I was a big fan of a certain group for a long time even though I stanned older groups as well. All my friends knew how much I loved them and they became casual fans because of me. I used to buy their albums and merch sometimes for my friends as well.
The group has become very big but I lost my passion for them. Especially after they became too popular and overrated on every tiny little thing. I knew them so well as a fan so I know their potentials and all their released stuff so I KNOW WHEN FANS LIE OR EXAGGERATE something. I styaed away from fanwars because I don’t want to cause hate on the group I once loved by being brutally “honest”.
Times flew and I got into another group. They’re talented and interesting. Obviously have as much toxic fandom because all fandoms are like that but this time I don’t feel like the group is too overrated (all kpop groups are overrated to a certain extent especially by their fans).
They sound and dance great so I don’t mind seeing their fans act like they’re the best of the best (even though I don’t objectively agree that they r the best of everything but they r very close and that is impressive)
Back to the group I once loved. I tried to watch their recent stages because I felt like I was neglecting them somehow. To my shock! They sounded horrible. They were so unbearable to listen to and their dance was lackluster especially after I stanned this other group. I got used to the newer group’s better or more well sang verses. so when I tried coming back to the earlier group my ears couldn’t bear it. I knew that was not their strongest suit from the beginning even when I used to stan them but getting used to the newer group somehow raised my standards for singing in a group and the older group just looked so bad in comparison.