of personality. We may find they shouldn't continue as immature or even undesirable qualities. Learning involves experimentation, trial and error.

I'd suggest that when fans take on their idols' personas as something they have to protect or "own," admiration turns morbid. Proving one's loyalty or love for an idol isn't necessary or even healthy. The obsessive need to win an idol's recognition can be dangerous. An idol is not one's family member or friend, let alone oneself. Harming property, other persons or oneself because of fan feeling and thinking is wrong.

Wikipedia has an interesting article on the legal aspects of addressing popular fan culture and behaviors stemming from antisocial acts. Korea has made some moves but arguably needs to go further. A recent bill or draft statute on stalking hasn't happened. It also doesn't help when K-Pop idols fail to seek justice when fans go too far. The Minor Offences Act arguably needs strengthening. Korean leaders, including K-pop stars and fan clubs need to speak out about what kinds of fans are reasonable and rational. Health, safety and mutual respect ground the lawful pursuit of commerce and fan ratings. Fans shouldn't turn idols into victims, or other fans, or themselves.

In writing about Korea's suicide epidemic, I've noted the problem with a loss of self-regard, or substituting regard from others for self-respect. This includes the recognition of a K-pop idol or fandom. Fans should remember that their lives count. Their estimation of an idol or hero or heroine stands second to the regard they should have for their own lives, liberty and property ― as well as their growth and development. Adults, teachers, and families need also be mindful of youthful behaviors and monitor what their teenage and younger children do in the name of celebrating a performer or singer.

Bernard Rowan (browan10@yahoo.com) is associate provost for contract administration and academic services and professor of political science at Chicago State University. He is a past fellow of the Korea Foundation and former visiting professor at Hanyang University.