dating idols - do fans have a right to be mad?
the varying reactions of fans to news of Jennie and V dating and how it reflects many basic natures of the K-pop idol industry.
I will be discussing a few controversial topics today. Do not feel offended. Remember that the entire article is just my own opinion.
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She loved a boy, he didn't know, but she couldn't let him go. Screamed his name, he didn't hear. She tried again once every year. She cried once more as he stood and bowed because she was just another girl in the crowd.
One week ago, I saw the video of Jennie and V, two world-famous K-pop idols from Blackpink and BTS. They held hands, walking down the dark Paris streets, with the quiet river beside them as company. As a new army fan, my first reaction was a pang of loss. I felt sad that V was dating Jennie because, in my mind, V and the other male K-pop idol that I loved should stay single. Even if not, they shouldn't be walking around on the streets hand in hand with the person that they're dating. Fans paid hundreds and thousands of dollars to have one glimpse of them. How could he throw away the loves and fantasies of fans to go and live his own life without one care in the world of how the fans thought?
A snapshot from the video released to the front is Jennie, and to the left is V.
But the more I thought about it, the more questions I had about my reaction. Why did I immediately blame V, the male K-pop idol? Did I have the right as a fan to be angry at them?
What did others think? I wanted to explore my reaction and at the same time, the reactions of other fans. What did our reaction reveal about the nature of the K-pop industry? Did they do anything wrong? Did we do anything wrong?
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What Happened?
The Video that Started This Frenzy.
Blackpink's Jennie and BTS' V (Kim Tae-Hyung) were filmed holding hands while strolling in Paris. This video was first released by French journalist Amar Taoualit, who posted footage of them walking in the French city on his TikTok.
Following the video, several more people stepped out on social media to release photos of Jennie and V in Paris and even photos of how V signed a magazine for a fan.
Who are Jennie and V?
We should first look at who they are to fully understand the fan's reactions and how this news may affect many. Jennie is a popular female K-pop idol from the girl group Blackpink. As of 2021, their group has gained over 100 million fans who call themselves Blinks, with the numbers increasing today.
V, also known as Tae-Hyung, is just as famous and popular. He comes from the male K-pop group BTS. With just as many fans as Blackpink, BTS is a worldwide phenomenon. V's handsome appearance and talents have made him the love of millions of girls worldwide.
While BTS and Blackpink have most female fans, BTS has around a 90% female fanbase, while Blackpink's female fans only make up around 40 percent.
Why are so Many People Quick to Say They Are Dating?
It is important to address why people are so quick to conclude that Jennie and V are dating after this short video because of what happened in May 2022.
A photo of Jennie and V driving on a Jeju island date first appeared online. More personal photos of Jennie and V seemingly together on that trip and spending time together in different places leaked in August and September, making it seem as if they were dating.
After these photos were released, Jennie's agency YG Entertainment told the press in May 2022 that “we have nothing to say." We will inform you if we have a different response to share.” V's agency Big Hit Music did not comment. Many fans believe this was the agency's way of telling the fans that the rumors are true.
Thus, it is hard to blame fans for immediately assuming Jennie and V were dating. This continuous build-up and seemingly real evidence (photos and videos) have resulted in immediate and rash reactions from fans and bystanders.
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The Reactions of Fans
V's Fans
Like me, the quickest reaction of V's fans was a mix of anger, sadness, and loss. Anger towards Jennie and V, and the empty feeling one feels after a breakup. Some were upset that V decided to date Jennie out of all the female K-pop idols. However, others were upset because of his silence and unwillingness to admit or speak out, even after this rumor had been circulating for the past year.
I believe this fan's words can help compass many of the feelings and emotions that others might have experienced:
"I don't care whether or not the dating news is real. It's more because I feel as if you are getting mad. You are letting fans spend money on you while you go off and have fun with Jennie, your "girlfriend." You know that Army will still help you clear the rumors and spend money on you no matter what. Not clearing any rumors, not admitting, coming out to speak the truth, and not even caring about what the fans think. Are you just willing to do this to your fans? It's sad; why do you have to do this, keeping us hanging on loose strings?"
However, different voices also appeared almost immediately after this rumor was released. I would summarize it as a feeling of denial and a form of comfort. Many fans have come up with the idea that the whole video was fake, made and organized by people who dressed up ("cosplay") to look like Jennie and V. Though this possibility does exist, I believe that these forms of stories and analysis by fans are another form of reaction - avoidance, denial, and disbelief.
Jennie's Fans
Though some of Jennie's fans have expressed a similar reaction to V's fans, a mixture of denial and disbelief, dispelling the rumors through the idea of "cosplay." However, most of Jennie's fans have failed to express extremely negative feelings toward Jennie. Instead, their reactions have been a mixture of support, indifference, and love for Jennie. Most of their reactions are on the lines of:
We are fans of Jennie because we admire her stage and professional presence. We don't care about her personal life. We only care about whether or not she is happy.
After hearing the news, fans have shared many thoughts and feelings on social media.
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What Do Our Reactions Mean?
I will focus on V's fans' reactions, which are the most controversial and outvoiced.
Do V's Fans Have a Right to React this Way? - What was Reasonable?
Fans have a right to react the way they did.
Idols are usually attractive so that they can be marketed as desirable products. The basis of the relationship between a fan and an idol is consumerism. In a way, idols are a product that fans can spend money, attention, and time to "consume." Fans view this product as theirs because they are the consumers. This form of relationship is inevitable because it is how idols and their companies earn money.
Why do we spend money on idols? Though buying idol-related merchandise can often be a way of trying to fit in and following the actions of other fans, it is also the most direct and easiest way to show our love for idols. Because of the distance between idols and fans, becoming close friends with an idol is quite impossible, so we establish our connection through these consumptions. Buying merchandise such as albums and photo cards is the closest and most affordable way to express our love and reinforce our identity as a fan of theirs.
For example, In 2019, 23% of Big Hit Entertainment's (BTS's company) earnings came from merchandise revenues. This equates to around USD 114.5 million. This merchandise refers to any BTS and TXT-related products sold by Big Hit Entertainment, from lightsticks to clothing to accessories. Fans worldwide that love these idols try and show their support through these purchases. Is this not a relationship established through consumption?
Thus, it is extremely challenging for fans to view idols as their equals. The amount of money and support that fans give their idols naturally establishes this difference in status. Some fans may view their relationship with the idol as an attraction, others as a form of respect, and even a form of love. Either way, most of the time, fans find it hard to avoid thinking that an idol is theirs and that they have a right to these idols, as they are paying their money and giving their support.
"The money and support that fans give their idols naturally establish this difference in status, creating a relationship built on consumerism."
Fans are the building blocks and the number one way for idols in this career to make money and live. As "consumers," fans have the right to react this way. Though idols are humans, and we should respect their feelings and lives, being in an "idol" career and status guarantees that fans will expect you to fit their needs and expectations. Therefore, When you step out of the confinements and expectations that fans have made for you, such as through dating, they cannot be happy.
Furthermore, I would like to provide a second perspective. Correlating to the relationship I have established between most fans and idols, fans often view the idol as "theirs" or sometimes even their romantic partner. Idols constantly perform loving and flirting acts toward their fans, which in fact reinforces this belief. As 90% of V's fans are female, many will view V as their "boyfriend" or another romantic partner. Thus, many fans will be upset when V seems to be dating another pretty, talented, and famous girl. This reaction is acceptable and normal.
Some might ask if you really loved your idol, shouldn't you be happy when they find the person that makes them happy? If your idol was someone you actually liked, someone that was part of your life, would you have it in you to criticize and downgrade them because they are in a relationship? The answer to these questions straightforwardly reveals a difference between normal romantic relationships and fans' relationships with their idols. It is not the same type of love; they are built and expressed differently.
Differences in the Reactions Between Different Gendered Fan Groups.
As many might have noticed, there is a clear difference between the reactions of Jennie's fans and V's fans. I think this reveals another key factor in how fans perceive their relationship with the idol, which is the gender of the fans.
Many of V's fans view V as someone they are attracted to because of the major female fanbase. This causes male K-pop idol fanbases to react slightly more aggressively when they discover their idol could be dating.
However, Jennie's fanbase, also mainly populated by females, might perceive Jennie as someone they look up to, love, and respect. Thus, in this relationship, fans are more likely to view the idol as an individual, with a distance in their relationship. If the female K-pop idol they admire has found someone they love and is happily in a relationship, they will feel happy for them instead of angry or jealous. This is true for most female K-pop idols.
Fans have the same love for their idols, but female fans of female idols are more likely to react kindly, showing support and care for the female K-pop idol.
Though female and male fans have different attitudes towards their idols, in the end, they are both equal consumers to their idols. In a consumerism culture, the consumers decide which way the market or the product should go.
Do V's Fans Have a Right to React this Way? - What was Unreasonable?
Despite the reason for many of their reactions, there are still some unreasonable points. Idols, they too, have a life. It is normal for them to have their own lives outside of their performance and identity as an "idol." As fans, if you truly feel a deep loving connection for your idols, you should have a certain respect for their idol - their happiness, their decisions, and their lives.
Many of the balanced and supporting reactions fans have expressed online.
Finding a balance between fans' and idols' relationships is important. Because losing sight of this can blur the lines and lead to hopes of a long-term promise that oftentimes can be easily broken. A fan's relationship with an idol will always have two faces. One is the equal human connection between two souls and the other is a consumer and product relationship. While we have privileges and rights as a consumer in the K-pop industry, let's remember and treasure our human connections. Fans have maintained this balance in certain communities. Respect and love their idols when they are performing and working for you, but also give them a certain amount of privacy in their own lives, being happy for their happiness.