[KPOP] V.A - Things That Make Me WOW

[nya88_red]

Quote: "till now had no idea that such a dark side of fan culture existed"
If you don't want to read my rambling-mumbling-opinion-after-being-shocked, don't clicked below.


PS: (Few, some, most of) this is what’s in my mind (don’t bash me, un-friend me, hate me, kill me, curse me, etc since what I’m trying to do is to put my mind in words) that made me go “Wow!” after reading articles (I don’t know whether the articles are the truth or not, but it definitely surprised me to some level), so what about you? And maybe it’s for you who don't know and curious with the quote above, and want to know what their story as I did yesterday (just to know and not to judge them -I’m sorry if in my words below you see them as a judgment, just to clear things, I’m not intended to judge since I don’t know their whole story-)

So, here it is:
Well, I found something interesting and this is my first time knowing that this is actually happened (according to the sources that I read, of course). So what’s this about?

First, I’m not a K-Pop fan, but I do enjoy K-Pop music and melodies as well as I do enjoy W-Pop, C-Pop, and etc. My main focus is on J-Pop, and I love how J-Pop can cover not only love song but also encouraging songs, songs about friendship, songs about nature, songs about graduation, songs about food, songs about traditional/culture, and many more. I do admire them ^^ But let’s stop my J-fangirling since I compose this writing not to boast or to show that I love J-Pop.

Yesterday (yes, I know how late I am despite all the Hallyu wave had been spreading all around the world quite a time) I just read few articles (one leads to another) about few/tiny bits of K-Pop harshness. No, it’s not about the song or the content of the song or the way they promote it or etc.. It’s mainly about how the fans plus minus the public react on the public/entertainment figure, whether it’s their words, their looks, their make-up, their body shape, their clothes, their past, their academic background, their family, their hobby ==> to conclude: ALL!! Yes, I know that it’s one of the sources of interest that makes one put their attention to that figure, and I’m not blaming the public for wanting to know more about their figure. And also, it’s not that I didn’t know that it’s one of a celebrity/public figure’s consequences: to be watched from head to toe, from personality to words and action; every tiny thing that they do might cause huge reaction. It’s the same to the celebrity/public figure in my country. If you decide to be in the entertainment industry, it’s like you have to let go your privacy (not in all cases, but in MOST cases, I think). It’s almost like they “belong” to the fans/public.

But, some made me keep questioning how this can be happened, why the public have so much power and ability towards the artist/figure they love or they hate. Let’s list my yesterday’s fresh “knowledge”:

Yoo Seung Jun (known as Steve Yoo)

1. My first impression: I really really didn’t know him! When I read his name, I frowned my eyebrow and think “Hah? Who is he?” Later I read this(1) and quite shocked to know some of his story, that once he WAS a superstar in Korea.
2. His story in short: He is born in Seoul, but raised in California. He debuted in early 1997, in the middle of boyband-girlband wave in Korea; he took the American bad boy charm in his existence in Korean entertainment industry. He made impacts there as at that time in Korea there’re lots of idols like H.O.T, Shinhwa, S.E.S, Fin.K.L, g.o.d, and many more, and yet he still earn his spot in the public’s heart.
3. The problems & the surprising parts: He gave the Korean his word that he would follow the law that all Korean males serve a few years in the military. But later, it’s found that he gained legal immigration status in the States (and of course, had to give up his Korean citizenship), which means he is in no obligation to serve in Korean military. There, the suspicions arose, that it’s intentional to dodge the military obligation; and later he was considered -quote- “a hypocrite, a liar, and a criminal”. Other time, when he returned to Korea from the States, he was unable to step outside the airport since he was prohibited to do so; and he was forced to go back to the States on the next available flight (read: A.S.A.P). While his side of story is -quote- “that he had grown up in the States and didn’t realize just how significant serving time in the military was”, “had already applied for U.S. citizenship long before, but after publicly announcing he would serve, he requested the application to be withdrawn”, “was visiting his parents in California, he received notice that his application had been processed and approved”, yet “he meant to be a man of his word and enlist, regardless of his status”. He also argued -quote- “that his actions and public speeches were directed by the agency, since he was contracted under them. He only spoke and answered according to how his agency instructed him to, and so he couldn’t quite explain himself as freely as he wanted. He never meant to intentionally dodge military service, and that the entire thing was the result of a series of unfortunate coincidences.”
4. The results: Even though he explained his condition to the public, it’s quite useless. He was and is still prohibited from entering Korea from year 2002 until know, with one exception in year 2003 to attend his father-in-law funeral.
5. The later impression: “Wow! Such a harsh treatment he got in Korea, I’m so shocked. Is such treatment necessary?” I’m not a Korean and don’t understand the “feeling”, the pride, etc about military, so I think it’s quite normal for me to think so.

Jay Park (ex-leader and member of 2PM)(2)

1. My first impression: I know that once he was a 2PM member, that his fans really really try hard to support him when he had his controversy and unable to join 2PM activity, and later (until now) he goes solo, but other than that I didn’t know anything about him. Yesterday I read an article about his controversy (that said he’s anti-Korean) which made me curious.
2. His story in short: He born and raised in Washington (USA), but his origin is Seoul. Year 2004 he auditioned for JYPE in Seattle, and later (early 2005) he was brought to Korea for further -quote- “raining in dancing, rapping, singing, and the Korean language”. In a TV program, he had most fan votes and was given the position of leader in 2PM; and Sept 2008 2PM (including him) debuted and gained quite a success.
3. The problems & the surprising parts: A year after debut (Sept 2009), Korean media found what they considered -quote- “unfavorable comments towards Korea” in his personal MySpace account dated 2005. It’s written in English by him to a friend; and it’s translated by the Korean media, and caused a great storm. It is said that in the letter he explained -quote- “the unhappiness that he experienced during his early days as a trainee in an unfamiliar country where he lacked family, the ability to easily communicate, and an understanding of the culture”. (Maybe that’s why some controversy said he’s anti-Korean) Some protest that he’d better removed from 2PM, while his CEO stated he won’t be removed.
4. The results: In the same month and year, he left the group to wait for calm situation and return to his hometown, and he promised his member that he’ll be back; but later it’s announced that 2PM will still continue their activity forward without him (read: he’s no longer a 2PM member ==> but this was only legally announced in early 2010). The other member had their impact as well, such as: some withdrawal and postponed appearance in TV shows, re-filmed their MV, and maybe many more. His fans also had a fan movement(2) (which in my opinion: the fund raising and donating money is thumbs up, but boycott is sad especially for the other member)
5. The later impression: I didn’t blame the CEO nor the media, I know the media is getting more and more story to be put in their writing material which means it lead to more money they’re getting. But, for me, reading from the quotation of the letter’s materials above: it’s quite natural for someone in some foreign country (even though he is a Korean but he was raised in USA) to fell homesick as that time he is a trainee (in my mind, training gonna be quite exhausting him) and yet in Korea there’s no family, unable to communicate, and unfamiliar with the culture. It’s not that he’s anti-Korean, maybe he just unfamiliar (people needs adaptation time, right? ^^)

Tablo

1. My first impression: Just know him recently when he has one of BigBang member in his MV, that’s all (I know I’m suck, sorry -.-)
2. His story in short: He was born in Jakarta (Indonesia) and raised in several country (such as Indonesia, Switzerland, Hongkong, South Korea, Canada, and California), most because his father’s career demanded so. He was schooled in Canada, in Seoul, and later he went to Stanford University (there, he accomplished 2 degree in 2 major(3)). He able to play piano and violin, to compose lyrics and poem, and a fan of hip-hop music; he suffered from depression which origins are unknown in his early life. He married Korean actress, and had a daughter in mid 2010.
3. The problems & the surprising parts: A group of internet users in South Korea doubting about his academic background in Stanford, that -quote- “both a B.A. and M.A. in English and Creative Writing, respectively, in just three and a half years”. To clear this, Tablo even -quote- “posted his official transcript and other legal documents online”, “visited Stanford University in late August to clear himself by re-printing his documents on camera, and many of his acquaintances and professors from Stanford attested to the validity of his academic background on camera. The documentary was shown in two parts: "Tablo Goes to Stanford", and "Tablo and South Korea Online", which respectively aired on TV”.
4. The results: Despite all his effort and proof, the doubter increased as many as (approximately) 190.000 within a few days. It is said that because of this, he suspended his music career and had a hard time, but thanks to his wife and daughter he got more strength(7).
5. The later impression: Another “wow”. Educational BG made such an impact? Even though he isn’t using his educational BG to do criminal or evil things? If he is indeed lying about his educational BG, so what, maybe the public will feel tricked, and it may lead to law breaking, etc ==> just let the police do their thing and investigate it. Another if: what if he’s telling the truth? Maybe the truth that he went to Stanford and achieved all those things (I don’t know the method in Stanford but I think 2 degree in 3,5 years isn’t easy (or should I say it needs lots of sacrifice, sweat, time, energy, and hard work?)). It’s lucky he’s not back in depression since I know how easy someone who had depression can get back to depression whatever the origins are, luckily his wife and daughter are there for him.

Fans

1. My first impression: Fans support their idol in their capability. Yes, at least in my fan-girling to J-Pop’s artist (especially A***** fan) I saw their fan did amazing things, from spreading the love by subbing clips freely and just request not to be distributed outside community; some even learned and study it’s language since their artists inspired them; when in concert the fans didn’t lift the uchiwa higher than their shoulder and just put them in their chest position, after the concert they’re picking up garbage in their surrounding, creating picture (caps, wallpaper, gif)-fanfiction of their artists, some did donation in the name of their artists and many many more). When I first became fan, I only know that an agency in Japan forbid their artists to be in a love relationship (or at least, keep it away and hidden from public) and I think it’s a usual thing, since their target is teenage and woman. I also read that Korean artists sometimes get treated with meals while shooting (so the fans treated the artists and the staff for meals in shooting locations), gift, packages, and many more to show their affection and thanks towards their beloved artists. And maybe many other things that I didn’t know.
2. Story in short: When some fans know that their artists dated, they get angry, get crazy, and even made threats: they write in public forum, send letters that contained words as: ugly, bitch, get lost, you’re know for him, you’re too ugly for him, and other imaginable words that I can’t really put here ==> that saddened me, but I can’t know what those fans feelings so no further comments.  On the other hand, I read(4) that some fans are enjoyed stalking their artists: following them around, getting info on their schedule, illegally trespassing their dorms, checking out their garbage, and get their phone number and call them several times at day. Quote: “This last case happened to DBSK's Yunho and it was so stressful that he had to change his number. When he did, the same fan who was calling him non-stop obtained his new number in just five minutes and argued: "Why did you change your number, that's not good for you" and hung up.” Other fans totally obsessive towards their artist/idol, to do such a … (fill in the blank yourself >.<) things: writing love letter with blood (some cut their wrist, their hand, their neck, their finger to obtain the blood used to write the letters; another interesting case: -quote- “blood from her menstruation, and to prove that it was real, she even sent her panties”. Some fans stalk 24/7 and break the boundaries to the point that the manager has to react violently (as CN Blue’s and SHINee’s)
3. The later impression: Just shocked and unable to put appropriate words ~O~ (that’s what my mouth looks like after I read the story). Then later, this thinking appear on my mind: “isn’t it better for them to donate their blood to red cross?” =p

Antifans

1. My first impression: “Fans are fans, how crazy they can be?” ==> totally wrong!! If you hate some artist, just don’t buy their product; don’t hear their sing/drama/movie/other project they did; just said you don’t like them, and that’s all ==> that’s my opinion, but looks like I’m wrong.
2. Story in short: When 5 member DBSK break up and split into 2 groups, some pros and cons surrounded them, some hate the 2, some hate the 3, some defend the 2 and the other defend the 3. We don’t know who’s wrong who’s right and what’s behind all that, but I read that the cons even affecting the family (of those 2 and or 3): threats, prank phone calls, and many more. Regardless the break up, this incident also happened (I don’t know this is after or before the break up): a serious issues of attempting and almost killing an idol had happened to DBSK’s Yunho(4): he got poisoned a glass of juice with adhesive glue!! He started vomiting blood after drink it and brought to hospital where he had a stomach washout done immediately. Even his artist friend(5), who was really angry about the incident, got threats from Yunho's antis so he had to stop tweeting about the issue. (After the incident, Yunho dropped all the charges against the person who caused that, while it’s said that the person isn’t feeling any remorse or so by this article(6)). Another incidents is Yoon Eun Hye (the leading female in Goong): -quote- “she got shot in her eyes by an anti-fan who was holding a water gun full of soy sauce and vinegar”
3. The later impression: Another speechless moments, and I got teary since it’s gonna cause them pain (and nobody likes to feel pain, right?), since it’s so sad how people treat others like that T-T and quote(6): “till now had no idea that such a dark side of fan culture existed”.

It's not that my fav J-Pop doesn't have its own darkside (I know it has some, but put down by its agency or power to pressure the media or etc), but it's only now I know the darkside of K-Pop =o=

FIN, that’s all. If you happened to know or hear more stories that contradict or convince the stories above and you want to let me know, go ahead. But just remember, that I only read the articles (excluding whether they’re valid or not, truth or not). Be nice ^^

Sources and credit: (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7)

Comments and or opinions are welcomed but no bashing ^^