Is "success stans" really a thing?

I hear that thrown around sometimes. Do people really stan groups because they are successful? Why? And do they leave if the group starts to lose popularity? Have you seen people do this?

This was the wrong thread lol

Quote from prettydaisy

this isnt even exclusive to kpop though. this happens in everything.

Yeah, i suppose I've seen it in sports too. People will bandwagon a team on a winning streak.

Also, welcome newbie!

Quote from cheddar

I think so. Most success stans care most about charts/numbers/fights but maybe still like the group a bit. High chance they would leave if they stopped being successful though. They take most pride in their group being successful than the music, dance, or members themselves.

sometimes it feels like they focus on their faves' successes cuz they don't have their own

Quote from catzi

That's true, I guess they want to feel included. I bet there's a psychological explanation for this, maybe its simply mob mentality idk

Maybe being part of a big fandom makes them feel accepted and even powerful in a way that they don't feel irl? Being able to be defended and even attack cuz you have fellow stans automatically on your side can feel intoxicating for someone that is usually powerless

Quote from tetetete

u should have seen the meltdown when bts decided to keep yet to come as the tt over run bts

i think we had a 6 page thread here over why they aren't keeping the hype song as the tt because...

it would chart better

Because the competition is more important than the artistic choice no doubt. As if bts has anything left to prove in that way

Quote from ChiakiMorisawa

100% People flock towards successful people/acts more and would let go if they don't meet that criteria.

So does the music matter at that point? Or do they just convince themselves that they really do love it and think it's the best?

Quote from Sweet-Spice

There are studies on how people are swayed by reception, especially for music. Look at how Brave Girls went viral years later. Could we say had that energetic and boisterous audience not been there that it would have blow up all the same? Look at Psy's video as well, his live for gangnam style. The comments are telling.

I remember one specific video where some people got teary eyed watching the live concert of certain groups they never cared for. Simply because the emotions of the crowd.

That's a good point. The experience of enjoying something together and being a part of something does affect people's perceptions and prbly gives them a deeper emotional reaction to the music.

Quote from ChiakiMorisawa

The music doesn't matter only the achievements (I would dare say that if the song was successful it was probably an earworm enough for them not to drag or was actually a good song), cause these people would want to ride the highest waves of success these acts are currently in, be in that moment and use them for bragging rights. It also feels great to be on the side of success and drag the "rival" fandoms for not being there.

Yeah, i have definitely noticed some people who seemed like they enjoyed being in the winning side and dragging the losing one too much. It's kinda pathetic tbh

Quote from catzi

I think it's more about fear of missing out, "if everyone is enjoying something than I surely can't miss it either" type of thing. It usually does the opposite for me, I feel aversion, but I'd be lying if I said I never wanted to check something just because everyone is checking it lol. I guess it leads to more conversations, idk. I agree with you, I am sure it makes the person feel better about belonging to a community.

I have checked a group out before just coz they were popular tbh. I wanted to see what the big deal was. I think a lot of people pbly do that. Success begets success. And talented nugu groups languish sometimes