K-pop fandom is deliberately one of the backbones of an idol or group's stardom, yet at times they can cause the downfall of their admired artists.
A powerful team of fans contributes to a drastic promotion of an idol's career. This has been evident, as some of the most popular groups are fully backed-up by these supportive sets of individuals. Fan meetings, social media promotions, purchasing albums, merchandise, concert tickets and so on are successful because of them.
Despite this, some would consider that while they help in building the goals of their beloved biases, at some point, several incidents suggest that they wreck the reputations of their idols. For instance, a toxic fandom creates war among other artists' fan bases, which can result in the negative image of not only the fandom as a whole but their faves as well.
K-pop fandom: are they setting their standards to glorify their idols and accelerate them on top of the pedestal or improper adoration leads to shattering them instead?
Fan war
Fandom versus fandom. This has become a reality among fans who would die-hardly defend their idols if the situation suggests. Eagle-eyed admirers are usually triggered by criticisms and if their egos are bruised, the battle begins. Hurtful words, inconsiderable comments and so on, the goal is one must stand among others.
Pressuring idols
Often, fans see their idols as blemish-free individuals and as much they would love them, some of them set the criteria on how one must project to satisfy their dreams. However, some of them get dismayed by mishaps and worse, target these idols if they do something unacceptable to the fan (e.g. dating, marriage). This is a "love and hate relationship," and sadly, these fandoms exist.
Given those distracting manners exhibited by some of them, it is never a question that they give spice to the overall success of the K-pop artist. They do contribute, be it negatively or positively. On the brighter side, these groups should not be underestimated.
Fandom noise means publicity
Let us not exempt the negative noise as these clamors are by far giving their idols enough publicity. K-pop fandoms are automatically attached to their idols and whatever they do, these artists' names are exposed. The louder they are, the more exposure they bring to their beloved icons.
Total support and uplifting
Many times, idols are grateful to their fandoms. They are the very first individuals that these icons thank if a particular success hit them. Sometimes, they have the capacity to cheer up those who are on the verge of frustration and discouragement.
Some K-pop enthusiasts expressed their intolerance against this so-called "toxic" fandom, while some are considered as allies who are sometimes less appreciated yet give more than what is expected.
In the end, K-pop fandoms are those who sometimes set aside their main goal: to be entertained, by making sure that those they are worshipping will have the sweetest taste of success.
