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It has been suggested that this article be merged with K-Pop. (Discuss) Proposed since March 2015.

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"K-pop" is a term for Korean Pop-culture Music. "Fans" is abbreviation commonly used to refer to the fanatics of a given subject. Subsequently, "K-pop fans" are the people interested in K-pop and its related subjects. K-pop has emerged as a strong global phenomenon. People who listen to Korean music are called K-pop fans or more usually K-poppers. K-pop fans can be from all over the world, not just Korea.

Sasaeng Fans

Stalker-like-fans, which are also known as abnormal supporters, are being called “Fans” as they have done something too exaggerated or even illegal to their idols. The majority of sasaeng fans are female or high-school students. Managers of the Korean stars have spoken to Korean media, revealing that the popular stars have followings of between 500 to 1000 sasaeng fans. Sasaeng fans often engage in activities that include stalking, taking secret pictures, and sneaking into their homes. The idols that are victims of this abuse have described the experience as making them feel as though they were living in a jail or prison. As if they were being watched and followed all the time. Block B, a Korean boy band, has asked sasaeng fans to stop visiting their dorm. One example of an extreme action taken by a sasaeng fan included writing letters using the menstrual blood and attaching pubic hair.

Airplane-followers

Some sasaeng fans have been known to follow their idols around by taking the same plane as them in order to take photos and ‘protect’ their precious idols. Sasaeng fans have also occupied entire Incheon Airports whenever their idols travel overseas, blocking roads and facilities for locals and other travelers inside the airport.

Dedication

K-pop fans are attracted to an idol's music, appearance, and personality. K-pop fans rely on their idols for personal motivation, emotional support, and inspiration. Many “are likely to listen to the comments and influence of a celebrity than their parents” (Theodosiou, 2012)

Management companies are complicit in creating super-natural images of celebrities in an attempt to gain and retain fans. These images perpetuate the belief of k-pop fans that their idols are perfect and follow their actions, style, and schedules to show their support. Management teams for these celebrities must hire security guards to accompany them at public events to protect them from fans. K-pop fans have been known to get so aggressive that security guards must use force against them to keep them away from their idols.

There is another reason why teens worship their idols. Self recognition is an issue which all teens could or have faced before. To overcome the problem, they will fill their emotional vacuum through worshiping idols. “Celebrity worshiping could thus have a prevalent influence on shaping their followers’ values, attitudes and behaviors”.

Fan bases

K-pop idols often have official fan groups. Some notable examples : Super Junior's ELF, Girls' Generation's SONE, SHINee's SHINee World, BTS' ARMY and EXO's EXO-L.

References

1. Chen, Jasmine (2013, Nov 22). The Differences between Sasaeng Fans and Normal Fans. Retrieved from http://exploringkpop.blogspot.hk/2013_11_01_archive.html
2. Soh, Elizabeth (2012, Aug 2). “Sasaeng Stalkers” (Part 1): K-pop fans turn to blood, poison for attention. Retrieved from https://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/blogs/singapore-showbiz/sasaeng-groupies-gone-wild-part-1-k-fans-141105992.html
3. KoreaBoo (2014, Oct 21). Block B pleads to sasaeng fans to stop visiting their dorm. Retrieved from http://www.koreaboo.com/trending/trending-block-b-pleads-sasaeng-fans-stop-visiting-dorm/
4. EXO Love (2013, Aug 16). EXO reveals the hardship of having Sasaeng fans. Retrieved from http://exo-love.com/exo-reveals-the-hardship-of-having-sasaeng-fans/
5. Donna (2013, May 28).10 Craziest Things that Fans Did for their Idols. Retrieved from http://www.oddee.com/item_98593.aspx
6. mykpopidol (2012, Aug 7). Surrounded by Fans, Luhan EXO-M Fell at The Airport. Retrieved from http://mykpopidol.blogspot.hk/2012/08/surrounded-by-fans-luhan-exo-m-fell-at.html
7. ExoticPlanet (2013, Sep 30). SASAENG FANS NEED TO STOP!!!!!. Retrieved from http://ourexoticplanet.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/sasaeng-needs-to-stop/
8. Theodosiou, Barbara (2012, Mar 30). Celebrity Influences and Their Negative Impact on Today's Youth. Retrieved from http://www.reneweveryday.com/blogs/addicts-mom/celebrity-influences-and-their-negative-impact-on-todays-youth/
9. Oddnessweirdness (2012, Nov 7). KPOP WTF: IDOL MANAGERS BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT FOR HITTING FANS. Retrieved from http://oddnessweirdness.blogspot.hk/2012/11/kpop-wtf-idol-managers-back-in.html
10. Schultze, Q. J., Anker, R. M., Bratt, J. D., Romanowkski, W. D., Worst, J. W. & Zuidervaart, L. (1991) Dancing in the Dark: Youth, Popular Culture, and the Electronic Media. Grand Rapids, MI: Williams B. Eerdmans.
11. Farzana, Farah (2013, Sep 8). Kpop Fans Speech. Retrieved from http://www.scribd.com/doc/166412903/Kpop-Fans-Speech

• Articles to be merged from March 2015
• Misplaced Pages articles needing copy edit from December 2014
• K-pop
• Music fandom