being a korean kpop stan gets exhausting sometimes. (tw/cw included in post)

mild tw/cw for racism, and mental health, and brief censored mention of death - i don't get into anything deep but it's just me venting frustrations with some fans.

so i do not use reddit to post often but i find myself reading through this sub often because it's nice to see people who have the same thoughts as myself, and i think today i'm ready to let my own thoughts out.

i was born in sk, and immigrated to the US not so long ago. i can speak korean, it's my first language - however i am mixed australian. kpop has always been a huge escape sort of thing for me, especially when my mental health was bad.

however it seems by joining communities of fandoms, it's only gotten more disheartening for me and i think with Lee Mujin winning on Inkigayo yesterday, it's only discouraged me more as I have seen so many stans being racist towards koreans and generalising. and it's one of the things that just frustrates me.

no, koreans aren't all perfect, and yes, the country itself is not that progressive with social issues, such as racism towards black people. that is not my focus - i don't care if someone bashes the laws, it's the fact some fans will see 1-2 translated comments via twt or insta and automatically start saying just the vilest things about koreans. "so sensitive" or "knets can all d1e." and i've unfortunately dealt with it. myself. with Mujin winning, a handful of people are saying it's because of racism (which i will agree is an issue but it was because the competing song was just not liked) however, those same people are assuming that because "koreans don't know english yet vote for english songs by their faves", and honestly.. it's so frustrating because if you hate korea/koreans THAT much stop consuming kpop, kdrama and korean culture. somehow, though, some of these fans find a way to fetishise and reduce korea down to kpop, kimchi, kdramas and while saying just awful things about koreans.

tldr, i feel unwelcome in some kpop communities, and it's getting tiring.

Cr. Reddit

my friend I hope you are doing ok?

you must remember my friend that it's the animity of social media coupled with the fact that the people saying those things might be really immature. They don't understand the cultural aspect of things - they only care about their favs and the parasocial relationship they've formed which means win at all costs...

maybe it's time to leave leave the cesspool of twitter/social media for a while if it's affecting you that much. I've always said to not take kpop that seriously but hey maybe that's just me

(selfmate btw but the first two words here should have given it away)

(kddicted here) Kpop fans suck a lot of the time but there are plenty of nice stans out there who will welcome you though they are difficult to find amid the prominent negativity Please don't take their words to heart, being anonymous on the internet definitely plays a role in the lack of understanding on their part/immaturity/obsession with their faves only. No one can blame you for being frustrated and feeling that people have reduced Korea to just Kpop and popular stuff because it's true, people do this and they don't show respect either. If you can try not to look at too much media if it's affecting you, kpop was a source of comfort for you don't let people ruin that, it's not worth it

ultimately ifans have to learn they're the guests participating in Korean culture/music and they're not right all the time. The fact they constantly think they're smarter and can police how an actual nation feels about certain aspects of their own culture is the definition of so-called western exceptionalism/colonialism.

Hey buddy, I get what you're saying and understands what you mean. You must understand that those types of people are only in this for irritation and annoyance. They wanted attention and to get a reaction out of you, because we live in the digital world where 'trends', the amount of 'likes' or 'shares' gets acknowledgement like it's a fact, in some cases, it isn't. But those type of people don't care about that, they just wanted to feel 'right' by the amount of numbers they get. So they will say anything that is controversial to get a rating. It works very well, look at allkpop forum's topics.

I know it must be hard seeing those things because you pride yourself and wanted to do justice or correct their opinion of your culture/artists or what have you. But you must remember that the more personal you connect with Kpop, the harder it is. So don't make it personal. Why? crappy people are everywhere, in any country, technology now just give them an easier platform to contest. Most of the time, the loud words of a selected few aren't the truth. They will continue to do it whether you'll read them or not. So, take a step back, stop reading comments, and just listen to music.

I am of Asian descent, migrated to USA 20 years ago. Elementary kids, junior high kids, are freaking brutal. Racism will never disappear, I learnt that. However, I also learned that there are more good people than bad. If you calm down and concentrate hard enough, you'll find greater friends.

Goodluck OP, take a break and stop reading comments for a while.

just remember the majority of kpop stans are really young and dont even know what they are talking about