...not because I'm a die-hard, biased fan, but because it's cute. It really is. This will be the last I say about it, it's also basically a done thing, but I just have to get this out.
Hi Nina. I tried to set aside my Ohno bias for a while and tried to approach this issue in the point of view of someone not emotionally affected by the whole situation. Suffice to say, I couldn't. Ha!
The surprise came first. You know, the first time I saw the photos and the comments. There was a sudden sharp twinge. There was also a moment of disbelief and doubt.
Then I was genuinely happy for him. Thinking that, "Oh good for you Riidaa! Please be happy!" And I agree with you. He looks and feels different this year in their shows. He smiles and laughs more easily. And he seems more interested in the things that they do. I thought that whatever is going on in his life must be good for him.
Then I was angry. WHY DO THESE PEOPLE WANT HIM TO APOLOGIZE!? WHY? HE DOESN'T NEED TO APOLOGIZE FOR ANYTHING! His private life is his private life. Sure, he's an idol. He has an image, but that image can only "be" because that is how us, fans, perceive him to be. We perpetuate that image and with whatever he does, we try to rationalize those actions to fit into that image. We sort of nurture the fantasy. And when suddenly he doesn't fit the bill anymore, he should apologize? For what? For being human?
Why all the hate? Why all the bashing of some girl based on rumors? Honestly, we really can't say what is true or not just based on the "he said", "she said", "they said" stuff that was circulating in the net. If it is true that she was just using him, then I am feel really hurt for Ohno-san. Someone broke his trust. If they were really going out and he had to break up with her because of the angry fans, then that is just not right. That is just sad and hurtful and heart breaking. Because he deserves to be happy. They all deserve to be happy. I really want them to be happy. I wonder how many relationships they had to end or couldn't start just for the sake of their image? I wonder how many times the fans indirectly broke their hearts? I don't want to see them hating this fandom because of the life they have to give up to just to keep the fans happy. I'm sure they are grateful to everyone who supported them all this time. And I'm sure that they always keep in mind the fans when they plan their albums and concerts. But I wonder if fans also keep in mind the happiness of these five human beings. Human beings just like the rest of us.
And what really makes the whole thing sad is that I think more than the leak, it's the fans who hurt Ohno-san the most. It's us (okay, I'm generalizing here for simplicity). The fans dug up background stories, stalked the girl's SNS, made up theories, said hurtful things to Ohno-san, demanded for apologies, demanded explanations, screamed their outrage and made this rumor an explosive one.
But, Nina, I would like to think that there is an abundance of considerate and kind fans out there to support these 5 boys in whatever makes them happy. Yes. Please be happy, Riidaa! I'll f*ing wear every f*ing pug shirt you make if I have to!!! (Sorry for the f*. :D). Oh, and I hope you're okay. :D
I remember not being able to reply to you because I was so overwhelmed with what I was feeling, and you summed it up in a way that I felt bad that someone was feeling the same way--because it means that it's true, that it's valid:
"And what really makes the whole thing sad is that I think more than the leak, it's the fans who hurt Ohno-san the most. It's us (okay, I'm generalizing here for simplicity). The fans dug up background stories, stalked the girl's SNS, made up theories, said hurtful things to Ohno-san, demanded for apologies, demanded explanations, screamed their outrage and made this rumor an explosive one."
That really made me the saddest and broke my heart.
Hi! Sorry if I made you feel worse. Hahaha! I was also just really sad and hurt and mad all the same time. It was horrible, the feeling that time. And reading the concert reports made it even worse. I still hurt when I think about that.
But I hope its getting better for Oh-chan now, whatever the true circumstances were at that time. I guess we'll never truly know. All we can do is support them! And I'll keep doing that, whatever it is they choose, as long as they are happy. :D
The surprise came first. You know, the first time I saw the photos and the comments. There was a sudden sharp twinge. There was also a moment of disbelief and doubt.
Then I was genuinely happy for him. Thinking that, "Oh good for you Riidaa! Please be happy!" And I agree with you. He looks and feels different this year in their shows. He smiles and laughs more easily. And he seems more interested in the things that they do. I thought that whatever is going on in his life must be good for him.
Then I was angry. WHY DO THESE PEOPLE WANT HIM TO APOLOGIZE!? WHY? HE DOESN'T NEED TO APOLOGIZE FOR ANYTHING! His private life is his private life. Sure, he's an idol. He has an image, but that image can only "be" because that is how us, fans, perceive him to be. We perpetuate that image and with whatever he does, we try to rationalize those actions to fit into that image. We sort of nurture the fantasy. And when suddenly he doesn't fit the bill anymore, he should apologize? For what? For being human?
Why all the hate? Why all the bashing of some girl based on rumors? Honestly, we really can't say what is true or not just based on the "he said", "she said", "they said" stuff that was circulating in the net. If it is true that she was just using him, then I am feel really hurt for Ohno-san. Someone broke his trust. If they were really going out and he had to break up with her because of the angry fans, then that is just not right. That is just sad and hurtful and heart breaking. Because he deserves to be happy. They all deserve to be happy. I really want them to be happy. I wonder how many relationships they had to end or couldn't start just for the sake of their image? I wonder how many times the fans indirectly broke their hearts? I don't want to see them hating this fandom because of the life they have to give up to just to keep the fans happy. I'm sure they are grateful to everyone who supported them all this time. And I'm sure that they always keep in mind the fans when they plan their albums and concerts. But I wonder if fans also keep in mind the happiness of these five human beings. Human beings just like the rest of us.
And what really makes the whole thing sad is that I think more than the leak, it's the fans who hurt Ohno-san the most. It's us (okay, I'm generalizing here for simplicity). The fans dug up background stories, stalked the girl's SNS, made up theories, said hurtful things to Ohno-san, demanded for apologies, demanded explanations, screamed their outrage and made this rumor an explosive one.
But, Nina, I would like to think that there is an abundance of considerate and kind fans out there to support these 5 boys in whatever makes them happy. Yes. Please be happy, Riidaa! I'll f*ing wear every f*ing pug shirt you make if I have to!!! (Sorry for the f*. :D). Oh, and I hope you're okay. :D
Reply
"And what really makes the whole thing sad is that I think more than the leak, it's the fans who hurt Ohno-san the most. It's us (okay, I'm generalizing here for simplicity). The fans dug up background stories, stalked the girl's SNS, made up theories, said hurtful things to Ohno-san, demanded for apologies, demanded explanations, screamed their outrage and made this rumor an explosive one."
That really made me the saddest and broke my heart.
Reply
But I hope its getting better for Oh-chan now, whatever the true circumstances were at that time. I guess we'll never truly know. All we can do is support them! And I'll keep doing that, whatever it is they choose, as long as they are happy. :D
It's nice hearing from you again!
Reply
Leave a comment