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studykaisoo · 5 years

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Understanding Fan Culture: Being a fan because you can relate to your idols

Hello everyone! A random discussion popped out of my mind. I was supposed to post it in my wordpress blog (with in-depth research), but as you know I'm busy studying. Still, I couldn't get thoughts out of my head so I'm writing this.

Photo credits to Globe Telecom

Some background:

I am a natural-born fangirl. As early in childhood days, I've been hyped with Meteor Garden (The Original Taiwanese F4), after that as a child I've been an avid watcher of cartoons, few animes, Disney/Nickelodean live-action shows, High School Musical. Moving my way to High School, I have become a big fan of the Jonas Brothers (until they became on hiatus, but yay they're back!), then discovering Korean Dramas and finally K-pop. I have a lot more of interests but it would be a burden to list (hint: like webtoons)

How do I become a fan of show/person/group?

It honestly depends on the situation:

For shows/animes/cartoons/dramas

If the story line is great, funny and I won't stop until I finish it

For persons like actors/actress/athletes

Performance matters. Of course, as a normal person, I also look on visual but what's important for me is the ability to act, to move the viewers (same goes with athletes who can showcase their skill very well)

For groups/bands

I've been a k-pop while for a while and I would like to say "Visuals are only a bonus". Because if it's my main factor of stanning groups, I would have stanned everybody.

I get the "fan syndrome" when I listen/watch this music video and the song cannot go out of my head. Also, if I am amazed with their choreography, there's a tendency I would look for their live performances more. If I couldn't get enough I might discover their funny videos.

But do you know what's the end game to know you've officially stanned a group? It does not 100% work all of the time but usually, after watching an idol group's variety show I develop attachment towards a group and I become a fan.

So what do you mean by attachment?

For me, attachment is a kind of feeling when you feel that certain person is special to you.

How do attachment grows in fan culture? Basically, our "idols" are like our "online friends" who doesn't know us personally (they know us collectively like how EXO calls their fans EXO-Ls or how One Direction has Directioners). On the other side of the relationship, there is a fan who knows a lot of things about her idols.

How does being "relatable" to your idols affect your fan life?

Disclaimer: This is based on personal experiences, I am not talking in behalf of everyone.

The greatest way to answer this is through an example.

A little background about me: I'm in my 20s and is obviously behind my batchmates due to pursuing a certain dream. I regret most of my life choices.

EXHIBIT 1: EXO

Most of the members of EXO had longer training years (except for Chen and Baekhyun who spent 1 year). I'll make Suho as a more specific example. He trained the longest among EXO. But he never give up and now, he's a leader of a nation's pick up boy group. I may not be there from the beginning but I've seen their hardships and that motivates me not to quit.

EXHIBIT 2: SB19

If you're following me, you've probably seen I had few posts about this new boy group from the Philippines that I discovered, SB19.

There was an interview that I watched recently and one of the members (Josh, if I'm not mistaken) said that him, Stell and Sejun trained the longest (4 years). It was difficult because parents would say something like "it's been so long, what are you doing in your life"

Guess what? I felt that. I feel like I am in a similar situation as them.

Sejun said they all wanted to give up, but they didn't. I'm glad they did because their time to "Go Up" has arrived.

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When I hear stories from artists saying "hardwork pays off" or "it will be okay in the future", I do get a sense of relief.

Also, when fans feel that they can relate to their idols' lives, the more they want to see of them. Probably that's how fandom grows. Fans tend to engage more to a group because it gives them hope. Hoping that one day, they could also achieve their dreams. But for now, watching their idols grow is a temporary fulfillment for the void in your heart.

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