how does fandom become a dangerous obsession?

[unreal.livejournal.com]

Controversial news of the moment in the k-pop world (there is always one) is undoubtedly the steady stream of sources citing violence and verbal assault against sasaeng ­fans – fans who do not fit the usual definition, and who are more inclined to follow idols’ every move, to increasingly disturbing levels that are already well documented by many articles and blogs on the internet. This time it primarily concerns JYJ and audio clips of all three members’ verbal – and sometimes physical –abuse towards these sasaengs. The argument for and against whether this evidence is legitimate, and who is in the right or wrong, is rife amongst netizens, but has anyone stopped to think why this behaviour exists in the first place?

It’s every fan’s dream to one day meet their idol. But most would never dream of achieving it through dangerous, deceitful or just plain disrespectful ways. It is clear, at least to me, that the people that partake in sasaeng activities are not real fans, those who support the artist by buying their music, attending their events and wishing them well. These ‘fans’ appear to possess a genuine lack of social awareness, and an inability to empathise, or consider the effects of their behaviour.


The god-like portrayal of idols may have profound impact on the development of this phenomenon. Being seen on TV, domestic and foreign events and the vast array of other activities idols have to participate in leads many to believe that these people are invincible – they can cope with these hectic schedules, so what difference does some people following around them make? They appear (with relatively few exceptions) consistently pleasant and act out of sheer enthusiasm during their activities. Sasaengs seem to think that they should fit into that schedule as nothing more than another normalcy.

But it should seem obvious that these people are not the same off-screen as they are when they are performers. Because that is what they are – performers. They are paid and employed as entertainers. That is not to say that they do not possess real talent: the majority of k-pop stars do, and it is through their talent and hard work that they have become so successful as to be victim of sasaengs in the first place. However it does mean that it is job, and their life is not their job. It is a tremendously large part of their life, but it is still only a part. I’m sure fans’ affection is appreciated wholeheartedly by all artists, but that is what it should remain – a platonic affection.

Sasaeng fans – or private fans – seem to have skimmed over this detail. The idea that stalking, identity theft and constant surveillance are part of the contract when idols sign up for training is something that needs to be addressed. Little criminal action can be taken against sasaengs can be taken for various reasons (namely, most of them are minors), but it can highlight a key concept in the ‘worship’ of k-pop idols, or the lengths that anti-fans will go to in order for their feelings to be known.

So, are sasaeng fans simply the price to pay for fame, or are they a more sinister sign of the celebrity-obsessed society that exists in Korea – and increasingly, globally?

Source: koreancandy
There's also a twitition Stop "sasaeng fans" now

Comments

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

We should stop calling them fan. They're not, they're fanatics.
And while we're at it, we might want to stop some of the "reporter's" who are using the same methods.

[honeebs.livejournal.com]

They are not fanatics, that term is endearing to some.
So just call them what they are CRAZY FOLLLOWERS.

[gashinenai.livejournal.com]

The idea that stalking, identity theft and constant surveillance are part of the contract when idols sign up for training is something that needs to be addressed.
THIS, THIS, THIS!!!
absof*ckinglutely this!
just because they are idols, it doesn't mean they should get all that crap

[asnindie.livejournal.com]

Companies barely respect them as individuals with rights, you expect delusional fanbots to?

[phililen3.livejournal.com]

"So, are sasaeng fans simply the price to pay for fame, or are they a more sinister sign of the celebrity-obsessed society that exists in Korea – and increasingly, globally?"

It is not a star's fault that there are some fucked up people out there. No they do not sign up for it when they are chasing fame. That is fucked up logic. It is like saying that a girl signs up to be raped when she wears a short skirt. It is not a price that they should be paying.
Lawmakers need to come up with laws to prosecute minors for these crimes. These are not minor crimes. If they were adults, they would be serving serious time, at least where I am from. Stalking, identity theft, hacking, Breaking and Entering, that needs to be punished and should serve as a deterent to other would be crazies.
*Don't I wish*

[falling-empress.livejournal.com]

Would you dive into a pool of carnivorous sharks with a huge gash in your leg expecting them not to eat you?

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

Most of them are adults tbh.

[audiograms.livejournal.com]

sasaengs take it to the next level, I say this as someone who gets recognise by along of my favourite bands because of the sheer amount of shows, in different cities and countries, I've been to. They need to realise how to be an enthusiastic fan without crossing the line.

[prushrush.livejournal.com]

I think that Kpop fandom encourages this kind of behaviour. In any other fandom, these stalkers -- as they should rightfully be called -- would be shunned, or turned into to the police as the situation warrants.

I think the publicity they're getting almost encourages their behavior...and while yes, ignoring the problem doesn't make it go away, reporting this behavior to the relevant authorities, and punishment does.

tl;dr stop publicizing it and therefore legitimize what they're doing, it's time for civil/criminal legal action

[kirabana.livejournal.com]

They have to publicize it so that people who make the laws can realize how big this problem really is. I dont think that people who are 40+ years old realize what has been going on.

[modernabsurdity.livejournal.com]

Once again, idols are public figures not public property. These people are repulsive tbh.

[aeries-amethyst.livejournal.com]

Is that Yunho in your icon? *_____*

[the-erotomanic.livejournal.com]

korea should really be worried that there's a group of people who thinks it's okay to do all those horrible things and not get away with it.

at the same time, why haven't the media and social worker talked to actual sasaengs? someone needs to find out why those sasaengs are the way they are.

[dapo322.livejournal.com]

I think KBS did a documentary on them where they followed sasaengs. I haven't seen it so I don't know what the reporters found out

[luvey.livejournal.com]

at least this issue is being addressed. i hope it gets somewhere and reform is made. i still don't see how minors and adults who do this, get away with it. you know some palms are being greased somewhere to keep them out of trouble.

[oceandezignz.livejournal.com]

That is my biggest fear.

[lesth.livejournal.com]

Just why aren't we much aware of what happen to those sasaeng when they get caught? If they actually get arrested or something done against their extreme actions. From what I saw, those girls even show off when they were able to follow their kpop idol or if they stole something and youngers just want to join the 'secret circle'. Agencies should show off as well when one is caught and has to pay. Not like publicly revealing her name but taking actions against her as an exemple.

Alright it wouldn't stop most of them but at least, those who'd feel tempted to become one would think twice. In all the reports we get, the sasaeng get what they want: their idol's attention, the attention of all the other fans, even pictures of their hand slapping their idol.

[untrueo.livejournal.com]

I always say there are two parts to any entertainer. Public and personal. The public identity belongs to the fans while the personal identity belongs to that entertainer. Don't get them confused or mixed up. Each is different in small and large ways. I hate that society doesn't correct the current misconception. Idols can't because they will lose fans and be hated on extra hard. People just needed to be educated and grow up.

[asnindie.livejournal.com]

It's the obsession with hierarchy, Sasaengs think they're at the top of the pyramid and so continue on. But adults doing this stuff is so sad, how empty is your life/desperate for a connection that you stalk an idol 24/7.

[laeryn.livejournal.com]

Mte. I think about that everytime, how do you get to that point? There's something wrong with this people, there has to be, or I will never understand it :|

[baboboy.livejournal.com]

This time it primarily concerns JYJ and audio clips of all three members’ verbal – and sometimes physical –abuse towards these sasaengs
all 3?..

and kbs paying sasaengs for material is just encouraging them to continue what they're doing

[xiahjunsubias.livejournal.com]

All three? MTE!!!!

Until a clip with Junsu verbal and/or physically assaulting a sasaeng comes out (I pray none ever does), people need to stop saying, "all three." humph! Pressed Junsu fan

[untilsally.livejournal.com]

I don't understand why they're getting away with it just coz some are underage.

So they're kids, surely that means they're more scared of getting into trouble with the authorities and parents etc than the loser adult stalkers are? If you're loaded and 27 there's not a great deal your parents can do to you, but as a kid they could totally curtail your stalking habits. Couldn't they?

[izabera.livejournal.com]

I remember an interview with an anonymous sasaeng in her late 20s who knew what she was doing was wrong, she just couldn't stop. It was like an addiction to her.
I really believe some sasaeng fans are mentally ill and need help. Others are just bad people who need to be made to face the consequences of their actions.

[aria-ofthegods.livejournal.com]

This obsession that people have with celebrities is because they think they know them. Most people just experience it as they see someone on tv and they like that person, relate to them in some way, and become their fan.

In Korea it seems that they purposefully try to blur the line between celebrities' private lives and their appearances on TV. There are so many reality shows, behind the scenes footage, interviews, music videos, variety show appearances, and music performances where you can get to know the "personality" of your favorite stars and it kind of misleads people into thinking that what you see on TV is the real personality. This "perfect" image is created not just by the celebrity, but also the company, who trained them to always answer questions inoffensively and to always show an appealing side. When they start out they even agree to hold a certain position in the group, such as "the cute one" or "the manly one," etc...

This benefits the companies of the celebrities because it gets them loyal, and even obsessive fans who support them monetarily and even publicly. Fans in Korea are capable of doing amazing things for the sake of their celebrities like making huge donations to charities and organizing boycotts if they don't like what's happening at the company. This devotion comes from fans feeling like they have a connection with the celebrity in some way, and that they just know that he/she deserves all of their love. Unfortunately this can also lead to the few fans who really take it beyond fandom and into being a stalker. They think things like "if only he met me, we'd fall in love."

Of course the majority of people don't react that way, but actually there have been studies that say that some people are predispositioned to develop celebrity worship, usually those who have lower iq.

In my own research, I studied whether there was actually a difference between how people in the U.S. and Korea relate to celebrities. Even though the sample group was small, results told me that there was a difference and that Koreans were more inclined to feel like they "knew" their celebrities. I really wish that I could continue my research and find out what exactly the reasons are, although I suspect it is because of the exposure.

Before I was into K-pop I had never heard anything like it, but once I started watching the variety shows and all the other stuff I kind of felt it too. That's why I have been into K-pop for so long. Its not only the music, I also like watching the singers I like on reality programs and variety shows. I like seeing them act silly and cute, and I guess I also start to feel like I know them. I just have to remember that its their intention to get me wrapped up in these celebrities "perfect" personalities.

[sunshine2163.livejournal.com]

I was going to post a comment, but you took the words right out of my mouth! Everything you have said. But some fans, even here on omona still don't see that what some of these fans do is wrong!

[cagallisakura.livejournal.com]

"Little criminal action can be taken against sasaengs can be taken for various reasons (namely, most of them are minors)"
Well then fucking do something about that. This is such an excuse for the police to use so they don't actually have to do anything. This isn't acceptable behaviour for ANYONE, minor or not. I can understand minors being let go once, but repeat offenders are a sign that something needs to be done.

It's seriously going to take an idol to die by the hands of sasaengs until something is done.

[thewarpedmelody.livejournal.com]

sasaeng fans are driving paparazzi out of business

[dotdotdotting.livejournal.com]

Man the sasaengs are on a league of their own. I honestly think petitions aren't gonna stop them but I guess it's a first step in the right direction.

[solitarydesire.livejournal.com]

i agree that kids are kids (though 16 SHOULD know better, they're not 5) but they still need to learn that their actions have consequences. if not, then they wont know it as adults. I'm not saying send them to jail for 5 years or even juvie, but press charges and teach them a lesson. Even if all they get is community service and their record wiped clean afterward.