Do kpop fans brag about brand endorsements as an overcompensation for their own miserable lives?

No comments on the second part as it feels like projecting but I don't understand what there's to brag about the rich getting richer. Like it becomes normal for even for the rich after some point of time and money doesn't give you the same happiness.

Twitter is really funny to me rn too lol.

For me personally I don’t really care if a celebrity gets to endorse stuffs. I’ll be happy that the celebrity will get paid and free promo but that is just it.

But it gets fun when some people get mad and salty or try to analyse things.

I think it’s nice. I am happy for them to be able to collab with a designer.

Like that every industry is fake, love. Each and every aspect is fake.

Issue is not that.

The main issue is calling "musicians" "models" just because they endorse a brand. That's just wrong.

Same reason why fans brag about physical sales

About popularity in japan bc it brings more money

About number of cfs for group and members

Etc etc

Bc it’s a competition of who stan the most successful and most desirable idols

people take kpop too seriously

Quote from daniel-cruz

Issue is not that.

The main issue is calling "musicians" "models" just because they endorse a brand. That's just wrong.

I mean that is one issue yeah, but this is a different topic imo. This is more about 'using your faves achievements as your own to brag' problem.

It’s all about popularity. To see brands sign your favs is to acknowledge that my fav has a certain reach and influence

Quote from musicqueen

I mean that is one issue yeah, but this is a different topic imo. This is more about 'using your faves achievements as your own to brag' problem.

Well, then.

I don't think lot of people realize that they are doing it.

Personally, I have a life so I don't use that to brag about it. I have my own achievements to brag about so yeah.

For me personally, I like when my faves break records or achieve milestones in their career because they bring happiness to me and I admire them as human beings. I know they deserve the achievements they have.

I would never understand how people brag about their faves endorsements or achievements as their own, because at the end of the that is not their life. Yes, I brag about BTS's achievements here and there and get excited when TXT achieves milestones, but at the end of the day I'm just a student who has to work hard to get grades and will have to work hard to get money later in life.

I see a lot of people on twitter being like "we have rights to brag about our faves achievements as our own because we have them the achievements and worked hard for it" and laugh at the entitlement these people have.

Yes, I work hard too to break records and what not, but i consider it a payback for the happiness that bts brings me. They honestly make my life a lot more enjoyable and entertaining and me streaming for them or buying albums is a small token of thanks to them. But it seems to be the opposite for these type of stans. They work hard to break records so THEY can brag about it as their own and unknowingly belittle the efforts of their faves put into whatever they do.

It's quiet a weird thing and I would never understand it tbh.

Do you waste your valuable time ( that you could use to achieve something important ) on akp making this type of threads as an overcompensation to your miserable life?

whatever your answer is , that's the answer to this thread

Quote from daniel-cruz

Well, then.

I don't think lot of people realize that they are doing it.

Personally, I have a life so I don't use that to brag about it. I have my own achievements to brag about so yeah.

This. At the end of the day, me and my faves are completely different people leading completely different lifestyles.

About calling idols models tho, I think a lot of it is rooted in understanding of the idol industry in general.

At one hand, you have groups being mocked for doing a lot of endorsements and less music, and on the other hand, you have groups being shamed for releasing "too much" music. It's not a black & white situation imo.

K-pop stans just need to realise that idol industry is equal part music and equal part other activities. It doesn't only focus on music, nor does it solely focus on brand endorsements or variety.

As much as music is important, brand promotions and variety is also equally important in the idealogy of the idol industry itself. So no one should be shamed for focusing on either, but that's just my opinion 🤷

Quote from musicqueen

This. At the end of the day, me and my faves are completely different people leading completely different lifestyles.

About calling idols models tho, I think a lot of it is rooted in understanding of the idol industry in general.

At one hand, you have groups being mocked for doing a lot of endorsements and less music, and on the other hand, you have groups being shamed for releasing "too much" music. It's not a black & white situation imo.

K-pop stans just need to realise that idol industry is equal part music and equal part other activities. It doesn't only focus on music, nor does it solely focus on brand endorsements or variety.

As much as music is important, brand promotions and variety is also equally important in the idealogy of the idol industry itself. So no one should be shamed for focusing on either, but that's just my opinion 🤷

Finally, A logical reply. Thank you. I get what you are saying. I agree.

Quote from quantumphysics

But why does that bother YOU? You are not being called that. A stranger is. Who cares?

These are hard working musicians. The least any SANE human can do is respect them.

I guess people like seeing their favs get richer. There are also fans that are doing well enough in life to afford to buy what their favs are selling, which is fine.

My bias group is plenty rich and any new luxury deals arent going to change their lifestyle.

It is normal to them, to have more money than they probably know what to do with.

Wealth inequality is something that cannot be ignored now more than ever in the pandemic. I've seen so much suffering that it makes my stomach roll.

I felt conflicted all last year and this year seeing how celebrities have lived compared to everyone else (although money does not make you immune to hardships, of course).

I am glad my favs have said themselves that they understand how lucky they are to be able to work, to be able to earn while doing what they love, and I am truly happy for them.

I don't blame them for the broken system that exists today. It isn't any one entity's fault. We're all slaves to it in the end. As much as I want to leave

and live in one of those forest communities sometimes, I know I won't, I'm a planet-killing consumer like everyone else.

You are saying this because you've seen the reactions to BTS' LV deal I assume?

I won't be buying anything because of it but I am interested in seeing what the endorsement will entail, just as I am interested in seeing how the McDonald's deal will pan out (which I am equally conflicted about considering the company's history).

It will be fun I'm sure, and it's good promo.

I think one of the biggest reasons pop fans keep up with this stuff is to use it in arguments when other people downplay that artist's status tbh.

Quote from quantumphysics

I know what but was that my point though? I want to understand the psychology of the fans. Is this projection or overcompensation or both?

I feel it might be psychological. Because we humans do lust for money and deals like these make a fan happy. But I would narrow down the list to success stans only, they are the ones who are always fighting for sales, charts,etc.

Quote from quantumphysics

Doesn't that make sense though? Music consumption is the earning of musicians. Brand endorsements should be treated as a consequence of the success nor reason.

It’s east Asia fandom culture imo that affected international fans. They care about the idol career as a whole so any achievement is celebrated related to music or not.. it’s not just idols look at the trot singer I forgot his name, e has a fandom of mainly older women who behave exactly like an idol fandom. Organize streaming, watch his shows for rating, buy products he endorses etc.. the fandom culture is so intense I dont see something like it from western artists fans or fans of my country’s celebs

you're not wrong.

I can’t talk about majority of the fans but me personally...am I happy that they get a luxury brand endorsement? Yes. With BTS, they especially loved LV and they didn’t want solo endorsement. They favorite brand offered to the full group and not individually. They must be very happy. If the boys happy, I’m happy. 🤷‍♀️

Can I afford it? Will I buy it? Hell no. I will take a picture if I walk in front of the shop and see their pic. 😬 Because I’m corny like that. I did buy Fila and I would buy McDonalds if they would sell it in the Uk. 🤨

I never got that one either.

Feels like some people either start to confuse their main biases' lives with their own, getting out of touch with reality, or maybe they're trolls who just love to brag or bait others into fanwars.

Quote from Queeeenie

Wealth inequality is something that cannot be ignored now more than ever in the pandemic. I've seen so much suffering that it makes my stomach roll.

I felt conflicted all last year and this year seeing how celebrities have lived compared to everyone else (although money does not make you immune to hardships, of course).

I am glad my favs have said themselves that they understand how lucky they are to be able to work, to be able to earn while doing what they love, and I am truly happy for them.

I don't blame them for the broken system that exists today. It isn't any one entity's fault. We're all slaves to it in the end. As much as I want to leave

and live in one of those forest communities sometimes, I know I won't, I'm a planet-killing consumer like everyone else.

I think one of the biggest reasons pop fans keep up with this stuff is to use it in arguments when other people downplay that artist's status tbh.

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True that. The rich getting richer and poor getting poorer is the current trend, and people actively voting for those who'll only push this wealth inequality even if it'll be more to their disadvantage in the end, is a thing that'll never cease to amaze and one of the bigger mysteries in life.

People are so easy to mislead and being misled.

Quote from Zenning

True that. The rich getting richer and poor getting poorer is the current trend, and people actively voting for those who'll only push this wealth inequality even if it'll be more to their disadvantage in the end, is a thing that'll never cease to amaze and one of the bigger mysteries in life.

People are so easy to mislead and being misled.

You know, I think if politicians made the drastic changes that needed to be made, provided they knew exactly what needed to be done in the first place, the rest of society would panic and become even more divided, and those politicians would be removed from their positions in the midst of that chaos.

I have somewhat accepted that things are the way they are and we're all more selfish than we like to believe and more privileged than we realise.

something else to note

people like to believe that those who brag are probably doing terribly in life and those who do not are successful, or at least happy with themselves

it is not always the case

you can successful/rich and content irl and still be obnoxious online

you can also have a mountain of misery and struggle irl and not be overly concerned with your favs' brand deals

I mean... fans are happy for their faves, kinda like how you're bothered about it. Them bragging about it has about as much impact on you as a celeb endorsing a brand has on their fans. And yet here we are :)))

I can have a life and still be happy BTS is doing well. It honestly doesn't take as much mental space as some of you here think it does =)))

Quote from Queeeenie

You know, I think if politicians made the drastic changes that needed to be made, provided they knew exactly what needed to be done in the first place, the rest of society would panic and become even more divided, and those politicians would be removed from their positions in the midst of that chaos.

I have somewhat accepted that things are the way they are and we're all more selfish than we like to believe and more privileged than we realise.

people don't want equality - this is the real, hard, cold truth. Because as long as someone as rich as Jeff Bezos exists, they can always fool themselves that with enough hard work, they can get there, too. This is especially true of Americans, and it's easy to spot in the disdainful way they look at social democracies - even the functional ones in Northern Europe.

It's fine to be happy. It shows your faves are getting recognized. What ruins everything is the bragging competition. K-pop is not a tournament. There are no winners nor losers.

Quote from quantumphysics

Like these are rich people endorsing rich items which only rich people can buy and here are kpop fans bragging about it like an achievement as if it just don't show you that you are poor? I thought the motto was eat the rich, pro-socialism, progressivism, anti capitalism and help the poor?

I understand celebrities endorsing luxury brands. They live that lifestyle and are needed to spend a certain amount of money to be eligible for some perks like black cards etc. Only endorsing low end brands will be tokenism. But I don't get why fans think that's an achievement? These celebrities are getting paid/rented these clothes for a show life, a life which you will never lead. Is this because kpop fans generally live through their idols and this is the only way they can live through some of their luxury fantasies?

You're wrong in BTS case. If you check out the endorsement list of BTS, at the beginning of their career it is mainly for getting additional income for the artists (just like other KPOP group), but along the way with their career journey as musician, endorsing is much more than merely a source of additional money, it become a too/platforml for them either to promote the music/career or to support small-mid local businesses. I just put some cases here: 1) Seoul city was worried they can't pay BTS anymore when the boys become prominent global artist, but then we see BTS extended their collab with seoul city. 2) Mc Donald BTS meal is not just simple endorsement, it has something to do with their come back promotion (judging from the hype coming not only from ARMY but also from Colombia Record and Debbie White their lawyer. 3) LV house ambassador is a proof case that BTS with 7 member is a brand itself that they won't compromise to just only be involved with such luxury brand. Those endorsement in BTS cases are very interesting to learn of, and also nothing wrong for ARMY to clap back other fandoms who have insulted/shading BTS without reason just because the boys didn't endorse luxury brand before.

BTW don't underestimate the purchase power of BTS ARMY, there is considerable amount of well-off fans in such a huge fandom who made BTS is the BEST selling artist in the WORLD (go check IFPI chart if you don't know yet how huge BTS position in global music industry)

Quote from Queeeenie

something else to note

people like to believe that those who brag are probably doing terribly in life and those who do not are successful, or at least happy with themselves

it is not always the case

you can successful/rich and content irl and still be obnoxious online

you can also have a mountain of misery and struggle irl and not be overly concerned with your favs' brand deals

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IDK why i love this take.

Quote from icyruios

OMG WHEN DID YOUR MARRAIGE OR ENGAGEMENT WHATEVER YOU CALL IT HAPPEN GRATZ U BOTH

MassiveKpopFan

Lol thanks

Quote from I-dont-cAre

Same reason why fans brag about physical sales

About popularity in japan bc it brings more money

About number of cfs for group and members

Etc etc

Bc it’s a competition of who stan the most successful and most desirable idols

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It's not really a competition because everyone can easily win, just by typing out "I stan the most successful BG/GG". Ta-da!

It's presented as though you have to study for years and pass a test to qualify to stan a K-Pop group, and if you fail you're a loser who can only qualify to stan nugu's