Are There Repercussions For K-Pop Idols Who Talk To Fans On Social Media? [Opinion]

With yet another case of a fan seeking the attention of their favorite idol on social media in a way that leads the idol to respond, there is an interesting question: Should idols ignore the fans that say things like "you're making me want to hurt myself" or "I won't be happy if you don't love me."

SHINee member Key allegedly reached out to a fan on Instagram, who went by the moniker "Cutter." He told her to stop hurting herself, and spoke about his own hardships. Although the post caused a bit of confusion, because some fans said that they never saw the actual post and wondered if it was faked, the message still came through that an idol had reached out to one of his hurting fans, and given her advice.

Now, a second case has appeared, where BTOB's Hyunsik was harassed by a fan and responded to the fan carefully. The fan tweeted the BTOB member over 3,000 times within a matter of a few days, trying to get his attention. The long message begged Hyunsik to respond to the fan, while also blaming Hyunsik for making the fan miserable by not noticing the tweets in the first place.

Hyunsik, surprisingly, responded to the fan: ""Heyyy

I'm not good at English, but I understand what you said. Thank you for supporting me, but please do not suffer because of me. I don't want you to be hurt because of me. You should go to sleep now!!! Goodnight! Love u Too <3

P.S

You have to know that this is unfair"

While being supportive, Hyunsik revealed how awkward he, as a human being, must feel when a fan acts in this obsessive of a manner. Hyunsik seems likely to have responded merely because he figured that the fan wouldn't stop until he said something in response.

Which leads to the question: If more idols respond to fans' desperate actions on social media sites, like cutting and/or obsessive behavior, does it help the fan, or does it promote these behaviors?

The fan, of course, feels the love of his or her idol, but if idols keep on doing this than fans may very well try this route as another way to get attention. Sasaeng fans have been known for their intensity in the past, including some memorable cases where fans sent menstrual blood to their favorite idol or carved their idol's name into their skin, and with so many people addicted to their computers and mobile devices nowadays, it's not difficult to think that fans will act in these ways to gain attention.

While it's nice to see idols caring for fans that may be living across the world, it may be better for idols to act with restraint and not talk to fans directly at all, rather than risk promoting dangerous behaviors.

Tags
Key
Key instagram
hyunsik twitter
hyunsik btob
Join the Discussion

Latest Photo Gallery

Real Time Analytics