kpop is 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 bad for culture

[@zoeunlimited]

No right answer- How are you liking kpop's influence on pop culture?

[@Diaryyofhana]

Every thing has bad sides, but Kpop has unrealistic side too😐

[@ItsonlyViloletroblox]

Hi please could you help me stay motivated to lose weight I'm a big fan and I am starting my journey to lose 56lbs please do you have any advice and support? Thank You From A fan:D

[@Tara_.]

@@ItsonlyViloletrobloxhere’s what I do: - drink water - get enough sleep - calorie deficit of 500 (but make sure this is healthy for you) (My daily intake is 1900, so I eat 1400 daily as a deficit. Sorry for confusion) - dance 1 hour a day daily (but cardio or something else should work) It’s been two months, I lost 10 pounds. You can do it ❤

[@Diaryyofhana]

500 is too low and dangerous, please do your research before trying any thing.

[@kathecarabali]

Is crazy with the beauty standars... Fashion is trying to use more diverse models but kpop shows unhealthy bodies and people want to achieve that

[@kasiapodkoscielna]

as a kpop fan myself i just wish it was more about music and having fun and appreciating artists work instead of non stop fan wars and being obsessive to the point you follow every single move of the idols its both dangerous for idols who are just people who want to create and participate in art and for fans who get addicted to people that dont know about their existance

[@AUGHHHHHBBG]

Like don’t get me wrong I love how idols connect with fans that’s why I love keeping in with stuff like I-Land or Girls planet 999 but these some fans do too much. Like they get to the point when they believe they can treat them like puppets Even western artist have the same issue and people like Doja cat called it out but got hate on it

[@amphibian2982]

Yeah I really try so hard to stay on the good side of K-pop cause I genuinely like music and artists and Ik it’s a slippery slope, I’m so careful- the idea of getting like this terrifying me

[@georgeoust]

I’ve noticed this mainly happens online. In general we all know how crazy Twitter can be, be it abt Kpop or not. Real life kpop fans have always been some of the nicest, most open minded and educated people I’ve met. Unfortunately hate speak louder and it’s always the louder ones who get all the attention….

[@kasiapodkoscielna]

@@georgeoust yess!

[@prmtv]

All of this

[@kleeyourenemies2927]

They fr went from "every asian is chinese" to "every asian is korean"

[@ruththeblink2521]

Frr

[@mariadominguez7207]

So true

[@BELIEVER78989]

So true yet so sad

[@lujixcjml]

It’ll change again in a few years or so haha

[@nityamathur4535]

😂😂

[@yoongistwin]

As someone who has been a big fan of kpop since 2016, I 100% with every thing in this video and that the entire community is scary. Some people have such intense emotions towards these idols that they proceed to prioritize them over themselves. They criticize other groups or soloists for reaching the top charts and then criticize them when they don’t. They hate on people who don’t stan certain things or don’t find Kpop appealing and then hate on the people who do. I feel bad for idols because of how much pressure they are put under to make everyone happy. I understand why so many idols attempt for suicide because it’s so hard to be an idol now. ☹️

[@Smittenhamster]

I fully agree, the video was basically a great summary of everything that sucks about kpop (coming from a multi-stan myself)

[@AUGHHHHHBBG]

Right like don’t get me wrong I love K-pop but fans and anti fans are so scary these days. Like you can’t say u anything bad towards some groups like BTS Or blackpink without them being crazy. Even fans are being crazy towards the idols like the whole thing with this idol saying they finna k!ll Felix at the upcoming fanmeet. Like I always loved different cultures especially Asian culture cus it’s super interesting to me but for people who call me unnie since they found out I am a K-pop and kdrama fan. K-pop and Kdramas lowkey been ruined by TikTok cus my main issue now is these people who have the same issue as obsessive anime fans. Like they aren’t really fans they are trend chasers. People say stuff like squid game is the best kdrama and be crazy if u say otherwise or people who think BP and BTS are the most talented K-pop group even tho that’s the only K-pop group they know. Even now I see Asians struggling with the issue with now we don’t hear people asking if ur Chinese or Japanese now we head “oh are your Korean?”. Or trying to talk to talk to any Asian they meet in Korean (I know Korean due to not wanting to look at subtitles but I’m not calling every Asian I meet oppa or unnie)

[@amphibian2982]

Yeah, I m a K-pop fan but I make sure to routinely check myself and make sure I’m not getting crazy, and I don’t really use the term Stan cause it just has icky connotations for me

[@yoongistwin]

@@AUGHHHHHBBG For real!! I’m Blasian (Black + Japanese) and people always go straight ahead and ask me if i’m Korean. I used to have a friend that was white and korean and they made it their entire personality. I couldn’t even mention that I was going to a kpop concert around them because I knew they would start freaking out. And whenever I see a new argument between Blinks and Armies I immediately just turn off my phone and take a break from social media. People online immediately assume that just because I listen to both, I must be a super fan or a koreaboo. I feel like toxic fan behavior has taken such a huge toll on the entire community that you can’t even mention being a Kpop fan without being called toxic or obsessive in western areas. Also the entire thing with them threatening to kill and injure idols is so insufferable. All they’re trying to do is do their job and these people are going and posting death threats online. You can’t even be a normal fan anymore without negative backlash from both antis and stans.

[@yoongistwin]

@@amphibian2982 Lmaoo same 😭

[@nezkap]

One rule: if you start to be oversensitive over idols life and Kpop itself, then you should have a rest from Kpop or leave forever. At the end it’s just music and entertainment, you should get rest from that, not another bunch of stress. That can be said not only about Kpopism, but also p&rn addiction, video game addiction etc.

[@lunar686]

I think it’s really hard for a lot of people, particularly as most of this stuff is consumed on platforms that are literally designed to bypass the thinking part of your brain. There’s almost no PFC activation when someone uses tiktok, It’s like almost purely amygdala function. Lol like I’m really against constant controls, but I kind of feel like there needs to be some sort of like warning label or test before people can use these devices. But then again like I said, thinking part of the brain not working, so wouldn’t even work lol

[@annievinyl7644]

actually this is true for any fandom, if being in a fandom gives you stress and anxiety then it's not something you should be in Because at the end it's just a hobby but unfortunately hyperfixation doesn't work like that like there were times I wished I wasn't involved so much in somethings but even though I wanted out I couldn't seem to get out

[@orangekun7337]

yea i feel like if it starts stressing you out more than it does relieve your stress it's a great sign to step back and maybe take a break for a while

[@darkreunion7882]

I'm always oversensitive when it touch something that I like because it's a big part of my life and makes me who I am today. But it's true that sometimes I think "why am I feeling targeted? because they don't like something that resonate in me?" Not only in kpop but in life in general, but it's true that I distanced myself from kpop since 2 years ago or so (I only come back when my favorite group comeback just to leave again) because the music was getting too repetitive at one point (if I like something I often become kind of obsessed about it, to the point of being sick of it after, and want to know all about it whether it is music, game, what I read or watch,... then after sometimes I kind of lose interest and try finding my new obsession) and also because of the fans: I couldn't deal with people getting at each others throat every time for one thing or another. I could care less about who's the best or the ridiculous scandale that come everytime a group is doing good.

[@AmIWhatIAm]

yep, I was always on the top if anything happened to the group I followed. It became unhealthy so I stopped engaging in those. I still watch their content but without participating in the fandom activities itself.

[@virys.m.]

I think it's great to see other cultures getting awareness and appreciation in mainstream media. However, there is a difference between awareness and appreciation and fetishization and appropriation. Everything taken to extremities is bad. I enjoy K-Dramas and the romanticization of Korea portrayed in those K-Dramas. But I'm also fully aware that it is romanticized and there are still issues. Having awareness of what you're consuming is always important.

[@The_EclecticSkeptic]

I wholeheartedly agree! As I immersed myself in genuine Korean culture, I gradually came to the same realization as Zoe did: K-pop is fundamentally distinct from Korean culture. It is a product of the factory system, designed and marketed specifically for a Western audience.

[@gabdongipark]

This.❤

[@kayleejayne]

This^^^

[@flamingmooseproductions]

@@The_EclecticSkeptic for what it's worth, I can perhaps offer a small bit of historical perspective. I'm from the US but I lived in Korea from 2013-2018, teaching English in mostly middle and high school (perhaps you've had a similar experience at some point). Whether I liked it or not, I was always surrounded by K-pop. Of course, when I first went there the only K-pop song which had really penetrated the Western/US market was Psy's "Gangnam Style". It was only when BTS and Blackpink came out that I heard rumors of K-pop cracking the international market more broadly. And since I was in Korea I wasn't really able to assess that impact back home. To say that it's marketed specifically to a Western audience may be more true today, however, I don't think that has really always been the case ("Gangnam Style" was definitely a novelty in the US at the time). K-pop is wholeheartedly consumed by Korean youth. Many groups only make it in Korea. On the other hand, by the time BTS gained international success, my students in Korea thought they were "old news" (that was circa 2018 when I left) and were on to newer groups like Twice and Red Velvet (if I can compare girl bands to boy bands). As a musician and music junky myself, I always admired K-pop's ability to embrace so many different (and foreign) styles, from basic American pop to jazz to Bollywood and synthwave (and more or less everything else), yet still manage to produce something distinctly Korean. International markets have certainly been kind to K-pop in recent years, but even something like the random English words so many songs have doesn't necessarily strike me as a marketing ploy entirely. Walk around anywhere in Korea and read signs in Hangeul and one will quickly realize a good number of them are actually English words. I get all the arguments about fetishization and appropriation (with regard to the OP on this thread) but it almost always goes both ways. People everywhere are attracted to what's foreign and it becomes fashionable to show off your appreciation and/or knowledge of it. In any case, now that I'm back in the US I get the impression youngsters here may know more about K-pop than they did a decade ago but it still doesn't seem like it's made a huge impact, relatively speaking (then again, I live in a small rural town so I'm admittedly out of the loop on this). I still think of K-pop as primarily an "in-house" Korean-made and consumed phenomena.

[@kasiapodkoscielna]

and as someone who once spent their every free moment on twitter trying to catch up with everything about idols i can guarantee being just a listener and appreciating „idols” just as artists and in general inspiring people is much more fun

[@vic7694]

i agree, balance is the key kpop is only a hobby and i feel nowadays people an unhealthy amount time on it as if it were a job… 😣 parasocial relationships are real and u can tell it’s the main source of toxicity in kpop fandoms. as long as u people consume media healthily and stop putting their favs on a pedistal kpop can be really fun and even a good influence 👍

[@Sun-du6po]

Same, i did this during the quarantine, downloading all these apps to vote for all these idols. Obsessing over everything they do. But when school started again i had less and less time and i wasn't as interested. I felt like i was betraying them but now I've found a balance. I like to indulge in the drama once in a while but i mostly just enjoy theirs music

[@kasiapodkoscielna]

@@Sun-du6po SAME

[@GaGaObession]

me too!!! It’s refreshing only this year I started listening to k pop again - enjoying the music / performances rather than the constant stan culture

[@sarahb8073]

It's weird to me that kpop idols aren't allowed to date. I mean the obsession with celebrity couples in the US is weird too, but I can't wrap my head around the need for your idol to stay "pure" for you

[@ghazale1987]

actually this date ban its dou to contract. in US contracts are based on number of album but in kpop is based on year. companies want idols to just focus on their career not anything else. its also diffrent from company to company and person to person .we have lots of idols who dated before even in their debut days there is lots of idols who are curentley dating and even married. and even some of them are dating but they didn't revealed it

[@kayleejayne]

And when they do end up dating, fans from each side will send the other idol death threats! So extreme 😬😭

[@emilythestrange2024]

I mean that's one of the main differences between an artist and an idol. Idols sell a girlfriend/boyfriend/bff image. The consumer lives a fantasy and by buying multiples albums, gifts,attending fansigns etc. they think they own said idol. Kpop/jpop idols are big on parasocial relationships and that brings money. Artists sell art and they are not puppets under the absolute rule of a label/agency that takes more than 50% of their freedom. If you think about it this is a bit insane... I would say idol music is like fast food(addictive, popular and if consumed a lot bad for you) and artists music is like good restaurant food.

[@ghazale1987]

@@emilythestrange2024 bro why you are misinforming too much😑

[@emilythestrange2024]

@@ghazale1987 I'm not misinforming and if you think I am then explain yourself

[@Eurobeat_fan]

I haven't fully watched this but the kpop industry is gasoline to so many peoples ED's and it's one of the sources of fuel for my desperate attempts at weight loss

[@eviolus-5660]

Also lately fans keep deflecting any concern over idols weights as 'skinny shaming' and insisting that they're healthy :/

[@neb.9489]

⁠@@eviolus-5660s bc no one’s body is your business. Talking about skinny someone is and diagnosing them doesn’t actually help them in any way. Even if you’re worried, telling someone with an ed that they’re unhealthy or that they’re getting too skinny will only motivate them since others are seeing results. Since you don’t know these people and it’s not your place to comment on their health, the best thing to do is to leave it alone and let their friends and family take care of it.

[@eviolus-5660]

@@neb.9489 I know, I've suffered from an eating disorder myself. I'm not saying fans comments, and especially diagnosing them, is helpful. But when more fans are praising their low weight and weight loss is actively encouraged there needs to be some counterweight and awareness that for the majority of people it probably isn't healthy. It's an awful influence on fans who want to imitate the look of idols hearing how it's healthy and achievable

[@ghazale1987]

guys you shouldn't compare your self with other race , races are diffrent.medically, visceral fat easily gains in races born in cold regions. east asian>whites>hispanics,southest asian>african in this order, the more obese they are , the more likely their health deteriorate. besides being cubby consider ugly in korea it consider unhealthy and demaging excaly like my country. also their food and exercising (like dancing) help so much for losing weight

[@nehalilisays]

I don't know about other groups but BTS have been constantly talking about dieting and their weights in their livestreams. Not all of them are trying to lose weight or stay skinny though. Jin has struggled with low appetite for a long time and has now achieved the highest weight he's ever been because of military service (according to what Jimin has said on Suchita).

[@zsuzsiczel8158]

You are so brave on this but the majority agrees w you and so am i.

[@Smittenhamster]

As a certified multi-stan, I agree with everything said.

[@lunar686]

LOL apologies but what’s the multi stan?

[@christianangelomojica374]

@@lunar686 when you don't really stick with just one group/artist, but follow multiple and appreciate them equally, kind of like that...

[@jaspepperoni4379]

⁠​⁠@@lunar686a multistan is just when you’re a fan of multiple groups

[@greyfox3874]

Same

[@lunar686]

Thank you 😊. Lol there are so many amazing artists right now, that term totally makes sense. Thanks again Xx

[@georgeoust]

As a kpop fan of over half a decade, I would like to say you did an excellent job with this video. You discussed the topics in a based and respectful way and mentioned real actual issues I completely agree with. To answer your last question, while I think kpop obvi has its bad side and effect on culture, exactly what you mentioned in your video, i personally believe it’s positives out way the negatives. Beyond the diversity and helping some people, kpop really showcases the made up gender stereotypes and on toxic masculinity. Moreover, outside of Stan Twitter and tiktok the fandom actually propagates great values like respecting each other, respecting idols privacy and a in general a culture of respect. An example being that kpop fans often clean up the stadiums after concerts. It also creates a culture of “values”? Idk how to express it, but an example is ARMY donating $1m for BLM and flooding the hashtags opposing it. There’s even a video on YT on how bts changed fan culture for the better (it is kpop in general but they specifically talk abt BTS). Most kpop fans I know are great people, who through kpop got to learn abt all these things, be it being respectful to other people different than you, respecting celebs, toxic masculinity and gender norms, etc. Unfortunately hate always speaks louder, and the louder ones are the ones who are noticed most often. Ofc that’s not to say everything you mention is wrong, it’s a real side of kpop, along with the insanely high beauty standards, but I would argue the positives far outweigh the negatives, and I see it in people around me. Twitter isn’t a good representation of people in general, be it abt kpop or anything else

[@georgeoust]

One thing i want to mention is that such activities are not condomed by fandoms and there's even a word for such fans, sessang, which are the crazy fans who will harass idols and disrespect their privacy.

[@oliviadurand2429]

This was so beautifully said. Thank you for this comment. 💕

[@iluvart1482]

amazing comment 💜

[@Arcessitor]

lol bts Army literally goes around calling any and all white people "snowroaches" and trying to bully them off the internet, even when they support BTS. anti-racist. Inclusive. Diverse. Lmao, get real.

[@jadeevans-sm7md]

yeah cause her calling wonyoung a pickme for EATING was so sweet and respectful!

[@NinaNeko4]

Let’s also be real here. Kpop is also popular because it appeals to society’s obsession with youth and aesthetics (even if artificially created); society’s obsession with black culture and “coolness” with the absence of black bodies; sexuality without raunchiness; talent that stems from grueling practice/discipline instead of “nature” (this makes the talent less threatening and easier to enjoy); Asian fetishes; East Asia’s tendency to commodify childlike behavior and aesthetics and society’s “forbidden fruit” attraction to that. Honestly, whoever came up with the business model is an evil genius.

[@unknownfem9450]

People acting cute is just them acting cute. Doesn't mean that adults are attracted to "childlike" behaviors.

[@annie.hi.]

⁠@@unknownfem9450i agree, can we stop calling the enjoyment of cuteness “infantilization”? Why is it off limits for adults to like cuteness?

[@NinaNeko4]

Not ya’ll acting obtuse in this thread… I didn’t mention cuteness at all. I said child-like behavior. If you correlate that with “cuteness” you’re proving my point.

[@annie.hi.]

@@NinaNeko4 in the context of kpop what else could you be referring to? We weren’t jumping to conclusions out of the blue. Context matters.

[@NinaNeko4]

@@annie.hi. I wasn’t just speaking on K-pop. I was speaking on why it’s popular. I’m focusing on the “why” instead of the “what” (I.e human nature and kpop capitalizing off of it.)

[@heartlesslove9084]

The fact that they are called 'IDOL' is itself scary.

[@AUGHHHHHBBG]

Right cus the idea of them being kpop IDOLS end up making people praise them as a god and dehumanizing them

[@novemberskiess1795]

I have had this SAME EXACT thought since I first discovered kpop 😟 ….I love kpop music 🎶 but the fact that they are “idols” is very scary and doesn’t sit right with me.

[@safffa]

I think this was adopted from Japan, where the term idol came about in the ‘60s, way before the first wave of K-pop began. There are also a lot of “Koreanised” English words commonly used in Korea. I wouldn’t take the wording too seriously 💕

[@estherrani9838]

I hate people who mention kpop artists as 'idols'.

[@iamsantaasia]

@@estherrani9838 What does ''idol'' mean. Please answer. Thanks

[@StephanyMoa]

People need to understand that they’re real people too.

[@michyblink]

Personally for me, kpop has been a great source of entertainment since i discovered it, back in 2019. It's what keeps me busy in my free time. I love all kpop girlgroups and I like to keep updated every month with the comebacks. But something that I will never understand is parasocial relationships. For me it's something so absurd, I just don't get it. (I don't want to offend anyone with that, but it's just what I think) And every time I'm surprised with how far so many people take it, putting their idols on such a pedestal, hating other idols and fans for the most ridiculous reasons, like the community would be so much better if some of y'all just chilled...

[@jade9656]

I've been a kpop fan since 2018 and I think there's definitely a line between "good" and "bad " parasocial relationships. tbh it's exactly how zoe explained it. I used to be a multistan, and while I do support other groups and sometimes buy their albums (if I enjoy them enough), I found myself getting more drawn to ateez as their music, lore, and dances/performances are just so much more interesting to me than other groups. now, ateez are very "close" to their fans as they're constantly telling us how much they miss us, not to watch other groups (inside joke), and posting on b.stage. in my experience I've created parasocial relationships with the members due to ateez and their content being my "safe space" but I think nowadays with the way the media works, it distorts people's minds into thinking they actually know the person. there's a difference between having a parasocial relationship and joking about it and actually thinking that you know this person. not all parasocial relationships are bad(just as zoe had explained it) I just think that people are flooded by the media so much that it makes it seem like the content creators online represent the people in real life. like I've gone to many concerts and have met many kpop fans and although we may be "delusional", we KNOW we're "delusional" because we mean everything as a joke and don't take anything seriously. things in general just become more pleasant when you meet fans in real life and actually talk to them rather than talking to people online(especially twitter, that place is a danger zone for any fandom even out of kpop) I hope this kinda put parasocial relationships (the good ones) into perspective and at least helped you to understand a little bit. I may be wrong but think the reason why you think parasocial relationships are so absurd is because you might not have seen or experienced a "good" or healthy one :)

[@michyblink]

@@jade9656 @jade9656 thanks for sharing your perspective, I think I get what you mean about it being your safe space. Although I'm also a multistan and mainly a blink, I personally don't have any. But I've seen many people that have a weird/unhealthy parasocial relationship, so I guess that's why I came to that conclusion. I don't think that I'll ever have one, but I definitely understand if others want to have it, especially if it's a healthy one. Still, I think that this type of relationship that companies promote, is one of the roots of many issues that kpop has, because of how many stans act, thinking that they know their idols, when in fact we'll never really know them. But again, it's just because many stans turn it into an unhealthy thing. As another person in the comments said, I wish it was more about the music and having fun instead of obsessing with your idol, although I know it's not like that for everyone, as you said. For me kpop is a escapism ngl, but hating others, or hating idols, doing things like that is what is incomprehensible for me, and I do think that is because of what we just mentioned. Anyways, thanks again for helping me understand...

[@jade9656]

@@michyblink no problem! I totally agree with everything you just said, especially with the companies promoting those types of relationships. like you, kpop is also kind of an escapism for me as well so I definitely see where you're coming from!

[@nettieg]

As a kpop fan I’m so glad everytime I see one of your videos touching on this topic because no one else really talks about how the culture of kpop isn’t just about people in the kpop community. You touch on this so well and it really brings to light how unlike western music, kpop isn’t just about songs or anything, it’s about the unrealistic romanticized life and image of idols throughout not just kpop media but usual pop culture as well

[@sarahtaavetti]

I started being a fan of KDramas/ Kpop in 2009. All my friends just thought I was super weird. My mom now dances to Bts when cooking and work friends ask me for the latest Drama recommendations… It‘s kinda weird how much the perception of it changed in the past 15 years (god, I am old). Also how much it changed the tourism industry in Korea itself. Went to Seoul in 2011 for the first time. It was a way different experience in 2018+.

[@iasminaraujo7109]

I think it would be interesting to explore how the fact that we have so many parasocial relationship might be connected to how stalking is rising in our society

[@GaGaObession]

yes! And loneliness

[@Franniiv3]

I remember when I first got into K-Pop 'Narsha, BoA, 2NE1, f(x) and SHINee', I read somewhere that K-Pop was a device created to promote and extend the Korean language and Tourism in the country. I remember when SM label CD's used to have a subheading talking about the product being approved by the Korean tourism board. xo

[@divx1001]

Bingo. Which is also where all this "perfect" image comes from. For example, western music and artists don't all have a perfect image because the west doesn't need to sell their culture anymore. But kpop got approved by the Korean government as a cultural export which is why I believe they made perfection as a requisite for this genre. They need to sell a perfect Korea to the world and there are some very clear political motives behind the Korean government supporting the industry so much: 1. To increase GDP 2. to increase tourism 3. To increase public support for South Korea as opposed to the North Korea. It's kind of wild actually 😂

[@ghazale1987]

isn't this normal?! every country like to do that and are doing. for example india with bolly wood or turkey with movie and music

[@felmargego2534]

yeah, there's a reason kpop is considered as SK's "soft power."

[@tylardenson3673]

As someone who has been in kpop since 2008, I think most of this should be directly linked to koreaboos particularly. I have seen it evolve from enjoying music and production value to what it is now... scary saesangs, wanting to imitate Korean culture, etc. Now this is just weird, but this video, while accurate, is kinda too broad. There's a difference between liking and appreciating a culture (and even learning the language ACTUALLY) and whatever roeaboos do. I totes agree that Korean= good is aSCARY level of fanatacism. It really comes down to the mental understanding that these are PEOPLE just doing their jobs NOT idols to be idolized and stalked/imitated. That's up to the individual to distinguish between the two.

[@sofycolt27]

​@Ismojo. You are really good friend. Don't be discouraged, one say your friend will be thankful to you

[@divx1001]

She did say in the video that liking the culture and language by itself isn't a bad thing

[@ludofratta2328]

It's sad how kpop can be a safenet both in a good and bad way. Some people hide behind it and do the worst things, others use it to channel emotions in music and comforting parasocial relationship. Now you can't even say that you enjoy watching a live of an idol AS IF he was someone you know, because people took it too far and act like they ARE their brother/sister, friend or for god sake even boyfriend/girlfriend. I enjoy the music, the flashy thought out visuals and the variety shows (I mean Seventeen are hilarious and balckpink house used to be good), but also studying and having in the background someone is not bad. Does that mean that I would blow off my friends because Jisoo does a live? No, but if I have nothing better to do it's not as bad as it is made out to be just because there are some people that are crazy. They really ruined twitter too man ahahahah

[@ІннаБортняк]

I love Bts,but if we by chance will land at the same airport, and at the same time, I will run away as far as possible,its the worst meeting ever!!!

[@gorettin8220]

your commentary on the parasocial relationship component of K-pop really struck with me. i had known that these parasocial relationships i felt with the idols i like existed. however, i never was comfortable with it because i saw how damaging it was to these idols when fans take these relationships too literally, severely and seriously. however, when you said that these relationships can serve to be healthy by providing avenues of comfort and safety to fans, that resonated with me. the happiness and laughter i experience when watching these idols is the same when i am around my friends. i'm happy when they are happy and really just want the best for them always. they make me laugh when i'm going through a difficult time however, i am not using these idols to source my happiness. that is where the over-dependence, imo, of idols can become damaging and result in loss to personal identity, opinions and self. i hope this kind of parasocial relationship is considered as healthy because when i first found K-pop (and BTS in particular), it helped me with my mental health, self-esteem and self-love a lot.

[@jaspepperoni4379]

Yes I totally agree, my biases make me smile when they are happy and they just comfort me so much. But it’s definitely not like the delusion type of relationship. Like I know I make them money and in return they make me smile lmao. They have helped me so much with my mental health as well.

[@Hong_Hae-in]

Sammeeeee i accepted my pimples my body my big face after meeting bts and now i take selfies before i didnt used to and i never got influenced by k culture 😅

[@Karen-0]

In general: Kpop music are bops, choreo performances are tight and clean, idols are polite and generally espouse (at least publicly) pretty good values (humility, hardworking, etc.) Korean variety shows know how to make you like idols. But the industry as a whole (shady af companies, contracts, taking care of idol health, certainly abuse before debut and likely even after esp now with the fierce competition) and fan culture is notoriously dark and pretty fucked. Kpop is manufactured, stan culture is manufactured as in the industry coordinates everything to cultivate this sort of reaction from people. Just be aware and indulge selectively. And have a life outside of stanning.

[@staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

As a kpop stan I agree with everything you've said. Some people just take it wayyy too far and forget that the idols are people too

[@frfrllll]

I really love kpop music and listen to it every day, but i don't care about idols at all. I mean I'm not interested where were they born, how old they are, what do they like etc. Also I don't understend "streaming MV's" thing at all (c'mon it's just weird). Outside kpop bubble people see me as that crazy kpop stan, but inside this bubble people hate on me cuz I just enjoy the music and have my personal life instead of dedicating it to idols.

[@TartandhimersareQTs]

zoe is so pretty 😩

[@altie9221]

GIRL your growing so fast i literally dont know how is this possible. i remember watching you like 5 days ago with 1,92 mill subscribers. Your unstoppable!

[@angelikazimmermann3416]

And unlimited😁

[@thelying2594]

I love learning about other cultures and think all cultures have their beauties and horrors. But I do realize sometimes I idolize other cultures over my own as a Black girl in America because of internalized hate I'm working on. Fetishization has been so prevalent that sometimes that when I say another person who is from a different race has beautiful features, people think I'm fetishizing when I mean no harm and just appreciate how diverse people can be. The internet has amplified people's views of idols and stars and we sometimes forget they are just humans too

[@dcarrenob89]

I have been a stan of a particular K-pop idol for a few years now. He came to Paris for fashion week and I managed to go greet him at the airport and give him a handwritten letter. I felt so happy and elated I could get his attention even if it was for a few seconds. The next day I tried to get a glimpse of him at the fashion event he attended, I waited outside of the venue for about 5 hours and he never showed up. I understand that he has no obligation towards me and he probably didn’t greet his fans for security reasons but I felt personally betrayed and heartbroken. This was a wake up call and it made me realize how invested I was into someone who might never know I exist. I still enjoy K-pop as a music genre and I still support this idol but from a more realistic perspective and not as emotionally as I used to. This is better and healthier.

[@internaltext]

Korea's Ministry of Culture spends either the most or second most of all nation states in terms of promoting/generating/spreading their culture as a form of soft power around the world. It's something like over a billion USD in spending now (1.5 trillion won as of 2022).

[@CamkirE]

K - pop has been inspiring to me. I first learned about K pop groups, then about other musicians in Korea, then I discovered music groups from other Asian countries. It has only been interesting. Furthermore I have learned about new food, new entertainment and I started to exercise more because my bias exercised. I can see I have to be aware not to use to much time on social media to track what the groups are doing .....and that is sometimes scary to me. And, yes, I have been attacked too, because I was critical online of something my favorite group was doing .....and the hate....OMG. 😱.

[@noraebang_]

the culture is so scary, i have an example with a tweet i made for fun. in like 2017 made a tweet about V from BTS and used the old joke of comparing him to an alien, it was a very used BTS joke back then (not as an insult, but kind of a endearing way to call him). A day later, i surprisingly got lots of notifications. I have no followers on Twitter, i can get at most one like per tweet, really. So I was surprised and when i got on Twitter, I saw SO MANY angry fans insulting me bc they said that "tae doesnt like being called an alien". Like, how was I supposed to know? I just knew everyone compared him to an alien and that it was okay, I dont watch every BTS lives. And surely V wouldnt even SEE my tweet. But here I had a wave of "Armys" insulting me instead of informing me bc I called V an alien and he supposedly didnt like it! My view on kpop fans got a dark turn this day, I wasnt even sure if I wanted to keep calling myself an "Army" and it made me so sad bc it wasnt bc of BTS, but bc of those so-called "fans". I'm still shocked to this day and I NEVER again want to deal with hate culture

[@Micah_Coatha]

Sorry you went through that. Something similar happened to me but I thought it was funny as fuck cause most fans are crazy 😂.

[@noraebang_]

@@Micah_Coatha aw sorry it happened to you too :( for me, i was a lot younger back then, and also was a new kop fan, thats why it was so shocking to me, i wish i just laughed it off 😅

[@sohanicridland9116]

In K-pop they appeal to western markets through imitating/appropriating or just simply using (without appropriation) black people and culture. Of course not every time it is appropriation. But often times it is. Like k-r&b is not inherently appropriation, but it is inspired by black culture. Wether black culture is used positively, or stolen negatively it’s influence on K-pop is undeniable. 6:27 and obviously they are not the only people or culture to appeal to markets worldwide by using black culture, I’m just focusing on that because of the topic of the video.

[@AUGHHHHHBBG]

I understand this. Like imma call out YG for a moment but for every time they make a new group having some problem for saying the N word 💀 like K-pop trainees suppose to learn about things that can be racist too and yet the issue happens to often smh

[@priscilla8068]

I hate how most non black KZbinrs who speak on this topic always leave that out. Cheyenne Lin has a great video addressing those issues tho.

[@Micah_Coatha]

BTS’ rap line have some songs that are a shamelessly copy of Kanye West’s songs. 🤢

[@Hong_Hae-in]

@@Micah_Coatha which ones?? i wanna know 😅

[@Taiminshao]

@Micah_Coatha and Jcole

[@btsarmyengenecaratmoa]

I love kpop music and the fans are nice well most when interacting on the internet but the toxic side is so tiring and draining I had to take a break bcz the toxicity was getting to me kpop actually helped me but after a while it got so bad like literally it became so toxic

[@jaspepperoni4379]

Yeah I used to be really active on Twitter but for the last few months I only use it to keep up with like what groups are posting on their accounts and that’s it. And kpop fans are literally so hilarious on all other platforms (the ones that don’t engage in fanwars).

[@macpancake9777]

I just want the time back, where kpop was… more kpop? It only make sense to people who have listened to kpop before 2020…. I want the timeback where kpop was less popular…. ):

[@AUGHHHHHBBG]

Right these TikTok stans are scary like please the one BTS song they listen to doesn't mean now they should try to speak Korean now like it's scary

[@macpancake9777]

@@AUGHHHHHBBG yes. Fr. I hate it. And all these shippers

[@sdm9019]

The obsession with The idols firstly came from the company's saying that the fans are in fact The idol's girlfriends and boyfriend. If the company didn't say that there would be less obsessed fans. As well if the company's took action When a Fan went overboard and start to Stalk them and break into their homes etc.

[@emilythestrange2024]

And do you know why they're not stopping this obsessiveness? Because this brings a lot of money. Tell me would a casual fan buy hundreds or even thousands of albums just for the chance of a fansign?

[@sdm9019]

@emilythestrange8715 yes the rich ones would. But they can do other things for money like Merch,special events payed entertainment to watch etc.

[@someotheralias]

And when I call the kpop industry out on it (not the idols), the fandom gets upset. And accuse me of being jealous and wanting to be a popstar.

[@Sqooshyfroog]

I never really listened to lots of Kpop but I heard how diehard crazy the fans are and how toxic the fans and industry can be

[@sosoprettysama]

Thank you again for talking about the dark side of kpop you're so brave

[@flyawayage]

not only are the fans over obsessed they also make sure to take down ANYONE who ever dares disagree with their opinion and when you call them out they attack you with blocking or reporting you. Everyone has a right to their opinion, people need to truly step back and rethink their actions also goes when they attack another idol for surpassing goals and not realizing they're too much.

[@genericplantlife]

I am very slightly involved in kpop fandom life (as in I interact with posts enough that kpop stans appear on my feed regularly). I get so surprised and thrown off by how kpop stans treat each other. The absolute vile things they say to others in the name of "defending" their faves, the constant victimizing of their faves and denial that their fandom is ALSO toxic, the constant calling of other groups/songs as "flops" if they don't hit 700000000000000 streams and sales, etc etc. So many stans act like this is all normal behavior because it's been allowed to go on for so long. Anyone who has a slight valid criticism is an anti, anyone who brings up a real existing issue is dogpiled and even doxxed sometimes. It's all so toxic and the toxic posts get so much engagement that it becomes so hard to find people who are just there to enjoy their faves being silly and talented.

[@jaspepperoni4379]

Not but literally as a stan myself, it’s so embarrassing seeing fanwars, like omg let me scroll past this quickly. I’m sorry you don’t get to see the funnier and kind side of us.

[@ballistachicken]

I watched the 'kpop is destroying your brain' video when it first came out, but I am just now seeing this one. It's disappointing to me that I'm not surprised that you were completely swarmed by BlackPink obsessive fans to such a horrifying level. I wish that was more shocking than it is, but this level of obsession has just become so commonplace in our world. I like kpop, but at it's core, they're just people. I wish more people could understand that, and learn to create mental boundaries for themselves when taking interest in idols of any country or type of media. I'm so sorry that those obsessive fans did that to you - it's unacceptable behavior and I hope you're doing okay and feeling safer now. As always, thank you for the wonderful content

[@DJclubsoda_]

Another thing that has bothered me for a while is the fact that some groups pretend to be different from the norm and not like other groups almost punk yet are still part of a system which controls and monitors these idols to a fault. Idk I've just found it very strange.

[@neann6]

I'm going into the E-sports industry, which in my case is largely dominated by Korean players, so I've been learning the korean language for the past two years. It's rough with everyone thinking I'm some sort of koreaboo when I just really want good job opportunities 💀

[@brianwayne5259]

Im blown away by how content ppl are to get invested in something that is so obviously fake and forced and not organic.

[@ViolexiaTnT]

I don't really like K-Pop, J-Pop or anything like that, but it's silly to take all that time to hate on someone, and it's severely unnecessary

[@ataldanb4815]

Sometimes I’m glad I got into K-pop in my late 20’s.. I was able to socialize more.. I have my life, work, and my delulu moments watching kpop videos and lives sometimes.. the best combination FOR ME at least 🧘🏻‍♀️💜🇧🇷

[@HeyDaylily]

You know, I feel like the whole "fan culture" is crazy not just in kpop but everywhere. I was little but I remember people going crazy over the backstreet boys or the spice girls, the only difference is that we didn't have internet or social media to stalk them 24/7. Or when I was told that I wasn't a "true fan" of X artist just because I didn't like every single album they had released. Which is ridiculous. Artists are people, neither better nor worse than the rest of us. You either enjoy their music or not, and you don't neccesarily have to like all the work they put out there, not to mention that what they do with their lives should be irrelevant for you to enjoy their music... Anyway, loved your video and congrats on 2 million!! It's crazy how fast that number went up in just one week :)

[@Frawst_]

since when did 'stan' become the normal word for kpop? i sse that word repeated everywhere do people not know the true meaning of the word? a stan is a 'STalker fAN' it was used by eminem to describe the same kind of fan

[@mkhi959]

it baffles me how proud some people are to call themselves 'stans'. i genuinely think that no one knows what it really means or the origins of the word (eminem, as you said in your comment), because it was not intended to mean a good thing, yet people are using it that way anyway

[@Alexandra-vl1us]

I suppose because there's a notorious fraction of K-pop fans who are obsessed to the point it's become a stalker behavior that can easily escalate to something dangerous. What I don't understand, however, is when a normal fan calls themselves a stan, which defeats the meaning of the word.

[@imsungjaesmelody.thesnorte5623]

This is so true, it’s scary what is becoming of it. I had to leave a fandom because of how toxic and cult like they were becoming.

[@soireestar_]

I used to be a hardcore BTS fan, but I recently realized how obsessed I was with them and how toxic it was. Thankfully I was able to get out of the loop of Kpop and now I occasionally listen to it, but I prefer other genres now.

[@soobiebadoobie]

Big W for you!

[@ghazale1987]

yeah obssesing with them is not a good thing but defintley listening to their songs and recieving their massage its even useful for your life. also watching their conten in your free time will make you laugh and even you will learn some life lesson so use their content in healthy way

[@soireestar_]

@@ghazale1987 I totally agree, and I think that can be a great thing for some people, but I’m working on self acceptance and watching those things makes me want to change myself to fit those beauty standards. That is just how I feel and I don’t mean to offend anyone.

[@ghazale1987]

oh man , maybe you don't know but they were consider ugly in their debut days specially the rapline (even now) i really recommend you to read their lyrics in doolset site (specially love your self trilogy) also they recommend lots of books about self acceptence.i'm also struggling with self love they really inspired me a lot

[@Hong_Hae-in]

But ig i am really lucky coz of BTS i accepted myself as who i am like i am more comfortable with who i am

[@cozyyoshi2156]

Some of the comments on that black pink video were crazy lol. It was so weird since the video didn't say anything bad about the members or their skills.

[@yaeltuttebel]

As a 24-year old casual kpop fan, I don't see any of the problems. All I do is watch MVs, dance practices, learn the dances and sometimes I'll watch an interview. My favourite groups are twice and exo but I can't even name all the members because I just don't care. So I am not part of fandoms or anything. Kpop really improved the overall image of asians. Where they were seen as study geeks in the past, they are now viewed as cool people. Edit; moral of the story: just enjoy the music and the dancing and the music videos. Don't engage as a stan in fandoms or enter parasocial relationships. You have a real life to live

[@felmargego2534]

lmao my fave groups are also twice and exo. that's all. i don't even bother keeping up with other grps anyway.

[@yaeltuttebel]

@@felmargego2534 yeah I really don’t understand these obsessive fans. But then again teenagers are very different from adults when it comes to being a fan

[@nooneasknotell]

i agree with everything, sometimes when i feel im too attach w kpop. i stop follow to their update for like a week. go for a walk, hiking, read, movies and so on.

[@manjistharawat9144]

If everybody sees k-pop as just k-pop and live there life like a sane person then world will improve. Sadly some teenagers often lock themselves in the room and over consume k-pop content making their brain do after damage in the form of hating, biasism, over sensitivity etc.

[@AUGHHHHHBBG]

Like I'm a teen kpop Stan (I been here for a while so it being this big randomly is a bit scary) but some people are a INSANE

[@manjistharawat9144]

@@AUGHHHHHBBG You're the lucky one then ❤️

[@mango000mvy]

I love all the nuances you brought out ! Great discussion !

[@crosem9]

I've been a (white, american) kpop fan for almost 12 years, and while i still love it i also def agree with you in this AND your blackpink video. it's important to talk about these things so that we can all be more aware and try to be better. because you don't HAVE to be a koreaboo or sasaeng to be a kpop fan, but it seems that a lot of people start off that way and need to hear the other side of things.

[@AUGHHHHHBBG]

Right. Plus I think with a lot of music I will say there is actual fans and what I call TikTok stans (basically people who only know a bit of the thing but then act like a fan. Like how TikTok stans listen to a few BTS songs then say they love Kpop and almost like a Koreaboo) TikTok stans I think brings in a new wave of baby stans why are more insane then we seen before which is scary

[@EmelieWaldken]

Tbh I've always found even the concept of "fan" to be weird and too extreme. I might love some artists for their music and stage presence, but I'm VERY aware that they don't know me, that we don't even speak the same language sometimes, and that I don't see their real, everyday life. Dissociating the public persona from the actual person is super important. Also realising that actions about the former can have consequences on a real person's life. I like some stuff in Kpop (bits of the fashion, most of the dancing, and a few bands' musical style), and some idols are a huge inspiration to me as a musician, and also just as a person. And that's that. I wish them ALL a good and fulfilling life, with as little mess as possible. Because that's what I wish to every human being.

[@liarin2999]

I love that you put videos of almost every group I know and follow and those are a loooot of groups

[@Brain_Kandi]

Ive learned a lot about K Pop in the past couple of years😅 i was familiar with the genre and like the music,dances and the music videos are cool... then i learned about the KPop FANDOM!!!! and boy, do i feel horrible for the Idols and how toxic their fans can be. They are humans with needs and emotions! They make mistakes, they arent always "perfect"... but the way "fans" will tear them down at the slightest things that they deem "unacceptable ". Its savage AF and makes me sad. Music and dance is something that is supposed to make us happy and feel good... people get so scary when they become obsessed..

[@ghazale1987]

kpop is so much better without following in fan accounts and being active in communities

[@kimss7299]

I noticed this was a problem as soon as one of my closest friends kept on talking just and only about Kpop, like our entire conversations were about Kpop, because she basically pushed that topic into everything, so annoying, I don’t even want to talk with her now because it feels completely empty and repetitive.

[@max00son]

Honestly, I believe K-pop is overrated. Some of it, I can maybe enjoy but the term “idol” never sat right with me. These singers are very much human and that's it. That isn't to belittle the achievements they have under their belts but they are artists to me and nothing else. They make music and I may or may not like it. I'm not going to worship people because that's just downright foolhardy and stupid. I also believe that “idolizing” these people can definitely branch off into a sort of “celebrity disease” on the other end, giving these dudes complexes. The last thing anyone with fame and fortune needs is a complex. My opinion.

[@Micah_Coatha]

Good point

[@augustuslunasol10thapostle]

I wouldn’t be so anal about the term idol tbh its just the widely accepted Asian term for celebrity it has disconnected itself from the religious connotations of god worship even then despite not using the term in the western world it didn’t really stop alot of westerners basically doing the same thing to celebrities so idk.

[@max00son]

@@augustuslunasol10thapostle ​​⁠​⁠It’s not about being anal of the term only, but in the literal sense. Worshiping these people. They are indeed good songwriters, singers, musicians, dancers, performers, etc. some better than others and I can respect this, as I’ve mentioned before. But worshipping these people (putting them on a pedestal) and even building shrines to said people will lead into an unhealthy relationship that is a lose/lose. Nobody wins. I also agree more with what you said about western-bound celebrities over here on the western hemisphere. That is unhealthy also. I’m confident I didn’t say otherwise. Regardless, I personally believe that both parties involved deserve better. Unhealthy behaviors in idol worship in Kpop can manifest in various ways. Here are some examples: 1. Obsessive behavior: Some fans may become excessively obsessed with their idols, spending a significant amount of time and energy following their every move, collecting merchandise, and constantly seeking validation from their idols [[1]](www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1030470). 2. Social media addiction: With the rise of social media, fans may develop an unhealthy addiction to constantly checking their idols' social media accounts, participating in fan communities, and seeking validation through likes, comments, and interactions [[1]](www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1030470). 3. Inter-group conflict: Fandoms can sometimes become divided, leading to conflicts and rivalries between different fan groups. This can result in online harassment, cyberbullying, and toxic behavior towards fans of other idols or groups [[1]](www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1030470). 4. Cyber-violence: In extreme cases, fans may engage in cyber-violence, such as spreading malicious rumors, hacking accounts, or engaging in online harassment towards idols or other fans [[1]](www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1030470). 5. Forced purchases: Some fans may feel pressured to buy excessive amounts of merchandise, albums, concert tickets, or other items related to their idols, even if it strains their finances or goes against their own personal values [[1]](www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1030470). 6. Emotional distress: Unhealthy idol worship can lead to emotional distress, including feelings of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and a sense of emptiness or loss when not engaging with idol-related activities [[1]](www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1030470). 7. Attachment anxiety: Fans who develop a para-social relationship with their idols may experience high levels of attachment anxiety, constantly seeking reassurance and validation from their idols, and feeling anxious or insecure when they perceive a lack of attention or affection [[1]](www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1030470). I feel that It’s important to note that clearly; not all fans engage in these unhealthy behaviors, and many supporters have positive and healthy relationships with their idols. However, it is crucial to be aware of the potential negative consequences and to promote a balanced and healthy approach to supporting your favorite artist, singer, musician, etc. Regardless, I personally believe that both parties involved deserve better, especially the people who support the K-pop artists. --- My sources: 1. [Frontiers | Breaking up with my idol: A qualitative study of the psychological adaptation process of renouncing fanship](www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1030470) 2. [K-pop and…Religion? How Idol worship took on a different meaning | by Alex | Medium](medium.com/@AAW98/k-pop-and-religion-how-idol-worship-took-on-a-different-meaning-9be55ba25ba1) 3. [K-Pop’s Not-So-Secret Eating Disorder Problem](www.buzzfeednews.com/article/allisonjiang/kpop-eating-disorder-twitter)

[@Yoongispaws]

Like always a great video of you Zoe also i'm loving the new outro (even tho the old one grew so onto me) i'm so sorry you had to deal with those immature blinks. I hope you wont take any of these insults to heart cause those people are just jealous and not happy with themselves so they let it out on others.

[@totokoackermann8994]

Honestly, I've been a Kpop-Stan until 2018/19 probably and stopped then because of the toxicity you mentioned. This spring I started learning Korean, because honestly, I always wanted to, but never got to it, so I was quite happy when my uni offered a Korean course. Automatically, to get used to the sound of Korean again, I started consuming Korean media again, like Kpop or K-drama and so my Instagram feed started to overflow with stan content. I once commented on one post where it said that an Idol was having severe anxiety and insomnia, that I just hope they get the help and support they need, since I was listening to that Kpop group back then. Well, people just started attacking me, saying stuff like "HOW CAN U ASSUME THAT HE NEEDS HELP? HEAVY ANXIETY AND INSOMNIA IS SO COMMON!?" I instantly deleted that comment of mine, since I just never thought that people would get so upset over that. In conclusion, I don't think Kpop is the problem, it's the obsessive, immature or probably in some way mentally unstable people and obviously the industry itself that somehow managed to "sell people".

[@ericsohn5084]

It's really not only Kpop. The whole internet is toxic.

[@spaperboat]

I would like to point out that it's really important to have nuance when discussing this (and discussing anything in general), all of the aspects of kpop that were mentioned in the video stem from Korean culture and society (some of these aspects are shared with other countries as well, so it's not exclusive to Korea). Whenever we discuss these topics related to kpop, the negative side and all of that, we shouldn't forget that kpop is not an isolated phenomenon but rather a product of a whole country and culture.

[@AEChronicler]

I think that, the fans who actually are for the music and less of the content and physical aspect of kpop, are a relatively smaller population. We are literally so small, but I also believe that these fans are also most likely the ones who genuinely stay for the artist because of the music they release.

[@xoxo.pochacco]

It sucks being a fan of kpop in a world with koreaboos. It's hard to find friends who like kpop when so many fans are crazy shippers who think all Korean men are chivalrous angels and that south Korea is some sort of perfect heaven. To me it feels like being a normal, reasonable level headed fan is so normal anymore.

[@halfseoul]

As a Korean-American, I will always be grateful for KPOP for keeping me connected with my culture by pushing me to learn more about Korean history, politics, economics, etc.; and for helping me maintain my language abilities. The achievements of KPOP artists in the global market make me so proud to be Korean and give me hope that entertainment on a global scale will continue to diversify and provide more Asians with opportunities to showcase their talent. However, KPOP becoming mainstream has only reinforced my fears from early adolescence, when I was too embarrassed to listen to KPOP or call attention to my Koreanness because of how many people would tell me how much they wanted to find a Korean boyfriend or girlfriend. And not only do I feel uncomfortable when engaging with other KPOP fans because I have received so many DMs from people or received particular attention in public from people who are only interested in me because I am Korean but I also feel like it's my responsibility to educate everyone around me so that I am not constantly bothered or angered by everything from Koreaboo behavior to blatant racism or Orientalism. (Logically, I know it's not my responsibility but I always feel like I have to try.) I love KPOP so much and I am so proud of my culture and my heritage, but even though I think I have a strong sense of my own identity, I have struggled for so long because I thought that people would never be able to see me for me and would only hyperfixate on my Koreanness and it's made it very hard to make friends and trust people both within and without the overall KPOP fandom; and that is something that I am actively trying to overcome so that I can enjoy myself more freely when in KPOP fandom spaces. Thank you so much for taking the time to address this topic. ❤

[@kimchiquesadilla]

It baffles me how people compares their physic to idols. It's like comparing my Squat to Lu Xiao Jun and being sad about my mediocre performance.

[@luluh2644]

This video was really interesting. Thank you for being respectful all the while speaking truth. I used to be a fan of Kpop in my early teens and became increasingly uncomfortable by the obsessive community. I'm only a casual fan now and I'm not sure if I want to support companies that treat their artists so badly and create situations were they encourage fetishisation.

[@sunset13139]

I'm just a casual fan, but I think anything taken to the extreme without a break is concerning. Everything in moderation

[@ItsTuninha]

I knew about kpop for years, i listened to it but never deeped dived into it until I found Stray Kids. Kpop has always had this great impact no matter if you aren't a fan or not. It's a fact at this point. It's global. Blackpink and BTS are now the best known groups and alot of people who don't even know what kpop is, know these 2 groups. They are on radio , everywhere and did collabs with great artists. Ever since I joined the skz fandom, i noticed this 50/50 sides. The fandom is the most nicest fandom i have ever been to, met amazing friends because of it, we try our best to learn and respect both everyone and the members and show our love to them. But i see of course this negative side to it bc of beauty standards and how much we could achieve at such younge age. Me being the same age has the members makes me think what am i doing with my life. This worry seeing anti fans that try to harm the group in such malice is out of this world. But certain companies don't listen to the fans too. People spend their energy and time to do anything, instead of just enjoying their content and music. Your favorite artist is human just like you. Not a machine. I loved your video Zoe, you always discuss with the perfect words

[@johnnyj2d3]

K-pop music is good, K-pop industry sucks and their emotional marketing it's completely unethical but it is also fans' fault because, as a K-pop fan myself, I'm always listening to K-pop music (well, in general Korean music, not only pop) because I enjoy music, I watch a lot of Korean TV shows to keep learning Korean and because I find it funny, I have a good time looking at those idols, actors, entertainers but I know they have their own life, I'm happy to see that some groups I enjoy listening to are doing well but that's it... I'd never feel that I have any kind of relationship with any idol, I only have relationships with people I meet in real life because to me it's ridiculous to create a bond (different as to find attractive / hot / cute or like someone's personality) with someone that doesn't even know me and someone that I've never met in real life. We have to be conscious too about how much damage the idealization of Korean idols is doing in general, because I've already met K-pop and K-drama fans saying they dream about finding a Korean boyfriend / girlfriend when they don't even know how Korean culture really is, how Korean people behave, how they think, their language, the way they see the world, their priorities, etc., they just idealize them and then when they're able to go to Korea they see the reality as it is: Korean people is just normal people, some people are gonna be attractive to you, some people are gonna be cool for you, nice, kind, ugly, bad, etc...., so they feel they were scammed but no, that idealization it was all in your mind, it's all your own fault! Of course in K-pop music videos and K-dramas they're going to make the actors and idols look gorgeous, of course they're going to create their characters to be charismatic and attractive to people watching, that's something everyone does no matter their nationality. So, K-pop itself is not bad, the music is enjoyable, the problem is about the fetishization Korean industries themselves are encouraging for Western people (because it's working) and how Western people is so vulnerable to those tactics (because people nowadays are feeling more and more lonely). Enjoy music, enjoy dramas, enjoy artistic expressions, enjoy comedians and whatever you want but please stay rational and understand the fact that no one is perfect, no one that you don't know at all is gonna engage on a relationship with you, no one that don't know you at all is neither gonna do anything for you nor save you, do whatever you need and want to do but please don't stay too much time on social media and watching the TV.

[@merrytunes8697]

I've been a KPOP fan since 2015 (4Minute's Crazy was a banger!). BTS' DOPE video was intriguing; I fell down the rabbit hole. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the "KPOP culture".

[@notequalto5179]

It reminds me of learning about Japanese culture from the idealized western view versus what I actually experienced with a Japanese friend. It was fascinating to spend time at their place and with her family. Yes, the anime and pop culture is pretty neat. It was even better to learn things like what people valued, the country's history, views toward religion and politics. Spending so much time learning and speaking the language and doing things like visiting WWII monuments and gave me a very intimate experience of Japanese culture. I think what I appreciate more than the culture itself is friendship. Even if we're people from totally different places, we can embrace camaraderie, and share a nice meal at the table. It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever experienced in life.

[@veronice_ronnie]

Hahah just yesterday I deleted evrey thing of bts on my devices to get ready for my work life 😂 it's super hard for me for I have been a fan since 2019 (4years) am not an obsessed person or any thing but my whole life started revolving around them....wait is that obsession? Hahahh😂 I don't know.honestly I'm glad that i realized the situation but no I need the break for now.and I'm staning them again They come back.borahae💜

[@Hong_Hae-in]

What happened can u explain !?

[@Anonymous__S]

It used to botherr me so much when people told me "Oh I wish I was Asian" as if they implied being Asian would make them look like their idol... Jesus.

[@ichi_san]

damnn this video was so real. the parasocial part of kpop is what stopped me having biases. i got really uncomfortable how i'd spend my days researching the idol's lives in such detail via their tv shows. lmao i even learnt about an idol who had nowhere to really sleep and eat when he was a trainee and how he used to live out of bags until he became a huge idol; and of idols who desperately wanted to go home but could only do so if they won a variety show segment... and then the illusion shattered when i realised how human they were. Kpop is awesome as people were so rude about different Asian countries in my country but the Korean wave helped to educate them, and their impact on music and fashion is cool too but the deeper culture is toxic like Hollywood and Japanese idol culture as well.

[@LouisaWatt]

People looooove being culty

[@Kpopjpop638]

I agree with this video as an Asian America I am Chinese and Filipina and Jamaican I have monolids and “Asian eyes”(as some would say) but people say I am faking my Asian Culture or my (few) Asian features because I like kpop(sorry if I'm not making sense)

[@rftg1793]

I love how you speak about different topics and do your research especially this kind of topics. It would be interesting if you talk about how nowadays kpop companies want young idols to debut, such as New jeans, what the older idols think about it like BoA and Girls generation and how they wish they didn’t debut so young because they have healthy problems now. The companies should be aware of it but it seems like they don’t care.

[@24hrwithzoie]

if you hate this video you are koreaboo really agree with her

[@gyusrealgf]

I LOVE YOUR COMMENTARY VIDEOS!!

[@lemonadey9]

This is why I only listen to the music, not following the group as a fan. I just don’t understand why I must be loyal to the idols 24/7, like I got a life.

[@LaurenHulton]

Honestly, the fact that K-pop is trying to appeal to the global market is what makes me listen to it less. I've been a fan for maybe 8 years now, and I really miss the older K-pop sounds sometimes. It was much more unique, and K-pop was definitely its own genre then. I also feel like the idols were a lot less manufactured then. There's so much pressure on them to be perfect now, almost like they're all Barbie Dolls that sing and dance. I do still enjoy some K-pop and love the dance most of all, as dance isn't something we often see in Western pop.

[@ghazale1987]

this is how generation was made. if you listen carefully each generation has their own sound

[@rikii.s]

as a kpop fan myself, i completely agree with what zoe is saying. I find that if fans truly care for an idols happiness and take comfort in them are completely fine (with boundaries ofc. like guys bffr ur not marrying them. dont send cameras to their house.) It truly does help with a persons mentality sometimes. However, the antis, fan mobbing at airports, stalking, fetishizing, fandom wars (like js get along. if the idols can u can too. i srsly see no point in it. js support everyone's hard work), koreaboos, sasaengs, attempted harm/murder, bullying, body/face shaming, etc. are getting wayyy out of hand. BND members, for example, have been physically harmed multiple times due to the mobbing of fans. im glad of the recognition of idols talents and the diversity it brings, of course, but i feel it also brings a certain manic obsessiveness with it (this can go for any idol from anywhere, but the kpop fans are srsly wild). fans have become so obsessive to the point where they would be so jealous as to consider harm (mental / physical) to anyone the idol even glances at 😭 idols are humans and they should be able to live their life without anyones input. if the do something illegal, it does not get justified just because you like them, like tf. In short, I feel fans these days treat idols more like an object to be used instead of human beings with flaws just trying their hardest to live their dreams like everyone else. (sorry for rambling haha)

[@custardpup6385]

There really is some level of sweet irony about the fact that the people who spend hours and endless effort writing hate comments and harrassing people over their opinions are the exact kind of people that their beloved idols would be disgusted by. Never understood how people who claim to be fans of idols that preach love, acceptance and kindness are always the most venomous.

[@cherry_roxy]

It’s like leave Asian women alone they don’t want to be the face of your unhealthy weightloss😒😒😒

[@SierraSl]

Sometimes fan forget there fav are human… there just like you sweet heart. Treat them how you treat your fellow peer.

[@what_equals_42]

So... Today I learnt about "koreaboos" and "anti-fans". How disturbing. So unhealthy, for everyone involved. I feel like the management companies are at fault here, though. They should not be making/encouraging idols to share personal information about their day to day lives. That's what is creating that false sense of closeness. If these singers mostly or only posted about their work, that would allow fans to engage with them while maintaining a healthier degree of remove or sense of boundaries.

[@JulesSeptember2307]

Never been a fan of K-pop (I didn't dislike it or anything bad, it just wasn't my thing) but I love your commentaries on it. It's interesting to hear different views on the topic. 😊❤

[@lilyevens545]

love you so much Zoe. 4th

[@noemiagoston6156]

It’s also very scary to me how kpop (and even j-pop) artists get sexualised so much like all the dances and music videos are just extremely sexy but then if they date someone let alone have s€x, everyone from fans to random people in public go insane. They have to APOLOGISE for dating like what the actual f*

[@cartoonhyperfixated]

THE GLUE ONE?? Kpop culture harms so much people in multiple different ways it’s absurd

[@kellylima649]

Gal you are BOLD and I’m here for it. I listen to a lot of K-pop and got into a fandom bc I love the music and artists but I still can see all the issues you brought up here

[@kalimbalove1912]

Honestly Kpop stan culture is toxic and cringe. Most of these stans obsessed about the 'idols' image cause deep down they know that the music is shite. Everytime I see a heated Kpop discussion, it's always about the gossip/visuals/basically everything BUT the music.

[@kaiipop4762]

As someone who has been into kpop since 2013 I agree with you, it can be really harmful at its core which is why I’ve taken a step back from kpop and occasionally listen to/engage with it now