If you're obsessed with K pop, or if you have another hobby you are equally excited about, you might be eager to introduce your friends to those interests. After all, if you have other things in common, there's a good chance they'll be receptive to the introduction. But it's still important to introduce the subject carefully if you want to maximize the potential appeal.

The Proper Framing

First, it's important to establish the right mindset for this introduction. Some people are interested in introducing others to a hobby for a specific purpose; for example, you might be motivated to get your friends into one of your favorite bands so you have people to go to an upcoming concert with.

There's nothing wrong with this type of motivation in itself, but it's important to realize that it can set you up for disappointment or a failed introduction. For example, if your friends aren't immediately taken with the artist you show them, you might feel extreme disappointment, since not only are they disinterested in something you like, it may have the incidental effect of reducing your chances of going to the concert with friends. Additionally, this may incentivize you to put additional pressure on your friends, which could ultimately push them further away from interest in the hobby.

The best approach is to understand that every individual has different tastes and different interests, and this is something that should be celebrated. If you introduce your friends to something new and they like it, that's fantastic, but if they don't like it, or if they're not particularly interested, you need to be ready to accept that. Your friends will be much more receptive to the hobby if you introduce it in a respectful way, with no pressure.

Ideas for Introduction

These are some of the best ways to introduce friends to your favorite hobby:

• Throw a party. Consider throwing a party with your interest as the central theme. If you have an outdoor kitchen, a patio, or another interesting outdoor area for people to gather, you can decorate, cook food, and play music aligned with your interests. Your friends can freely engage with each other while passively absorbing elements of your passion, and the people who are most receptive to it will engage with it directly.
• Find a bridge piece of content. Alternatively, consider finding a bridge piece of content to introduce one friend at a time to your favorite hobby. For example, if you know their musical taste, you can choose a song from one of your favorite bands that has similar features. The goal is to find connective tissue between your interests and their interests; chances are, there's more overlap than you think.
• Take them to an event. You can also consider taking a friend to an event, such as a concert, a convention, or a local meet up. This is a bit riskier than some of the other options, since it requires a greater investment of time and money, but it's also more immersive and gives your friends the chance to interact with other people who are into the hobby.

Additional Tips

These additional tips can increase your chances of success:

• Reset your expectations. It's a good idea to set low expectations. It's possible that your friends become even bigger fans of this hobby than you are. It's also possible that they find the hobby revolting. If you have no expectations, there's no way for you to be disappointed in the outcome.
• Start small. Generally, it's better to start small, with noncommittal, short introductions. For example, instead of pressuring your friends to attend an all-day movie marathon, get them to listen to 30 seconds of your favorite song.
• Focus on them. This is your hobby, and quite possibly, your passion, so it's natural to be excited about it and see it from your own perspective. But you're going to be much more effective if you focus on their perspectives and experiences. Why would this appeal to them?
• Explain the appeal. That said, you can also explain the personal appeal to you. Don't just say that a band is awesome; explain what makes them so compelling to you.
• Ask for feedback. As you make introductions, ask for feedback. Do people like what you're showing them? Do they like how you're showing it?

If they're not already into it, your friends probably aren't going to become obsessed with K pop fashion or styles overnight - even if they're immediately taken with the first song they hear. That's okay. Friendships don't require perfect alignment across all hobbies and interests; if your friends are willing to listen to you and try to engage with you as best they can, you have friends worth appreciating.