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

"K-pop" is a term for Korean pop-culture music. "Fans" is an abbreviation for fanatics of a given subject. Subsequently, "K-pop fans" are people interested in K-pop and its related subjects. K-pop has emerged as a strong global phenomenon, and their fans are found all over the world, both inside and outside of Korea.

Sasaeng fans

Stalker-like fans, also known as abnormal supporters, are called “Sasaeng fans” because they have either done something too exaggerated or invaded their idols' privacy. Korean popular stars have between 500 to 1,000 Sasaeng fans, according to the stars' managers. The majority of Sasaeng fans are female or high-school students who engage in activities such as stalking, taking secret pictures and sneaking into their idols' private homes. Their idols claim that these people make them feel like they are living in a jail or prison, as they are constantly being watched and followed. 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 occurred when one fan wrote letters using menstrual blood and attached pubic hair.

Airplane-followers

Some Sasaeng fans follow their idols around taking the same plane as them in order to take pictures and "protect" them. Some fans occupy the entire Incheon Airport whenever their idols travel overseas.

Dedication

K-pop fans are attracted by their idol's music, appearance and personality. They rely on their idols for personal motivation, emotional support and inspiration. "Many are likely to listen to the comments and influences of a celebrity than their parents.”

Management companies create supernatural images of celebrities in order to gain and retain fans. These images make K-pop fans believe their idols are perfect, encouraging them to follow their actions and style. Managers must hire security guards to accompany them at public events to protect them from fans. Moreover, K-pop fans are known to be so aggressive that security guards must use force against them to keep them away from their idols.

Another reason teens worship their idols is self-recognition, as fans will fill their emotional vacuum through worshiping idols. “Celebrity worshiping could thus have a prevalent influence on shaping their followers’ values, attitudes, and behaviors”.

Fanbases

K-pop idols often have official fanbases with a specific name. Some notable examples are: Super Junior's ELF, Girls' Generation's SONE, B.A.P's BABY, BTS' ARMY, EXO's EXO-L, and BIGBANG's VIP.

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. 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/
7. 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
8. 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.
9. 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
• K-pop
• Music fandom