A ONE-SIDED LOVE: THEPARASOCIALRELATIONSHIPOFFANSTOK-POPIDOLS

It is without a doubt that Korean pop (K-Pop) continues to be a great sensation throughout the world, with artists serving as the core of the industry From the plethora of teenagers insistently waiting for hours to catch a glimpse of their bias to purchasing thousands-worth of rare photos of their idols that are made out of cards ranging from hologram to lenticular, their devotion is unabating.

numbers, delivering food and love letters to their homes, overcrowding at airports, and disguising secret cameras as an innocent gift of a fan made out of appreciation

Chelsea Dominique C. Aguilar

Editor-In-Chief

Lyka Benisse V. Nastor

Associate Editor Adrienne R. Cabochan Managing Editor

Bryella Cindy Surla

Layout & Cartoonist Editor

Lawrence Shayne De Gala

Feature Editor

Lorenza Jomille Trinidad

Ma. Sofia Gazmen

Francheska Daniah Nicolas

Jazmine Kate Buensuceso

Ysabella Reign Reyes

Claire Caroline Maninang

Feature Writers

Honey Claude Llamelo

Bianca Laudelle Tuazon

News Writers

Bb. Armalyn D. Cajayon Newspaper Adviser

Elmer Jericho Oceo

Feature Editor

Zenine Juliana De Castro

Lee Xydrel Marinas

Ashly Nicole Uy

Chelsea Cruz

Judiel Singson

Editorial Writers

Aaliyah Franchesca Jacinto

Photojournalist

Jian Vinice Castillo

Editorial Cartoonist

Ms. Princess Coleen Mae O. Gresola Newspaper Adviser

For the most part, fandom culture is simply a community dedicated to supporting a KPOP personality with their endeavors Fan projects are widespread and meant to show support towards their chosen artists This stems from the effectiveness of Korean entertainment agencies that advertise their artists to create a structural bond with their fandom They feed the sheer admiration of fans in order to market groups and soloists toward ultimate success However, one destructive downside remains: those who madly support tend to cause the most damage to idols

Parasocial interactions are defined as one-sided relationships wherein one party exerts time, effort, and even money on a media figure, forming a deep connection with someone that is not even aware of their existence It is the disastrous consequence of over-exposing an idol's emotional moments and difficulties for the world to witness This inimical activity is commonly evident in social media, wherein fans tend to perceive that they are privileged to provide unwarranted comments about an artist's personal life At worst, they invade their privacy by leaking their cellphone

The industry's brutality extends to a more prejudicial situation where "cancel culture" is exceedingly common Artists are being put on a pedestal Fandoms believe that their idols are ideal and without flaws Consequently, once an artist is exposed for misbehaving, they will immediately be shunned, and those against them will take every opportunity to bash them, evidently losing their hardearned careers This takes a toll on their mental state It even causes some to take their life away

Take it to mind that this does not villainize K-pop stans for obsessing over their idols At the end of the day, K-pop is still designed as a source of entertainment for everyone to enjoy Creating a productive environment and setting boundaries for both idols and fans are a must in protecting the overall state of both parties. Because, at the end of the day, behind all the compelling songs and pleasing music videos are humans They mask themselves to give positivity to the world It is only fair for the world to do the same