Seriously what makes korean fans this much parasocial??

Korean fans are still pretty tame compared to Chinese fans.

I feel like it's usually a few stans who go crazy. Like even with the Riize situation it turned out only 100 people were sending funeral wreaths, posting etc.

Online it's the same. So many are bots, they're also buying likes for tweets. The whole point is to create a frenzy and a hate train. Very easy to create with a ruthless media team. Sucks that real people engage with such manufactured nonsense.

Quote from tetetete

It's because Jungkook is trying to bring in a bit of sexy young man to his persona but they are still nostalgic about his teenage boy next door persona

That died like going on ten years ago.

They still lust for that? Weird ajumma behaviour...

The industry itself makes the fans like this, and many idols are part of that.

As much as idols are entitled to their private life, this situation doesn't change for as long as fans are able to engage in the delusion that their faves are precious untouched virgins for life. Not that fans won't act like total losers either way. I long for the day when an idol will scold those morons.

Bring on the tour announcement. I need to see how many banks I’ll need to rob

Because that's how Asian idol culture works. Selling the image of a boyfriend is, by definition, part of their job. This may seem incredibly corny to us, but that's because we see them as singers like any other. For them, it's not quite the same. An idol is an idol, and an artist is an artist. They expect idols to behave as such (and that includes parasocial relationships with fans, acting 'cute' and 'pure,' etc.).

Quote from DaisyTheGenuine

Honestly, the company and idols have a heavier responsibility in some cases

I don't follow the group much, but doesn't BTS play with this a lot. I can't remember if it was Jungkook or another member but I remember seeing plenty of videos of him calling fans his girlfriends

AN example of this group playing with fire because what is this, and it's only going to end badly with delusional fans

I've been seeing a lot of korean tweets that are so weird...most of the pictures they are using are either when he was minor or just barely legal

I have noticed this from international fans too. I think it's best that these types of fans stop stanning.

anyways they seem mad that now that he's an adult, he seems difficult for them to control and that he's not so innocent in their eyes anymore

Seven was just a song that Jungkook sang about & for his bandmates that's all.

Quote from Kitty_Saurus

anyways they seem mad that now that he's an adult, he seems difficult for them to control and that he's not so innocent in their eyes anymore

So many Timothee Chalamet fans behave like this too.

Quote from yerisvelvet

So many Timothee Chalamet fans behave like this too.

really? interesting...i didn't know he was young when he started working.

because the idols and companies actively enable this behavior

Let me share Global ARMY letter to BTS re the recent fan drama. It is posted and translated into multiple languages and is the highest message to BTS on Weverse right now.

My personal opinion - all the post making drama out of this - I don’t think all of it is from legit KARMY 100%. I think so many ppl can claim to be but I do admit there are definitely toxic fans.

Let me tag ArmyTaglist re the letter.

——-

Dear BTS,

From every corner of the world, we as ARMY want to convey this message from our hearts to you. These past years, we waited with trust, love, and patience. It wasn't easy seeing the ones we love so deeply being seperated during this time, but now seeing you together again fills us with joy that words can barely describe.

After everything you've gone through, after all the roads you've walked separately and together, you returned as seven, and that alone is something we hold close and cherish deeply. It feels like a long winter has finally passed, and now we can all stand in the same warm place again. Remember when we said "till 25 we'll be waiting for you?" We did. We never left your side. Now the challenges, the distance, the waiting; it's behind us. What remains is gratitude. Gratitude for your strength, your sincerity, your music, your connection with us, every single thought and action done while having us in mind... and for simply being yourselves. We know how hard you've worked, not only through your music but through every challenge you've faced... publicly and privately.

We want you to understand this: we have zero expectations, nor demands. We are simply grateful that you are here, healthy, and walking into this new chapter together. Whichever pace you choose, whatever direction you decide to take, we are with you. Your well-being will always

matter more to us than any schedule, comeback, or performance.

What we want more than anything now is for you to feel safe, supported, and truly understood. We know how much pressure surrounds you, how many eyes and voices try to shape your every step. But please remember that we love you exactly the way you are, and we believe in you and trust every step you choose to take. We don't want you to feel any pressure from us. All we hope for is your happiness, your peace, and freedom to grow at your own pace and own way.

You've spent years giving us comfort, courage, and hope through your words, your music, your laughter, and your honesty. Let us return a small fraction of that love now. If you ever feel overwhelmed or unsure, we hope you can think of ARMY as a safe place where you are accepted without expectations, without any fear.

As you step into this new chapter, just know that you have millions of hearts walking quietly with you. We stand with you when you achieve your dreams, but also through uncertainty, through quiet moments. You are never walking alone. Take your time. Protect your hearts. Follow the paths that feel right to you. We will always be

here steady, patient, and endlessly proud.

With love and loyal support

Your biggest voice & eternal youth,

ARMY

Edit 2: Anpaman went back to No.1 on ITunes US 💜

Quote from superyeah

I-fans are just as bad, sometimes worse.

You're just seeing more of such comments from K-fans because there are websites designated to highlighting K-netizens' comments. These websites cherrypick the most bizarre comments for the sake of sensationalizing the topic.

I wonder where one might find such a website...

Quote from qamar-atti

Also the way many are trying to paint picture that jungkook does not care about fans. Like jungkook who goes on live playing games, cooking😒😒.

Tbh he should just ditch these entitked people from now on and live his life. Their problems that bts are not doing lives as a group, not holding fansigns. Like seriously, they are only 3rd gen group which still bothers to talk to their fans every month😤

Bts are grown men, they live their own lives, they don't live together anymore. Expecting live as a group is unrealistic. Ot7 lives will happen when they are doing album promo or are at important music events (like grammy). If we get unexpected ot7 lives good for us but if not, we'll live.

Meh it's their own fault. Who would call his fans his girlfriend lmao. I don't know any group that goes live so often and so long. Idols need to show fans where the line is. But he doesn't do that. They know how obsessed Fans can be, and they're feeding right into that.

Also, what is the point trying to make it obvious that you're dating, but then don't have the guts to admit. That's corny

Quote from qamar-atti

Also jungkook should stop doing those long ass lives. He can say that we are freinds to fans but many of those lives are just breeding ground for parasocial fans, even if he simply play games on it. There is no escape to it, so its better to just stop doing some things which are reason for parasocialism in fandom

I must admit that i barely watched any of their lives. For some reason i don't get notifications and i don't bother later because there are no subs.

Long streams aren't the issue. A lot of YouTubers have hours long streams and their fans don't have parasocial relationship with them. It's about how streamers communicate with their audience. And jungkook needs to stop to feed their delusions. I get he want to pleases his fans but he needs to stop. He needs to be like tae and tell them no. Or when armys were spamming comments section telling suga to speak English, and he was, no, I don't want to.

You are grown up, you don't need this. Armys aren't your friends nor girlfriend. Enough.

Quote from StanGIDLE

I don't follow the group much, but doesn't BTS play with this a lot. I can't remember if it was Jungkook or another member but I remember seeing plenty of videos of him calling fans his girlfriends

AN example of this group playing with fire because what is this, and it's only going to end badly with delusional fans

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This interview is from 2017, it was a long time ago so it wasn't a good example. The issue is now, and jk has done it even now.

Quote from Kitty_Saurus

I've been seeing a lot of korean tweets that are so weird...most of the pictures they are using are either when he was minor or just barely legal

The reason why minors shouldn't debut. Yikes.