Your Favourite Influencer Isn’t Real and Needs your Help

The first 1,000 people to use this link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/edvasian10221
» video credits »
KZbin: DUST - HASHTAG
KZbin: The New York Times - Inside the Daily Life of a Live Streaming Star in China | Op-Docs
» socials »
Instagram/Twitter/Tiktok @edvasian
Twitch / edvazian
Discord / discord
» affiliate links »
Save 10% at YesStyle: ystyle.co/18Qu
filming equipment
Camera amzn.to/2KIWviv
Microphone amzn.to/3h54gvm
Voice Over Microphone amzn.to/3mFw76D
business inquiries only
[e-mail]
Time for another deep dive into a dystopian topic that we’re already living in! Live streaming and content creation are fairly new jobs that are letting people thrive and live out their dreams. Everyone wants to be an influencer or KZbinr nowadays since it’s easily accessible with no barriers to entry. All you need is a phone, a social media app like Tiktok, and you’re 1 to 50 posts away from randomly going viral. Big corporations have noticed this phenomenon and have created ecosystems called content farms - where they hire people and train them to become famous streamers. They can do anything from e-commerce like selling makeup and beauty products - all the way to singing and chatting. When you dig deeper into these companies and their business practices, it gets a little shady. Your Favourite Influencer Isn’t Real and Needs your Help #edvasian

[@elleembee6335]

I find the fan behavior towards kpop idols disgusting. Everyone deserves the right to date, get married, have a kid, and live their life. Trying to keep people from doing that is gross.

[@ayeshakhatoon6345]

I also used to think that fans are to blame for this… but if you carefully look at kpop idols marketing, you will see that they (company and idol) brainwash us to think that we own and have right to our idols …. From there comes th E obsession

[@blehh3726]

Yes same thoughts like why would they even do that its so embarrassing and gross.. they def have the right to do whatever they like..

[@mintea5596]

Some of the Knetizen, I'm looking at you 👀

[@AmIWhatIAm]

True, even as a Kpop fan myself I think it's disgusting behaviour. There's one Kpop artist (EXO CHEN @ 15:41) who is married and first got a hate train from Korean stans (they're the most crazy ones), then he had the first child it went WILD. Now he's going to have a second child. During his last performance, the stans tried to harm him mentally by giving the "black ocean" (no lightsticks lit in the crowd during a hated artist's performance to show no support towards them). It's heartbreaking to see a man who's just doing his job and also trying to have a normal life like us going through sh1t like this.

[@shaakirahhh]

@@AmIWhatIAm I feel sorry for his family as well because they're 100% gonna get targeted because those "fans" are pargul (crazy)

[@koime_is_human]

Mass producing influencers is actually kinda like how k pop works

[@do_haegh6178]

Off topic but I love your pfp

[@koime_is_human]

@@do_haegh6178 stefanya cult member

[@sunb5738]

Yep, tbh as I grew older I had a "kpop break" and now I can barely watch anything I liked because it's soooo staged and fake that it just makes me sad for them lmao

[@TM-wp8xy]

@@sunb5738 oohh that's so true.. even I felt like "uhm..THIS...is what I was into!?!?" And had to rethink my life choices lmao

[@AmIWhatIAm]

Especially now, bruh how many groups has HYBE debuted for 4th gen 💀 they're literally pushing soo much for money they didn't even wait until the idols to at least turn into an adult before debuting them.

[@Pooh_Bella]

Imagine getting upset at someone you’ll never meet in your life for getting married and just living their lives 😩😂

[@pinkanime_cat1460]

"Well they should have married ME!" What entitled people, I swear 😤

[@Yoontee02]

Kpop stans are weird. It's okay to have a celebrity crush and thirst over them BUT knowing that it's a real person, he/she has a personal life,family and friends and lovers. Fans who think they will marry their favorite celebrities just need therapy.

[@hunnydonny9530]

This is how some people really are

[@chubbydinosaur9148]

Gay people: yeah weird how entitled people feel 👀

[@A---BMaitriSarkar]

And then they get offended when you say it on their face . Like what a delusion they live in lol

[@thisisnancybot]

The entitled fan thing is getting really bad. I recently stumbled across a post on Instagram under a hashtag for a musician I like. It was so negative that I wondered if the musician has done something genuinely awful. It turns out they had gone to the musician seeking deeply personal advice and were offended when she didn’t offer them as much time as a close friend would. They seemed to think that buying albums and concert tickets had entitled them to a friendship. Really messed up.

[@pinkanime_cat1460]

Para social relationships are crazy

[@ZephyrinSkies]

The thing is the idol companies deliberately encourage this mentality in fans with their marketing. It's lucrative to have pathetic people who fall in love with their idols that they can then sell merch of.

[@Greybell]

@@ZephyrinSkies that's true. The Kpop industry strives on parasocial relationship to sell their idols. It's got to the point where fans don't see their idols as an artist, but rather a product they can own. If the product is "broken" (basically idols showing their human imperfections), they'll criticize them instead because they feel entitled to have the perfect product.

[@ZephyrinSkies]

@@Greybell Yeh exactly, it fosters toxic entitlement. It's not just Korean idols either, Japanese ones are just as bad. It's media that actively encourages you to be a worse person so they can profit at the expense of their idols and your mental health. Goddamn parasites.

[@j.j.3759]

I think people are lonelier than ever but unwilling/unable to put in the effort to make/maintain friendships, so they cling to these creepy parasocial relationships.

[@crypticshadows]

The Jisung fancall was one of the most uncomfortable idol+fan interactions i’ve seen. (especially as a STAY) The fact that JYP let that happen is ridiculous! Protect your idols, Please!!

[@liyre4189]

The marriage proposal made me cringe so hard, how anyone could think that would be a good idea baffles me. The second hand embarrassment is unreal

[@stacie1595]

Seriously! Being cringy is one thing but showing up to a call in lingerie is something else entirely! So violating. Poor jisung!

[@river4164]

What happened? I haven't watched the video yet so..

[@Mika-nt2eg]

@@river4164 the call is shown around 15:00, the “fan” was being overly flirty with Han, calling him baby and making him uncomfortable, she also apparently had lingerie on as well

[@adettessubs444]

Asking someone to marry you is the least of the worries but someone half n4ked flirting with you is the real issue

[@blackdollie]

The K-pop industry just seems like one big farm in itself.

[@AmIWhatIAm]

Yep, companies selling their albums with at least 3 versions, and then stans buying it in a big bulk to boost their sales, streaming inhumanely to boost views, buying votes to win 5 music shows that are held every week to win trophy streaks... The ones who are actually benefiting are the companies and shareholders. As a fan I'm tired of it and I just gave up on it lol. I stream the songs I like when I want, and watch their content when I feel like it.

[@nanadecarvalho7840]

It is…I once saw a photo of Nayeon from TWICE on instagram where she is taking a cute selfie in a mirror, but you can see part of the studio/ wear house and the conditions of that place really snapped me back into reality. They take cute selfies in these cubicles-like set and I can only imagine where it is located…

[@rhondaarnold5249]

It is, watch the documentary. They starve them, make them have plastic surgery, it's really sad.

[@blackdollie]

@@rhondaarnold5249 Which one?

[@rhondaarnold5249]

@@blackdollie let me research,reply back so I will remember, getting ready for work, 26 hours in 2 days, uggg..

[@shrimpified4413]

Bruh, these girls on a video call with the idols and flirting with them.... "yEs or YeS, Be mY HUsBanD?" CALLING A STRANGER "BABY" PLS 💀

[@adettessubs444]

That's the least horrible part

[@crazyowlgirlcncowner]

When they try to fool the idol into calling them honey or sweetie. Or making the idol say that the idol is the cutest. 💀💀💀

[@shrimpified4413]

@@adettessubs444 indeed

[@nashtienka6736]

IKR? It's so cringy... I could never say that.

[@semekiizuio]

Thirsty and desperate is disgusting

[@thecrabthatnamjoonloves4738]

I wish fans who go to fan meetings would tell the idols how much they appreciate their work and how they motivate them it would be wholesome to see those kind of interactions instead of idols being uncomfortable

[@xiola]

Thankfully many (most?) fans do! Clearly the ones most people see are just the ones that go viral, and often they are not shared by the person who did the fancall because they are embarassed to show their face or voice or their letter was too personal to them (eg. if they say things like "thank you, you really helped me through a hard time" etc. they wouldn't necessarily want to share the call publicly and in the end the nicer fans aren't the ones who want the attention from posting their calls up on twitter). I follow a few kpop idol fandoms and whenever it's fancall day there ARE lots of nice ones but often the most you usually see of the "nice things i want to say to you" letters are silent videos where they are listening to the person and nodding and smiling and then say thanks or whatever at the end, so those videos don't go viral. But yes lots of people just write a nice letter. When they subtitle their video or leave their voice, sometimes it gets shared with people saying "thank you for telling him those things" but it never makes it outside of its own fandom because it isn't interesting to anyone else, you know? Most people wouldn't share a sweet video of some idol they don't know getting complimented, but they might share the bad/cringe ones. I'm not saying the awful ones don't exist but the good ones definitely exist to, I don't think the worst types are the majority by any means.

[@thecrabthatnamjoonloves4738]

That's great! But I wish more of the nicer videos go viral

[@-OneofManyNames]

I would do that honestly

[@user-br8so6hk8l]

ngl, the reason Kpop sells are so high is bc of the toxic "perfect person" idea. that's why they are call idol not just artist.

[@miau6451]

I feel like we could change that if we could begin recognizing kpop singers/dancers/performers as artists instead of just idol

[@nashtienka6736]

being handsome or pretty doesn't mean they are perfect, everyone has their own flaws,they are not gods.

[@user-br8so6hk8l]

@@miau6451 is not about the recognition but the fact idol gets more sales than an artist. The toxic fans are cash cows to them for buying hundreds or thousands of the same album.

[@christinakinch]

@@nashtienka6736 Obviously, but that's not what the kpop industry is selling. They are selling very manufactured skilled people who are held to extremely strict standards, to display the illusion of "perfection".

[@DiogoChris]

@@christinakinch if this ain't the truth. It's so sad 🥺 I can't believe that at some point, I bought into that (without even realizing). Thank God for opening my eyes to see how this was all going down. When I eventually returned to watch content, I couldn't look at a lot of things the same again. And the saddest part of it is that the "perfection" or "idol image" or whatever it's called, is being bought into by not just the fans, but the artists themselves. They all look up to that non-existent image. Man! This is too sad. Nobody wins. Everyone is just falling into this hole; a hole with no bottom.

[@B1tchface22]

Oh god the fan calls make me want to disintegrate. It's not called what it is nearly enough. Idols get sexually harassed and assaulted by "fans" and those in positions of authority ALL THE TIME. Also, if you think buying merch entitles you to break someone's autonomy and blow through their boundaries you're the problem and need help.

[@blehh3726]

Fr

[@DiogoChris]

I'm with u on most of the things you said, but one must also look at the other side of it. Whether it be the kpop artist themselves, or most likely their companies, one or both of these are feeding these obsessions. And when it comes time to draw the boundaries because things are getting outta hand, it's always too little too late. I'm not blaming one or the other (fans or artists), but I think it's right to share the blame equally. I do know that there are some people that just can't seem to take a hint, but at the start of it all, the artist, probably egged on by the company, feeds this. It's sad to watch. Thank GOD I came out of it before I went into the deep end

[@BlurryNova]

@@DiogoChris The Kpop industry DEFINITELY feeds this parasocial relationship culture in the fanbases A LOT. I don't think a lot of idols really get to have a say in that. Many of them are forced to participate in the act of feeding fans the delusion that they have a chance of being something more to these idols than just fans. When you cultivate an environment that lets certain behaviors ruin rampant without consequences, people are going to take advantage of it. A lot of kpop groups bring in fans that definitely are easy to manipulate. The ones with self esteem issues who envy the beauty of idols, the lonely fans who get to feel a sense of worth when these idols spend hours on livestreams telling their fans how much they mean to them, the lovestruck fans who buy into the illusion that those cute, sexy love songs are targeted towards them. Its a breeding ground of negative behavior. I definitely want people to criticize these industries who build these concepts that lead to parasocial relationships, because they are a root cause of it in my opinion. Idols should be allowed to denounce and express their discomfort of fans treating them like objects. They shouldn't need to sacrifice their freedom and anatomy just to have a job they enjoy.

[@ebr7753]

This doesn't surprise me since these companies promote their idols as the perfect boyfriend/girlfriend, BUT they need to take responsibility for this kind of stuff

[@B1tchface22]

@E Br that's part of the issue, it's NOT surprising which means the issue goes so much deeper

[@akiko7298]

I've seen some fanscalls where the fan is like "see he likes me so much!" and I'm watching it going "no honey, he looks incredibly uncomfortable and laughing to ease tension!"

[@bunny-ni4sr]

they out here willfully misinterpreting body language, it's so embarrassing T-T i'm always like omg why would you post that, I would simply pass away

[@guitarnerd106]

As a local human being, that jisung fan call was just horrible I can’t even imagine how uncomfortable he must’ve felt. And the fact that those interactions continue to happen and idols can’t do anything about for fear of getting canceled or it becoming a “scandal” is sick. This is the first time I’ve seen anything like that on that scale. I’ve just recently gotten into Kpop and the first group I started listening to is Stray Kids and my bias is actually Jisung (Han) and seeing that is heartbreaking

[@CrimsonDawn-ou4og]

As a local human being. That's right👏👏👏 we all need to remember we are human Beings who definitely wouldn't want a stranger saying stuff like that to us, knowing we couldn't respond negatively

[@SKZStay1995]

Yeah Jisung is my ult bias in kpop and that just made me sick to see and I hate he went through that knowing he can't say anything and he has anxiety issues. It's just not right

[@margaesperanza]

Those influencer camps in China is so sad, mostly because you can tell these girls aren't taking home most of what they "earn".

[@2okaycola]

It’s china mate are you new

[@questionmark521]

@@2okaycola That isnt a excuse

[@Nejilovesyaoi]

I'm a kpop fan, and all of those uncomfortable fan + idol interactions make me cringe. Those are not the representative of the whole of kpop fans. Those are just the crazy ones. Idols are human and whenever I see fans treating them as anything else it makes me angry. It's why I am not friends with many kpop fans. But the same thing happens with any fandom, there will always be the crazy ones that give you a bad name.

[@crazyowlgirlcncowner]

OMG even the less invasive ones are cringey. Every time I see any fancall on my explore page i cringe. Seeing people ask grown adults to act cute or coerce them into saying they love you is wack.

[@Nejilovesyaoi]

@@crazyowlgirlcncowner oh agreed. It's why I don't go to fan signs or do any of those things even though I've lived in Korea for five years and it would be super easy for me lol

[@crazyowlgirlcncowner]

@@Nejilovesyaoi Honestly, good for you! It's up to us to take accountability for ourselves and stop us from becoming obsessive fans

[@akiko7298]

I've done fancalls before (was NOT a known group which was how I could do it) and it was sooooo awkward, like how much fangirling reaction do I give so he feels boosted but its not so much I look crazy? Then what do I say???

[@gabdongipark]

I think that some atiny did it great with Ateez. One with Mingi just talked about music with him. She was calm and explain slowly in english her appreciation for music. This is how you do it

[@yakeenjafar7151]

I feel so bad for the guy asked to be married it's like he's held hostage wtf is wrong with these people. Obviously if they're famous they're gonna want someone in their league and someone they meet more naturally n you're forcing him to say yes or yes yikes

[@blehh3726]

Fr

[@AmIWhatIAm]

He's Jaehyun from NCT and he's actually against doing "aegyo" (acting cute) and all of these cringey stuff. He's the calmest member in the group imo. If he acts cute one day it would be because there's a competition going on 😂

[@yuki97kira]

Exactly.. Im always so pissed at the crazy fans and would always say that even if the idol dont date and marry.. They wont be the next in line to be their partner.

[@straww_berryyy]

@@AmIWhatIAm i am praying sm free my guy jaehyun of ever doing ageyo 😭😭

[@ebr7753]

This doesn't surprise me since these companies promote their idols as the perfect boyfriend/girlfriend, BUT they need to take responsibility for this kind of stuff

[@NiftyMissi]

This video is Edvasion's way of telling us he isn't real and needs our help

[@imaginieiota6298]

Fr 🙀🙀🙀

[@nasidaikidali]

😱

[@6Euphoria6]

💀

[@LeesDigitalDiary]

What's worse abt kpop is that these days idols are debuted so young , like way too young- they miss out on so much of their childhood. And the fans are soooo so creepy omg

[@kaepiper]

there’s been young idols in the past too but it’s def becoming more common which is extremely concerning (it always has been)

[@gibsonn2018]

And the thing is regular Korean teens aren’t allowed to have jobs smh

[@ReiAnikaAyanami]

​@@gibsonn2018 you might find it surprising, but getting part time jobs as a minor ia really uncommon in asia. for example, "part time jobs" (for minors) isn't a thing in my country.

[@amalilconfused]

Sometimes I feel worst for male idols that are forced to chat with female sasaengs/fans that wear langerie and are borederlime SH. For female idols, it’s easier to spot creeps but for male idols there’s this bias that they can’t be harassed b fans.

[@tokyoyoongi5538]

So true! If a guy turned up to a girl group video call shirtless, the managers would get involved immediately.

[@cai0409]

Did you watch Reply 1997? The main character (Apink’s Eunji) was a borderline sasaeng and they just normalized that behavior. I know they were referencing fans of HOT and Sechs Kies but they never even implied that the behavior was wrong and people STILL act like that.

[@ReiAnikaAyanami]

y'all remember that weird jungkook sasaeng who wasn't wearing pants? 😭

[@NejiRaven]

​@@ReiAnikaAyanamiyo what 💀😭

[@TAKIZAWAYAMASHITA]

the lady making sales of everything is literally what happens to kpop idols look at bts for example and all kpop idols, fans are near cult level mentality how they will buy anything an idol wears or is even seen with or around even if the product is bad. The bt21 bts accessories like the wireless mouse which is a reskin of a low quality blutooth mouse and it has bad ergonomics no addtional buttons etc yet costs as much if not more than a real high quality mouse or gaming mouse. Look at Jungkook anything that guy has gets sold out. He literally has made many people billionares overnight because a fan saw something he used or wore randomly he doesnt even have to endorse or say buy this, the fans just do it because he had it around. He could literally have an unused disposable straw next to him and fans will somehow dechiper what company made that straw and then within an hour xyz company has all orders sold out and is wondering a few billion dollars came from in 0.3secs. Once every western company truly picks up on the cashcow insanity that is kpop fans they will try to get kpop idols everything to advertise

[@TAKIZAWAYAMASHITA]

@снαї lol wut kpop isn't gatekept that's only western fans that do that bs lol😂🤡🤡🤡🤡 xenophobic?? When? Lol kpop has and is still introducing forgien idols there's even a few groups that have western members black and white folk. Most of the world including Korea actively encourges everyone to enjoy adopt and embrace their culture. Only the USA western fans want to gatekeep shit which is why you have these "hair controversy" would be hilarious if we Asians gatekept everything we have done 😂🤡

[@OnesFan1]

The fans are the most scary thing

[@stacie1595]

It really is like a cult! Like BTS endorsed a midsized luxury SUV and the preorders were so insane the factory was backed up for 6 months! Like 10s of thousands of dollars because BTS endorsed it! That's so crazy to me. And don't get me started on the luxury massage chairs, air purifying units, artesian plates and chopsticks. Like people could be out there with an entire home completely filled with only products endorsed by BTS.

[@Vvvxxloxe]

It's not even a kpop thing...it's more of East Asia... especially China..celebs their can endorse 40 brands in a month...

[@HanQ28]

That’s why I don’t buy anything from kpop groups anymore. If I really like their music, then I’ll buy their albums (digital) to show support. Otherwise I just listen to them freely online. I refuse to buy the 10 versions of physical albums that have different themes or different members’ faces on it. Kpop is a money-burning pit if you get into a “collector” mindset. Don’t waste your or your parents’ hard-earned salary, unless you’re super rich and you just don’t care.

[@samsammie4134]

The jisung situation is literally mortifying she’s literally trying to mommydom that grown ass man she has never met😭 and the y/n fancall made me physically repulse what the actual shit is wrong with people 😭😭😭

[@herroyalawkwardness954]

During Stray Kids's comeback with Oddinary last March, I actually had an opportunity to purchase an album that might give me a 1 in a thousand chances to get a 1:1 video call with one of the members if i win but I intentionally purchased the album in an official shop somewhere else (sealed, still shipped directly from korea and is counted on the charts) because "IF" i won, I don't think I'd know what to do on that video call 😭 I still shake when I press the call button on my phone, how can those people be so shameless in those video calls just baffles me.

[@bubble-1]

I feel sooo with you!! 😂😭 I even did the same with an ateez album hahaha instead of buying one for a fan call I went for lucky draw where I "only" had the chance to win a sign polaroid (I didn't win one tho TT) like even the slightest chance to maybe win a fan call just scared me haha but there are some ppl out there who think they can and should do anything they want...

[@a1exneedsahamdleplease]

I think I’d just reverse my camera and show them memes (not ones with them in it just like cat videos or some shit)

[@sarroumarbeu6810]

That type of entitlement is what makes so many idols victims of stalking....it's insane

[@turtleby]

jisung on the outside: 😄 jisung on the inside: 😐 tf u calling me baby for

[@TheOriginal_Unaleska]

More like internal screaming "someone save me!"

[@saraghhh]

It’s like how old Hollywood stars were treated. Forced to divorce if they were married (Marilyn Monroe) or told not to have children (Joan Crawford). The level of control is super creepy.

[@ZephyrinSkies]

Idols are commodified stalking. They present you with idols to form one-way relationships with and sell you things that feed into that delusion. They also empower stalker jealousy and possessiveness as part of the service. The music and art can stay, but humanity is better off kicking that psychotic BS to the curb.

[@wellthisisinteresting4912]

Exactly my thoughts. ‘Idols’ capitalise off of para social relationships

[@teddybear127pow]

The inside joke with nct fans is that they don’t really like us and considering that the majority of fans they actually get to interact with in fanmeet or fancalls are the same handful of ppl that can actually afford hundreds of albums and that act way too familiar and creepily entitled with them bc of it… I don’t blame them. I wish they got the chance to interact with an actually random selection of fans bc most of us are normal ppl that want to tell them how proud we are but with most kpop groups in general, they really do get stuck only interacting with a handful of rich, entitled weirdos.

[@straww_berryyy]

Like, yk how we NCTzens have that inside joke that we hate each other a lot? I think that is also because we are the same handful of people being really cringe when the meet the neos

[@oathforblessed]

Lmao, I'd bet Jaehyun hates nct fans))) I get him tho

[@user-xb5rw6bg2c]

I hate how kpop idols aren't allowed to date or get married. Everyone deserves that right

[@frog5890]

Same

[@sageshaney]

they're allowed to date but sadly they have to keep on the down low and hide the person they love and pretend to be in love with some creepy fans. Saying they're allowed to date is just meant to keep fans calm

[@temp_unknown]

I like to think I've grown out of my parasocial fixations but I know I'm not perfect. I wouldn't ask an idol to marry me tho, this ain't manhwa💀

[@abbey5899]

Working normal customer service was stressful enough that I never want to do it again. Nooooo thanks on the celebrity influencer lifestyle.

[@creativia6639]

I agree. I found it extremely hard to be nice and kind and patient while keeping a smile on while working in hospitality for 8-10-12 hours at a time, so doing that publicly online for everyone to see and judge would probably push be beyond my limits within a year or two. I respect everyone who can do it, I would not be able to make such a sacrifice for success. In the end I quit customer service too, it was giving me a constant headache after 5 years.

[@honeybeeami2654]

I think especially I’ve seen during and after lockdown, so many people have this insane entitlement and impatience. It’s why I’ve seen people often stress how much more careful you need to be when pursuing a hobby related to the internet

[@crownedoll]

Lookism had a whole arc about this, makes me realize how incredibly written that comic is…

[@djuliescaff5939]

Omg thank you I thought the same thing!

[@voidnoidoid]

It’s well written but each arc gets longer and longer lol. Rn they’ve been beating each other up for MONTHS

[@A---BMaitriSarkar]

@@voidnoidoid 😂😂😂 . Btw did u read get schooled? It's really cool tho

[@jennifermccollough6576]

As an older woman...sort of....I can't stand the way k pop fans treat the groups. I love the music and their energy. Its gets me hyped for the day. But stalking them and being a creeper is just wrong. They should be allowed to have a life outside of preforming. I've seen a few concerts here in Chicago and have had a blast. Best concert I've been to is Epik High. The fans are chill and we all had fun without making the group feel creeped out.

[@frog5890]

Remember not all of us are like that sadly the negative and toxic fans are the ones you hear about

[@jellyrolly]

That’s becuz epik high fans tend to be of a higher age demographic and have many male fans too. Sorry not sorry, but younger female fans tend to be the craziest

[@sarroumarbeu6810]

The no chill attitude sounds like a nightmare no wonder idols rarely get out or do anything outside of their tight work related circles.... they're stalked relentlessly

[@EfeFlet]

@@jellyrolly also can we really consider Epik High kpop? They're rappers and not idols after all...

[@burntsolis3942]

Because it's often the crazier fans who are willing to spend time and effort to meet these idols. Even as a gen z, I am amazed at how fan groups keep track of schedules and votings to support or boost the ratings of their idols. The whole industry needs a reformation

[@CLUMSY101]

"Have a good day, Try NOT to be DUMB" Those words are needed for today's society.

[@thatgirl1947]

Sure there is a chance that you could date your favourite idol, but you’re more likely to get struck by lightning. And to act like your favourite idols can’t date or get married because there’s a minuscule chance they’ll meet and fall in love with you is toxic as hell. Idols are also people who deserve to have normals lives and relationships.

[@corilewis]

I’ve been SO confused by the crystal scooping lives but this content farm theory sadly makes sense

[@cherub-angel]

I’m blaming all my life problems on chain mail I didn’t forward in 2008

[@C0LD0M3l3TT3]

I skipped through every fan call I could not bring myself to watch it 😭😭😭

[@Miss_understood]

Honestly same 😭😭I’m still cringing now just imagining what was happening

[@afranurtasdelen]

I just don’t understand how fans think they own idols, so idols even have to apologise for "betraying" their fans when they date or get married. They are human too, god it’s so frustrating. You are not related to them, you don’t know them personally, you don’t own them and you are NOT dating them! the audacity to act like they betray you or break your trust because they try to have a normal life, its mind blowing

[@TheWolfie234]

The fact social media is making us forget that we're people and the people who make content ARE people is alarming.

[@fitheflea9091]

the worst thing i've ever seen in a fancall was when that one person asked wendy from rv if they could be her DOG. girl looked horrified lmao.

[@gothicxromantic]

This is like the LA content houses but less frat house and more… factory lol

[@aminhoacid5921]

Yeah, I used to be such a huge k-pop fan but now I just think "wow, this is what I used to watch?" The mistreatment of idols just completely makes me overlook the positive aspects of k-pop like good music, production quality, etc. I can't imagine how hard it must be pretending to be happy in front of the camera and not even having the outlet to let your frustration out without it becoming a "scandal"

[@gerlyrivera3974]

The fan behavior with idols is disturbing. Idols are humans too so, treat them that way. Toxic fans need to stop controlling idols lives and get their own.

[@user-sl2ed4sm1s]

All I’ve learned is that people always have more money than I think.

[@maybemablemaples2144]

It not *just* the fans with this behavior it's the companies that continue to allow and foster this. Idol culture in general is one big human rights violation after another and the internet doesn't help this one bit.

[@JamesStJake]

The Jisung’s clip made me go « eww » out loud. What’s interesting, and depressing, is that it really works on the basis of the commodification of the influencer/idols, from both the employer/content farm/label and the fans themselves. The entitlement from some people when it comes to celebrities is pretty scary.

[@moira4784]

I do have to say as someone who has been listening to kpop since the early 2000s, things are slowly changing. Probably because of globalization the fandoms get diluted, so you have fans who believe the artists should be allowed to date, get tattoos or even smoke etc, all these were taboos in Kpop and idols hid them. So nowadays opinions are always split with international fans getting happy when an idol starts dating, whereas some knetz and a few delusional international fans still believe being perfect is a requirement of the job. So it will be interesting how things shape as more international fans become the bigger revenue avenue for groups.

[@thenameisalie6]

it's so sad to see "fans" overwhelming "their " stars. Doesn't matter whether it's to get papparazzi shots or by asking uncomfortable questions. Just leave them alone, they are people like you and me who just want to live their lives. I'd never want to be famous for this exact reason.

[@ebr7753]

This doesn't surprise me since these companies promote their idols as the perfect boyfriend/girlfriend, BUT they need to take responsibility for this kind of stuff

[@kayseacamp]

The toxic fan culture in KPop is soooo concerning. Like I love the music but I know full well it will never go beyond just being a music fan for me….but soooo many others just take the parasocial aspect tooo far. To the point that I personally would not call them “fans “ because true fans want the artists to live happy healthy lives. And not be controlled by companies and legions of insane obsessive stalkers.

[@justmejenpolar]

I was born 1985 so when i was a teenager, social media didn't exist. Working with young ones I realized a trend: nearly all of them want to become a twitch or youtube star, an influencer, and dont want to work in a "standard" job anymore. Its getting harder and harder to find new staff that is willing to work the hours for the money companies offer them. they dont have experience, knowledge or the motivation to actually prove they are worth the money they want. I do also think that a job should pay you enough so you can live, safe up as well as get appropriate money for your responsibilities at the job. (not to mention great coworkers, save environment and fun at the job that also play a role) But they demand a lifestyle that is not real. they watch the videos and dont know anything about the hard work that needs to be done to produce one. And for ever succesfull one there are millions who aren't. I hope youtubers share more bts scenes so the young ones can get a "real" picture of the job they want to get. So as always: thanks for talking about that topic! :)

[@This_Is_Just_To_Say]

I think that there is also an element of many standard jobs being terrible and exploitative. Lots of standard work normalizes workplace abuse and harassment, don't follow safety regulations, legal regulations, ethical regulations, overwork, unpaid overtime, chronic and deliberate understaffing, high and unrealistic requirements for skill and experience, unwillingness to train and invest in new workers, pay disparities, a tendency to prioritize share holder payouts over workers and quality of product/service, and a whole host of other problems. The standard capitalistic industry, largely, is failing because it is not sustainable and the consequences of unsustainable practices are finally catching up to it, and it refuses to update to realistic, sustainable practice. That's the "real" picture of the jobs you're advocating that young people pursue instead. Blaming young people for the industry failing is just ignoring the actual reasons it is failing-- and it is also failing to recruit young people. Sure, success by social media is a long shot, but success by standard jobs is also a long shot these days. A lot of young people are preferring to fail and struggle on their own terms, and I don't blame them for that. A standard job that pays enough to live, save up, appropriate compensation, with great coworkers, safe environment, and fun, meaningful work--that's impossible to find. That ideal is just as much of a 'not real' lifestyle, particularly for new, inexperienced workers. That's not to say that being an influencer is a stable career path (it is not), but standard jobs aren't exactly stable or reliable either.

[@gina4437]

Lol ok boomer

[@elliotoliver8679]

@@This_Is_Just_To_Say gosh, too many words for me. I figure being a k-pop star is really really hard work over many years, that's why I respect them. Also there are k-pop companies that treat the kids like poo, it's not just American corporates.

[@This_Is_Just_To_Say]

@@elliotoliver8679 you don't need to read it if you're not inclined to. not sure why you're replying to me over a comment you didn't read though. obviously 'standard' jobs being rife with problems is not an america only problem, it's very wide spread.

[@lumik.l4693]

honestly good for them if they can support themselves by being freelance, most jobs are slave work

[@jia7969]

The jisung one was literally so uncomfy my heart aches for him :,(

[@itsturt]

ed if you were a robot trapped in an ai generated kpop crystal scooping factory i would still stan

[@skyybanni6667]

those fancalls omg i feel so bad for the idols i was cringing so hard 😬

[@cantrelate2180]

That fancall was the most uncomfortable fan interaction I ever witnessed ew

[@Onyx516]

I physically had to pause the video so many times with those video calls bro THEYRE SO EMBARRASSING OMLLLL, like are they trying to go for a y/n moment or....? Cause they just look mad silly

[@i.b.640]

Yeah. In German there is the verb "fremd-schämen". It translates to being strange-ashamed and means you feel shame because of somebody else's Actions almost as if they were your own. That behaviour is awful.

[@sssenem]

social media should be a place where everyone can enjoy themselves not a farm :( im so sad about where is the situation going rn

[@simply_geri]

generation has truly changed. before being a content creator is frowned upon & ignored by big companies... now look how things turned. Now, everyone is addicted to content creating / creators. Big companies also want the hype & clout. And i also hate the toxic fans that feel they own their idols.

[@2okaycola]

Yep. Now everyone does what I did in a horribly tacky way; you can’t sell products well if you shove them in people’s faces like this!! My version is superior & I will continue however I can

[@brigc7755]

Dude I think it was on a Yeonjun of TXT fancall (I don't know if it was in fact Yeonjun tho) that someone told him to BARK ;-;;;; Like imagine having the opportunity to talk to your idol for one minute, and instead of asking smth innocent like "what's ur fave movie" "oh really? mine too!" you ask them to BARK pls kpop stans need help

[@burntsolis3942]

I find that the parasocial relationship that kpop agencies like to put between idols and fans uncomfortable. All these boyfriend POVs and them saying 'I love my fans' every 10 minutes is bound to cause delusion in people. I just like seeing them perform, even up to the extend of participating in shows but definitely not to the point it feels like an otome game.

[@gmw-g6880]

I see so many tiktok lives of women, usually chinese woman, who seem to be in weird job situations. they get to make lives about their products but something just feels so off. I hope they’re okay, they’re so sweet to the viewers

[@TerraDiASMR]

So glad I came across your channel. I’ve been binge watching your videos for the last couple hours. Love your sense of humor

[@CocoRegardless]

Was not expecting this crossover, omg. Really like your asmr btw☺

[@TerraDiASMR]

@@CocoRegardless ☺️ thank you very much

[@yessenia6937]

This video reminds me of the webtoon lookism on it's fourth affiliate arc.

[@altalune3503]

I WAS LOOKING FOR A LOOKISM COMMENT HELP 🌝

[@capucnechaussonpassion14]

Having to deal with fans seems just soooo cringe, impossibly spontaneous, exhausting... Meeting so many people daily that you don't know but they think they do know you because they project so much onto you... Having to be sheltered and not being able to go anywhere to protect yourself from them... Being forced by managers etc to regularly meet hundreds of people in a row and fake interest for them trying to be nice when the next second it's already another person and when you know each of them expect so much out of you... Would be immensely detrimental to your mental health even after a few days.

[@ExquisiteBoba]

Seeing Han be so uncomfortable made me so uncomfortable too x-x

[@emmerinebotha372]

This is also shown in Lookism, the Korean WEBTOON, the chapter is called (Affiliates). Seriously scary to be involved and yet they can make it look so luxurious.

[@wetblankkett]

YEEEES I THOUGHT THIS SOUNDED FAMILIAR

[@emmerinebotha372]

@@wetblankkett How good is the whole webtoon tho! The way it takes on so many issues and societies hidden under the surface ＼(^o^)／

[@lanceylikelino]

im never forgiving the person on the call with jisung.

[@vault-tec8601]

off topic but can you watch the twilight zone episode "number 12 looks just like you" I love this episode and it's pretty crazy how it relates to things nowadays.

[@gailinax]

“Accidentally turn 25?” 💀

[@bramiwami]

Hey, Edvasian, Im currently on a very invasive treatment and binging your videos like a maniac. It helps so much to take my head off the pain and discomfort of the situation. Thank you so much for your content! All the best for you❤

[@yeogurt_444]

hey ed! never stop making videos. i started watching i think 2 years ago when u were still drawing. i love ur content and i want more drawing haha.

[@taurielelf6886]

OMG that puppy was gorgeous, I love your content, I don't always comment, but this one with the guy from Stray Kids, the poor kid he has really bad anxiety, I can't believe these girls totally crossing the line, a stalker like this should be prosecuted, no one needs that crap

[@strangersontheinternet]

That is absolutely crazy. Is this mainly a chinese/korean thing? I was really shocked about the kpop and kdrama industry when I first discovered it because there is just SO much content that everything HAS to be mass produced.

[@IHopeSoM]

Ed, I was immediately happy the moment I saw you chose to cover this topic. I love hearing your perspective of things and content farms are hilarious, the food ones lol…And I like seeing what hair personality you got going on ;)

[@kariissmol9172]

We ARE living in a dystopia.

[@fightvale57]

I BOUGHT SOME OF THOSE CRYSTALS BECAUSE I WAS SHOWN THESE.Your bias girl is who I got them from. When she picks a phallic shape like a mushroom of pillar she says 'dont stick this anywhere' EVERYTIME. I was hooked!

[@mixtapebyx]

Your bias crystal girl is also my bias. She makes jokes about sets of crystals. Like two spheres and one tower is a set. Then people get crazy on the comments. But her happy energy give her consistent large amount of viewers.

[@nazmilao4273]

Whenever I see the crystal scooping shows, I imagine countless mountains razed to harvest the crystals they’re selling. Idk, there is no way all of the crystals sold are all real

[@shaakirahhh]

Bruv, seeing those pargul (crazy) fans with their interaction makes me have second-hand embarrassment. They have no empathy whatsoever and they're acting like they own those artists (Jisung, Jaehyun, Chen, etc (in the video) and that they owe them Plus I feel bad for whoever they marry as well because they're going to get targeted and have no privacy anymore

[@blump5080]

Why does everyone think that the only options are 9-5 office job or being an Internet personality? There’s so much in between to explore. I feel like the world of influencers just shows how uninspired people are feeling. Yes - it’s possible to find money and notoriety this way. But it seems that you have to sacrifice real relationships and pursuing genuine interests so that you can spend all your time PRETENDING that you have those things…..

[@airari24]

I'm unimaginative. What are some ideas apart from Parr time work and creating your own (online or in person) business? Freelancing?

[@blump5080]

Gardener, charity worker, taxi driver, carer, barista, postal worker, firefighter, journalist, bus driver, bar tender, construction worker, paramedic? Just a few off the top of my head. I think that there are plenty of jobs that offer flexibility in terms of working hours without necessarily having to be totally self employed so you can still enjoy some stability if you seek that :)

[@SonoNariFiorewithGrace]

I feel sorry for those guys during those fan calls, yikes Talk about red flags and embarrassing. Someone should’ve talked to them out of doing that. The cringe oml.

[@timetravelkitty425]

How does it feel to know that you are one of those videos I watch so I don’t get bored while I do the dishes😝 Or sweeping or showering lol we’re pretty much doing anything. It’s so true peoples attention spans are terrible now, mine included

[@najmaht.a.1314]

PLEEEAAASSEEE THE SECOND HAND EMBARRASSMENT I GOT FROM THE FANCALLS 😭😭😭😭

[@Miss_selina01]

Ed Brings us so much insight and to be honest, he’s one of the few KZbinr I actually really enjoy💗 Thank you for your content!

[@fightmefreddy6144]

In regard to the comment on how people set out to be content creators I teach middle school and I get a huge handful of kids who say they want to be influencers But have yet to understand the actual work it takes to keep up that lifestyle It appears easy because people seem to be enjoying what they are doing but that is only the side that influencers typically will allow their followers to see

[@violetmeliora763]

The crystal scooping people are part of a MLM (multi-level marketing scheme). I hadn’t considered them to be part of a content farm but considering the overwhelmingly unethical behaviour of MLMs, I wouldn’t put it past them. Disgusting

[@1961-R.A.B]

💀 not my old oomf showing up (jisung fan call)

[@HaleyShay]

omg the jisung fansign was so hard to watch… i feel so bad for the idols sometimes cus i would have no idea how to react

[@CerebralTombstone]

14:55 I don’t even know who that guy is, but he looks so uncomfortable! Bless him, he’s trying so hard to be polite!

[@Kiiiiiiiie]

That's Han from stray kids and yes, he really is a very very nice guy to not have blown off, rightfully so, at a woman that was basically harassing him onlive.

[@fuzzydays5699]

It’s been such a long while since I’ve kept up with NCT news that I straight up had to take a few glances to realise that the second video fanmeet was of Jaehyun. God, I hate it when fans do this. If you wouldn’t do it to a stranger, you ca not do it to your fave celeb/idol.

[@iz3972]

I'm so happy, when I heard "you've got two choices" my brain automatically went "yes or yes". So nice not to be only one with k-pop brain rot ^^''

[@SuperLadyDanger]

Feeling called out pretty hard at this beginning! I started playing this video while washing dishes!

[@Canadian_K-Pop_Mom]

I felt so bad for Jisung ...that girl was out of line. All I want to do is bake them cookies and tell them they are doing a amazing job.

[@joeisafreakk]

You have two choices, no or jail.

[@gaesimp__]

"they raise hamburger patties and chicken nuggets" I AM DYING

[@bestduelistever2374]

I love this KZbinr lol

[@bellazhu630]

Same 😄

[@InTheVoid180]

Same

[@abbyz13]

The episode of Black Mirror called Nosedive is like this! People rate you irl based on every interaction and it affects your status which everyone can also see. It’s very interesting.

[@crazypharmacist5877]

Your manager is so adorable😍 Thank you for your content!

[@Tokyo_Rose.]

Hey Ed! You're looking well 😊 Thanks for posting 😀❤

[@tamahoshio]

Love the video! Tbh this kinda stuff freaks me out just as much as it intrigues me

[@princexenon]

Bro you are really working hard on finding info about this kind of topics🔥 You nice keep going and don't stress out just take care😁💜

[@englishwithkristin8962]

Ed I adore your videos. I totally understand what you're saying.

[@MissKittyVideo]

Ed I love your show!!! Stumbled across it and watch a lot...Great luck to to you...Love the white hair!!!!!