Western/I-Fan’s hatred towards Korean fan Idol relationship
I’m not new to kpop and I’ve got perspective on both sides being mixed Korean / American. In all the years being a fan I’ve never seen such animosity. It seems to be mainly on the topic of Idol’s favoritism towards Korean fans over international fans, they get more, they’re coddled, they get jealous over overseas schedules and then placated. I’ve seen fans say it’s ridiculous that they say “hurry and come back” to which idols will respond with “I’ll hurry and come back.” I want to address that Koreans don’t mean “turn the plane around, get back here” It’s (빨리) 돌아와(요/주세요). Here saying 빨리 (hurry) isn’t really hurry it’s more of a cute request but is not serious. So responding with 빨리 돌아올게(요) is returning the cute request, I’ll hurry back~ When an idol says 다녀올게요 / 잘 다녀올게요 when leaving it’s a cultural formality. I/we will go/attend and comeback (safely). It is not a negative or to be taken as an insult, it doesn’t mean they don’t want to see international fans, it’s respectful. I will say that yes some Korean fans can be intense and genuinely feel jealousy and want their idols attention, but that’s not the majority and yet I feel that I-fans think/act like it is. To begin with it is Korean Pop! Of course the Korean Idols will pay most attention to fans in their home country, of course they will have the most schedules in Korea. I guess I’m just at a loss as to why fans are feeling like they get mistreated, I’ve never once felt that way, I too live outside of Korea and aside from being able to understand HS level Korean my experience of K-pop and Idols is no different from fellow I-Fans. I’m not trying to argue I genuinely want to understand what I’m missing.
Posted May 8, 2024, 1:44 AM UTC