One thing that has always made me feel weird as a Korean pop fan is the concept of parasocial behavior and sasaengs.
In the context of Korean idols, the term “sasaeng” derives from the Korean words meaning “private life.” These “fans,” if you can even call them that, spend all of their free time stalking and intruding on the private lives of any Korean idol or musician in the public sphere.
The tradition of an entertainment sphere containing disturbed individuals such as these introduces the ideas to fans that they deserve to know what their idol is doing. From every waking moment, leaving their house to heading to the airport, sasaengs observe not only movement, but also private intel. Such as flight plans, paying off staff to give hotel arrangements and seating information for flights, and so much more.
While many fans have shown disgust towards the behaviors of these select individuals, I truly believe that just the mere existence of sasaengs increases the amount of entitlement fans feel to know everything about their idols.
One thing that truly creeps me out is the concept that the industry is built upon this model. Quite literally half the journey of going to success is having to open up the idea of these parasocial fans having access to their idols at all times. With some platforms, where fans can send fan letters and post on different K-pop groups’ feeds, it doesn’t seem to be an insane issue. Once you look over at other platforms, where fans can pay a membership to send direct chats to idols, the issue becomes increasingly concerning.
This specialization of fans being able to have direct access in texting their idols, whether it be in kind-hearted nature or explicit intent, increases the parasocial behavior. Combining this direct access with being able to win fan calls and directly chat to idols, the industry allows for idols and their wellbeing to be at the disposal of the wellbeing of their fans. This is incredibly unfair, as many idols who have to do fan calls are newer groups, meaning those enduring these calls range in ages from 15 to 25.
“Not gonna lie, some K-pop fans need to chill. It’s one thing to like an idol, but the way people act like they own them is insane. You see fans getting jealous over interactions, crying if their idol might be dating, or calling them “ungrateful” for wanting privacy,” wrote one user on Reddit. “What’s worse is that companies encourage it. They sell this ‘boyfriend/girlfriend experience’ eye contact videos, fan calls, cute messages like “I miss you” and then everyone’s shocked when fans take it too far. It’s literally designed to make people obsessed.”
I’ve always felt irked by the fact that, while K-pop idols are aware that their job is to entertain the general public, they are exposed to an increasing rate of fans who believe they “know them” or are best friends but just don’t know it yet. It’s even worse when you see highlight reels of fancalls where idols are physically showing their disgust in the weird comments they have to listen to while waiting for the timer to run out. It’s either “fans” who are illegally finding their personal information and travel plans, or “fans” believing they will have a Y/N, your name, insert moment where idols will magically fall in love with them after a one minute conversation.
In general, let’s all stop believing we magically deserve the right to know the entirety of an idol’s personal life, down to their blood type and phone number, and enjoy the music and fun that is public for a reason.
