Sunday, July 15, 2012

Seoulbeats talks about fandoms

http://seoulbeats.com/2011/10/roundtable-k-pop-fandom/

So here I am looking for things related to fandoms thanks to my last posting when lo and behold I find an article by Seoulbeats where fans tell them their stance on fandoms I believe you should take a look at the link above and hear what the fans have to say about their very own fandoms.


KPOP the CULT of all Cultures

 




pics taken from http://cheesussays.hubpages.com/hub/The-Crazy-world-of-K-pop-Fandoms#

now now before you bare arms and mad dash me with your pitchforks listen to what I have to say. The witch hunting Pyre can remain as it stands and if my words hold no meaning at all I will willingly tie myself to the stake and let you burn me alive. Hopefully you are all logical rational people and it will not come to such a ridiculous end.

Girl A: Hi I am a catholic what religious order do you follow?"
Girl B: "KPOP"
Girl A: "What is KPOP?"
Girl B : o.O "you can't be serious don't talk to me until you Google searched KPOP"
Girl A: "ugh ok bye"
Girl B" OMG I can't believe she hasn't heard of KPOP where does she live under a rock! Don't Worry Oppa I know you (hearts in her eyes) "

ok ok I had my fun now down to seriousness I was talking with a friend of mine on facebook when this idea and fact first came to us.

This is how it started

Her:there's always some scandal, rumor or conflict going on and the first ones to run their mouths and start shit are so called fans

Me:it's really just so useless

Her: not anti's

not sasaengs

the fans themselves

that's what's so crazy

it really is useless

Me: it's like Shawol's and Elf's and Cassie's all from the same company and always at each others throats

Her: doesn't help anyone yeaaah I know and it's annoying to people that belong to more than one fandom you are forced to choose sides or none at all and just stay out the fight

Me:Like Me!
Her: fandoms are like organized religions I swear to god
Me: I agree!
Her:it's that serious to some people it's a way of life to them

there are rules, moral codes, social obligations, and of course the "gods" would be whoever the fandom follows

it's scary

Me: OMG that's too true

Her: more like a cult or disorganized religion

I just thought of this now o.o

but it all makes sense

.....

I agreed KPOP is like a cult the conversation continued

Her: it is!

and sometimes if you leave you are ostracized

that's not to say you can't change your mind

but it's like you have to be in it for life

I'm not gonna lie and say I haven't said this to people before

I don't like fickle fans that change loyalties to fit how they are feeling that day or month

one day they're a Cassie, the next they're a SHAWOL, then a month later they are an elf and hate DBSK and SHINee

[-_-]

Leaving the fandoms completely then going back like it's nothing .


I would now like to point out Sasaengs are part of the KPOP Cult along with fans and Anti fans. With Sasaengs you cannot leave the group if you do they abuse you as I have recently heard in another person's post on the matter of sasaengs. They are truly in it for life.

Her:some Kpop fans are selfish

others are selfless

I HATE when people buy a shitload of tickets just to resell them at a higher price

but that's not just in Kpop

but some Kpop fans pull together they donate to organizations in individual members' names I did that for a project for Siwon's birthday

I donated $14 to UNICEF ^^

Me:I've only donated once and it was for the funeral of Mr.Park for the wreath given by international fans. *referring to  Yoochuns father*

Her: I think it's good to donate regardless

but to donate because you want to help people AND make your idol proud of you

that's really great Kpop fans do that a lot. That's really the thing I'm most proud of they're quick to pull together, I'm always like "how the fuck did they get 100 million won for that cause so fast!?"

they're passionate and that passion is powerful when used for something positive

often times it's used to bash, hurt, and put down others.


and so that is the conversation for most part that really got me thinking but her is the rest after we navigated back on track.

Her: so you finished the blog?

Me: yea but I will end up writing more

considering writing something like K-POP The Cult of all Cultures

lol

Her: oh my god I agree with everything!!!

lol you so should

though maybe not call it a cult

some people might take offense and make a big deal out of that word

cuz cult is something SERIOUS that has hurt many people

never heard of a good or innocent cult

Me: well sasaengs are definitely the cult part of it

Her: like that guy who married all the women in his cult and had kids with the kids

then made the parents kill the kids then themselves so horrible T_T

ME: well some consider Jehovah's to be a cult lol

but I don't think they are bad

Her: I'd tread lightly on that subject

Me: lol yeah well honestly I want the heat (that's right come try to throw me in a frying pan if you really disagree so strongly)




Her: oh well then, you go girl! xD


Me: I want people to really think about what they are doing

pushing people into corners and shit

lets face it any rational logical sensible person such as ourselves

will look at the points and agree how k-pop fandoms are a form of cultism

maybe they do not go to the extremes not like CULTS do

but sasaengs pretty much are

Them and Anti's are like the KKK of K-Pop or K-Entertainment


Her: I just looked up the many definitions of cult

cult can be an excessive admiration for a particular person or thing

Kpop fans DEFINITELY have that down pat

excessive

over zealous

Me: lol yea

heck even me

when I first found out about SJ

I was totally totally obsessed

but the initial awe of it all died down fast enough

and I would never have done anything extremely crazy, I had to watch every video I could find and search everything on their music and TV appearances and such. (I actually did that with FTIsland too though I was already aware of who Seunghyun and Hongki were)

And so let's get all the facts on why this is a cult amongst all cultures

no matter where you are in the world you can find K-Entertainment fans age, race, gender it matters not! they ARE there trolling youtube and twitter and any other fansite. They are there supporting and loving artists and actors alike or they are harming and hurting stalking and manipulating.

There are rules you MUST follow in a fandom

1) NEVER DISAGREE with what they say about their Bias,

2) Never have an Opinion that differs from their own.

3)DO NOT SUPPORT A GROUP when a member Leaves the group for whatever reason and make sure you sign every Suicide petition and disbandment petition that comes your way! You MUST FIGHT with anyone who Supports the remaining members.

4)DO NOT SUPPORT ROMANTIC PAIRINGS OF THEIR BIAS with ANOTHER WOMAN! but it's ok if it's the OTP they support. Because Shipping 2 grown men together is aok! (mind you I have nothing against BL I am a fan of it, however I am not delusional believing they are all real couples )



































5)DO NOT SAY ANYTHING THAT SOUNDS INSULTING (Girl A "that out fit doesn't suit him" Girl B "what the hell B(&$%^ you saying MY OPPA is UGLY?! What do you mean it doesn't suit him!!!" Girl A (omg her eyes are glowing red) "chill I just meant he looks better in an outfit that shows off his muscled arms" Girl B "OMG DON'T LOOK AT OPPAS ARMS THEY ARE MINE!"

6) DO NOT SUPPORT ANY OTHER FANDOM! (Fans Voice "Just because you are in one fandom does not mean you cannot support another group, officially or unofficially. If they are doing a good job, they merit your applause. Just refusing to clap for them because they are not your fandom is spiteful. Hypocrites!!! " I agree but rules are rules and they do not support others)proof of that has been seen on fancams on youtube.

the following are from my friend whom I had the conversation with in the first place though I ended up adding some again as well.

7) all female idols that do duets with, appear on variety shows or dramas, or musicals with one of your male biases or all female back up dancers that grind up on your favorite idols are automatically slutty bitches trying to steal your men and come between you two.


8)once an idol makes a mistake, you can never forgive them. they will always be a horrible person in your eyes and you can never look at them the same way again (example: Park Yoochun and the "fan beating" incident, Block B in the Thailand interview, Jay Park leaving 2PM due to controversy, CAP and his "masognyny", etc)




9) You MUST hold grudges for the longest amount of time possible! NEVER forgive anyone for making Mistakes!



10) Idols, both male and female, can never ever date anyone or get married, especially not each other, because they belong to fans forever and always. Or else that person will receive extreme amounts of hate mail, death threats, and daily harassment from the fandom. We want our idols celibate and alone for us to act out our fantasies on. (example: SKK and Jonghyun, Goo Hara and MBLAQ's Junhyung, etc. Hara was hated by many netizens and told she didn't deserve him and that Junhyung was too perfect and beautiful for her. Male Hara fans also hated on Junhyung. SKK received daily hate mail and death threats from so called fans because they didn't want her with Jonghyun and she had to shut down her Internet fan cafe.)





11) During a fanwar, it is perfectly acceptable to bash, insult, and start rumors about the other fandom's band because after all, the fandom is essentially EXACTLY like the band and an accurate representation of how they act and think.

12) if you don't know all the member's names, you clearly aren't a true fan of the band and shouldn't even show your face in public, let alone Internet forums





13) you're not an elitist if you try to correct everyone on every single fact, detail, and information about your favorite band. you're just a well educated fan and you feel it is your duty to share your knowledge with the world.
(I HATE FANS LIKE THIS!!!)(me too!)

14) girl bands: if you are a female fan, you usually aren't a fan of many bands with the same gender, or a fan of them at all, you prefer men by default since you can't fangirl over the physical attributes of women (unless you like that sort of thing or get girl crushes.) they are pretty much useless in your eyes and you don't think they're as good musically as your OPPAS and can never compare to them.



for some people they literally are so consumed by Kpop they can't like anything else, I understand that but don't put down others that aren't so consumed and so we have number 15

15) Kpop, and in a broader sense Asian music is the best in the world. EVERYONE else should just stop singing and stop trying cus they'll never be as good as my favorite Asian bands. If you do like other genres and musicians you are NOT a TRUE fan you are a TRAITOR!



16) HATE on and BASH Anyone who does cover songs of your Oppas They can never compare and should just stop singing they will never get anywhere. This is even more accurate if you are non-Asian! (There was a video where a guy from Congo or something did a cover of Bigbang or TOP and he felt there was no need to say whom the original singer was though he did claim it was a dedication.And he changed the info once VIP's complain regardless of the changes he made the VIP's were so racist towards him and said so many mean things that in the end he closed his youtube account which was a shame coz he had skills)





17) YOU MUST be willing to chase your Bias anywhere you can , DO NOT FORGET you must visit their homes work places and hotels where you will do the following ....
Leave Gifts, Order food, YELL Regardless of others staying in the building, Follow them to and from activities and schedules. Cause Traffic accidents so you can get a glimpse of Oppa, Quit school and lie so you can work closer to Oppas. Take photo's of them and record them video tape them as well every chance you have. Write Blood letters to your biases. Find their family members and btoher them for personal information on your Bias get their numbers and call them all the time. YOU MUST Try to touch them once but NEVER try to get over friendly with OPPA!~ WE WILL FIND YOU AND TEACH YOU A LESSON!




18) Brag about EVERY encounter you had with OPPA good or bad OPPA notices you no matter what you do! Try and do more for Oppa than any other girls do Oppa will think of you more if you bother him the most! Oppa would not be famous without YOU stalking him!



19) everything you see, hear, and read about IS TRUE. don't wait for the facts to come out. make your own assumptions and stick to them no matter what anyone says. however your idol acts is his true self. he hides nothing from fans. fans know their idols better than even their families and friends



20) Form mini cults to gang up on other members in the group your bias is part of, lie steal and cheat to be closer to your Bias. Also form groups to harass groups you believe are rivals of your Bias, OPPA will be SO PROUD to know You are Evil and Dishonest. Oppa loves his fans even if they cause harm!


























The best Rule out there is

gather in groups and show support by flash mobs and community service, do good deeds in the name of your Biases. LOVE and SUPPORT your Biases no matter what they go through and what others say. Being LOYAL is how we true fans roll Like BOSS we know how to Love and ARE Loved in return for it.



And so that concludes why KPOP is a cult of all cultures because people from all around the globe do these things in here I have included things good fans bad fans non fans all do. but definitely more of the negatives because although we see good things in K-Entertainment the truth of the matter is it has become a scary and Negative world we've submerged ourselves in.




There is a final thing I would like to point out someone else had stated something similar to what I will now say. Hallyu or whatever the Korean wave people or CEO'S Company owners and staff some fans too believe that boy groups and idols and the girl groups too are what has been keeping K-ENTERTAINMENT on the Global forefront I hate to break it to you (actually I don't) but YOU'RE WRONG! yes SHINee, Super Junior, DBSK\TVXQ , Big Bang so on so forth they ARE popular but they are NOT the only people we Foreigners are interested in. I have stated it before I got interested in KPOP because of BOA and I am not the only person who got interested in the K-Entertainment business because of Boa's influence many current Korean Idols have also said Boa inspired them to be entertainers in the first place. Actors play a big part in our interest too I know plenty of people in the world who while they are not big fans of Korean music love Korean dramas. Some even end up getting the sound tracks of their beloved dramas. SO to All you cynics who think K-Entertainment would be no where without the boy groups you are WRONG JYJ proved that all on their own. Rock bands have also shown they are popular in foreign countries for example CNBLUE and FTIsland! so I leave you with all this to chew over spit it back in my face if you want.








how do you like the truth?


 

Does it leave a sour taste in your mouth?








VOF3 (Voices Of Fans)

I got into kpop seriously through my friend and boss who runs a kpop booth at anime conventions~ but I've been listening to oldies like Boa, 1TYM, DBSK since even before that.



Kpop has definitely changed my life, besides opening up portals of vast friendships, which is fantastic because so many awesome people have kpop as an interest, I've really taken to studying Korean culture more than I ever had before. Listening to uplifting music that is a staple of kpop is also something has reflected itself on me. I'm overall happier, more hyper, and maybe even kinder. Another thing about kpop is that, although this may be superficial, it's definitely made me want to take care of my body more. By having such beautiful role models, I've decided to take care of my face and body better.



Before kpop, I was a jpop/rock fan, but I also listened to a lot of alternative music and British artists. I was also a huge jazz fan, so I listened to a lot of old school jazz and new age foreign jazz. In some respects, kpop has become more inclusive in the forms of sounds it includes as a variety to the pop sound, but I feel it remains a pop genre which is very different from the jrock, alternative and jazz scenes I listened to before. I think k-indie and rock bands are more relatable in that sense to my older preferences, but that doesn't mean kpop isn't beautifully made and performed. It's just the happy and pop/electronic music everyone adores~



I think everyone is aware of antis, because it's expected in every musically genre since no genre has ever been loved by every single person in the world. Maybe what I wasn't aware of was the extend of anti behavior in South Korea, because the viciousness and anger that the antis display sometimes is indeed frightening and awful.



I have two bands I deem my favorite because I truly can't pick between the two: Big Bang and SHINee. They both are different base genres (BB more oriented towards hip hop/r&b, SHINee more electronic/ballad) but the similarities of powerful vocals and enticing raps is what always keeps me coming back to both these groups. My ultimate bias is Minho, though G-Dragon is a very close second because he was my first obsession. Minho was a quiet soul who few people took notice of when his group first debuted, and that's exactly what attracted me to him. He was like a hidden gemstone, uninteresting at a first glance, but oh so beautiful and multifaceted once you get below the surface. I could feel that even before he became the outgoing and fun-loving Minho of today, so I followed him and watched him grow into exactly who I knew he could be. He's my ultimate bias because he's always such a team player, he has wonderful rapping talent and lyric writing capabilities, and a nice voice when he's allowed to use it~ Not to mention he's silly, a great athlete, and have I mentioned that man's abs??? Beautiful, beautiful ABS~ (Mini rant about GD -> man is amazing too!! He sings, he raps, he produces music, he always dresses soooo well, and can pull of any hairstyle!!! He's funny and outwardly swag, but caring and sweet inside as we can hear from his bandmates, labelmates, and interviews~ how can you not love this YG icon??)



I love the choreographed dances kpop has (such good workouts) their sometimes ridiculous, but always fabulous, outfits, and of course the intense vocals of a song~ Those are three of my favorite things about kpop~

____________________________________________________________________________

Celina Cruz Vega

1. My friends nagging xD but I knew about it since I was younger :3

2. Justin Bieber, I guess like the style isn't 2 different but it's a different language and a different concept than most American music

3. Oh God KPop has changed my life so much! For one I'm starting a healthier life style because of it, seeing all the girls being healthy and thin makes me want to be better health and looks wise. Also KPop has sort of made me a happier person, maybe it's the music or the groups but I used to cut amongst other things and I'm not gonna say I haven't done it since but I hardly have which is a huge step from doing it almost everyday. KPop also gave me a future. Now I know what I want to do with my life because of it.

4. I am aware of anti's and my fandom has the most.. but I disregard them. Only my boys matter.

5. My favorite artist is 2PM :) they are by far the best things on this planet. Their music is fantastic but above all they seem like such of the sweetest and down to earth guys ever. And I feel like everytime they talk they thank their Hottests and I love that. They are genuinely some of the sweetest boys ever. It's rare that you don't see them smiling or just being the best people that they can be and I love that about them.

6. Hwang Chansung of 2PM is one of the most important things in my life. He may not know me but I care about everything he does so much. If he's hurt or sick I get sympathy sickness which sucks xD but I guess that's how much I care~ Chansung to me is the perfect mix of funny, cute, sexy, talented and complete perfection. You can tell he's the maknae by his over flowing aegyo. His solo stages are usually indecent but he's just so talented that I'm okay with it.. his love for his cat is so cute, you can tell that he'll be a great dad someday~ I'm not gonna lie, Taec was my first but there was something about Chansung that I couldn't resist and couldn't put away. He's not only my bias but my ideal type... (aka reason my standards are too damn high) he's phenomenal. My female ultimate is Victoria of F(x) (yeah Khun I'm stealing your woman) gosh this woman is perfection, she's beautiful, sophisticated, cute, motherly... just everything a woman should be. She is so sweet to everyone.. she is easily angered but it's just so cute! She always goes out of her way to make those around her happy which I love. (That time she made Pad Thai for Khun? Jealous~) I can't even explain how perfect she is. Her singing and dancing? Ugh I can't even handle it. Like I just wish I was her child or like best friend~ that would be the best gift ever.

7. What I love about KPop? Gosh, KPop has given me an insight to so many different things. Because of it I've learned about Korean culture, I'm currently learning a new language and so much more. KPop has influenced the way I act, making me a lot nicer than I used to be, I've grown as a person so much from it. I've learned how hard it must be for someone when their son has to join the military, how the beauty standards can effect ones perception of themselves and how different everyone is. Just a type of music helped me see that. That's more than I could've learned in school xD I want to thank all the artists in KPop for helping me be who I am. I'll always be my own person, thanks to them~



_____________________________________________________________________________________

Lindsay Lee, new york.

1. I randomly saw a kpop video on youtube and I had no idea what it was but I fell in love with it. that's how I got to looking up more kpop and how I became a fan

2.Before Kpop I listened to american rock and pop music.

3. KPop has changed my life because it's given me a whole new outlook on the world. I've been exposed to a whole other culture and fell in love with it and also I made a great group of friends that I can be my total self around and not have to worry about being judged.

4. I have many favorites artists but my top favorite would have to be UKISS. They're my favorites because they are the most hardworking idols and they all have such different personalities but work so well together. Their music is great and they are such wonderful human beings, you can't help but fall in love with them. My top two biases are Eli from UKiss and Taehun from ZEA. Eli is my bias because he is honestly a lot like me and I feel like I can relate to him in a lot of ways. He's gone through so much to get to where he is and faced alot of tragedy and setbacks but he hasn't given up. Same for Taehun, he faced a lot too, both of his parents passed away and he originally got kicked out of ZEA but he's here and he's wonderful and he's so strong and I give him so much credit that he's where he is. They're both such wonderful humans and I couldn't ask for better role models to look up to.

5. What I like about Kpop specifically is that it brings so many people together. People from all walks of life listen to Kpop and we can all relate to each other and get to experience life outside of what we know.

________________________________________________________________________________________________



Arianne Frigillana



What got me into KPOP?

I was watching Boys Over Flowers when they aired the show on tv back in 2008, they were showing F4 in the Philippines.



Before KPOP came to my life, I've listen to Disney songs, Big Time Rush, Justin Bieber, and Tagalog music (I still listen to tagalog music). The difference between KPOP and Disney song is that KPOP let people have the opportunity to find the true meaning of music and they also bring happiness and strength to people.



KPOP had changed my life to not give up and always find hope.Changed me for the better to learn new culture and new language.



Yes I was aware of Anti fan clubs.



My favorite artist is Shinee - Kim KiBum because he's funny and a gentleman. He know how to make people smile. Key is my bias. Choi Siwon, even though he has a serious face he came from a nice family background and a well mannered guy. Both Key and Siwon, I really like their personality.



I like KPOP because they make me happy when I'm in pain or depressed. They keep me going and made me feel to have faith for my future.



__________________________________________________________________________________

Muriah scippio

What got you into kpop?



Dragon Ball Z. That is right the anime got me into kpop. What happened was in the US back when I was growing up we had the International channel. This was a test before they broke it up to make separate channels for each country. Therefore, in the mornings it was Chinese world news, then after that some shows, music from India, Some Japanese soap operas (which were good), and so on. I would watch DBZ at night and Slayers came on afterwards which I loved anime. Therefore, one day it was after my birthday and I forgot that at the end of the year they switch the line up. So instead of DBZ it was kpop countdowns then it was Hey Hey Hey (love this show!) In addition, that was when I saw DBSK's MV Hug and Of course my crush at the start was Junsu and I ended up liking kpop from then on.



What did you listen to before? & The difference between the two.


I used to listen to US music and Jpop a lot. (Still do) Back when I was growing up. I went to an international Elementary school so listening to music from a different country was enjoyable. Then of course, kpop caused me to become attracted to it after waiting for DBZ to come on and then I added that to what I like. I mean the only difference between kpop and other music I listen to is the language. I mean music is music but music has changed a lot where it is only about the look and not the quality of music. So now it is rare to find a group or singer that is about the sound then looks come last. The type of music I like is based on vocals and dance talent.



How Kpop changed your life? Life style. How it changed you for the better.



Kpop has not really changed my life. I always am open to new cultures and new sound. Again, kpop has a unique sound that attracts me to it. My Life Style is different because I was able to meet really cool and unique people (mind you my mom thinks some of you she hasn't met are creepy old people) other than that it caused me to meet even more unique people like myself . I am still me and other factors have changed me into a new person but I've always been a fangirly type since Guy and BoyZ II Men so that part is all me. You sound good I like you and I will listen to your music.

Were you aware of Antis?

Oh heck Yeah I was very aware of antis. The Jpop and US are not big on the antis so it never really noticed antis as I noticed in kpop. In addition, do not get me started on sasaengs either. To me antis do not make sense. I mean if you do not like something then do not bother with it. To me Antis actually sound like bullies to me. How they act and what they do to a singer, Actor, and so on. It is like wow. Should I even go as far as saying they can be like Terrorist. I mean hey if you poison, Splash acid, and do horrible things to people then you are a freakin' terrorist to me. An Anti who just bashes people and does not actually cause harm but does it with words then you are a bully. It is like do you have anything else to do. You do not like being bullied but you want to bully a celebrity just to make yourself feel good is just very immature and very disappointing.



Who are you favorite artist and why? Who is your ultimate bias and why (2 people only please)



I have a long list of artist that I like my main two are Yunho (DBSK) and Inati (Dalmatian). My ultimate Bias is Yunho . I like him because well he fit is my ideal type and I am someone after seeing a person like him I refuse to settle for less. To me his Personality is spot on. Observing him through MV, s shows and stage performance and so on, you get to see different side of him. In addition, you see his flaws. However, I love his personality because he is caring and very sweet. He loves his family and friends and he can be so manly at times, even though he does not think so or believe it. I don't want to go into so much but He would be someone I could see myself with (Not saying I will end up with him)



What specifically do you like about kpop?



With kpop, you can still find a good sound and quality of music. It makes you dance and shake a tail feather, it brings tears to your eyes, and it can shock you with chills. All of that is what I grew up with through US and Jpop music and if you see my mp3 players, you know the music on it is so unique. It is like a rare treat.

And that concludes VOF for now I am always looking for new voices to add to the blog.

court cases

http://dedicatee.wordpress.com/2012/07/15/sms-history-of-losing-icon-of-defeat/

This blog talks all about SME and their history of court cases all of which they have lost before you read this very informative piece I would like to point out one thing this is taken from the blog post above.

"
Fair Trade Commission ordered SM to correct its unfair contracts made with its artists and trainees.

- Fans in Korea filed the petition with FTCK regarding SM’s unfair contract on Sep 09, 2009 after JYJ’s injunction.
- FTCK started investigation on SM (again!).
- SM ‘voluntarily’ corrected the conditions of contract with its artists after the investigation started, but also extended its contract with the trainees for additional 3 years in secret and FTCK warned such actions and ordered SM to correct this 3-year of extended contracts with its trainees as well.

- Ironically, the fans’ action against the slave contract made SM artists (that we hate as much as SM itself) had better contracts."

I do not agree with the last statement I do not hate any groups involved with SME I merely hate how they are treated that statement is merely that blog writers opinion.

There has been an update on the SME JYJ court case it would seem the case between them has once again been pushed to a later date. I am guessing it will happen either in October or some time after the Christmas holidays.