Before becoming a KPOP fan I mean, because hopefully, everyone on this site likes KPOP lmao. Did you use to think liking KPOP or KPOP, in general, was strange? I mean KPOP fans are strange indeed, we are a weird group of music fans.
Growing up in America where KPOP wasn't as popular when I was younger, I heard people making fun of kids who liked KPOP, especially BTS, and called them weirdos, shippers, and simps. And Koreaboos which you can like KPOP and K-Drama and not be a Koreaboo. Like the insecure person I usually was, I followed peer pressure and what they were saying and avoided KPOP at all costs even though I new it was there. I only knew about BTS and Twice. I would've stanned them earlier if I didn't hear what people were saying and I always feel I was so close to their debut like just a few years off. But it wouldn't make sense because I was only 8 when BTS debuted and in 2nd grade and only 10 when Twice debuted and I was in 5th grade and was 11 when Blackpink debuted (almost 12) and in 5th or 6th grade.