Music / Idols
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Thank You, Idol, For Being a Human Being; You’re a Saint

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Written by On January 1, 2012

Whenever an idol does something horribly bad, while there is a camp of fandom that criticizes the idol, there is also a camp of fandom that comes to their defense. They’re just people and if the average person can make a mistake, then idols should be able to as well. This is all fine and dandy but I would like to take this opportunity to say that in that case, the inverse should be true as well. While fans have a tendency to forgive their idols for their common mistakes, they also have a tendency to praise their idols for their common courtesy. But if fans are going to argue that idols should not be treated any differently than anybody else for their errors, then they shouldn’t be treated any differently than anybody else for being decent human beings.

Fans recently captured footage of 2NE1′s Park Bom reprimanding her manager for allegedly pushing a fan. While the manager hadn’t actually pushed the fan, of course Bom is being praised like the second coming of Christ, with fans filling the YouTube pages with comments such as “You are angel on earth <3,” ”Angel PARK BOM <3,” and  ”I LOVE YOU BOMMIE <3.” And while they have high praise and hymns for Park Bom & Co., fans are also bringing up the infamous incidences surrounding top idol bands, DBSK, SHINee, and CN Blue, where fans were mistreated by idol managers and the idols didn’t do anything.

The latter, I get. In the world of Korean entertainment, fans are active and aggressive. When some managers react and respond with unnecessary and more importantly, inappropriately with violence, that is many things but among them, it is wrong. While I can’t speak for DBSK, SHINee, CN Blue, or whatever idol group that allegedly allowed one of their fan girls to get whipped back and forth, I can say this: in a situation in which someone is being being victimized through violence, while most people wouldn’t ride in on a white horse and save said individual, any human being would, at the very least, ask, tell, or, if they’re extraordinary, make them stop. If you disagree, then all I can say is you have to have more faith in humanity. So regardless of what actually happened in the DBSK, SHINee, CN Blue situations, any human being in such a situation would have said something to the effect of “Stop.” Anyone who doesn’t do that, or something akin to that, is not your average human being. And someone who goes above and beyond that is not your average human being either. Someone who does do that, is just a run-of-the-mill human being. If you disagree: have more faith in humanity.

In this specific case, after Park Bom witnessed her fan being allegedly pushed, she asked/said to her manager, did not scold, yell, save, or anything that would indicate overt proactivism, to “Stop pushing.” She’s definitely not a bad person, but she’s definitely not an “angel” either. She is a normal, average human being that can, just like the rest of us, empathize and sympathize.

But before you come at me with flame throwers and pitch forks, if Park Bom, or any other idol, were to do something of the exact opposite nature like drink or drive, smoke illegal substances, or evade paying their taxes, while it doesn’t excuse their actions, fans rightfully come to their defense and say something to the effect of “They’re human too!” And so, these idols are forgiven because they are people and just like other people, they should be forgiven for their mistakes as well. But if we’re going along the same line of logic, that idols are human too, then just like other humans, they shouldn’t be canonized for humanity.

This incidence isn’t the only incidence either. Idols are constantly and repeatedly praised for committing to the most mundane of manners. “[Insert idol here] says ‘Bless you!’” “[Insert idol here] tips fairly!” “[Insert idol here] does not commit mass murder”—these sensational exclamations of idolization are ridiculous. There are some things I get and totally support. Lee Hyori’s charity towards several animal related causes is respectable; Kim Junsu building a school in Cambodia is commendable; and; idols engaging in the “Letters from Angels” project is heartbreakingly kind. These are things most people don’t do. And while most people aren’t in a position to do them, others, who are in the same position, don’t do them. It is acts like these that deserve our love and respect.

Idols prove that they are special, not only in body and mind, but also in heart and soul every day. But not by telling individual A to not push individual B. In comparison to all the good, generous things going on in K-Pop, it’s trivial.

I’m happy that Park Bom & 2NE1 fans have the opportunity to see her do what they interpret as her caring about her fans. But people should not exacerbate and exaggerate her character. I’m sure there are plenty of reasons to call her an “Apostle” or a “Justice,” but I’m just as sure that this mundane incident is not one of them. Please have more faith in your idols. You shouldn’t praise them for these acts; you should expect these acts. It is because we don’t that certain idols, managers, and companies think they can get away with their lack of common decency.

(YouTube)

 

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  • http://tulipbiscuit.tumblr.com/ Emma

    I completely agree when you say that we should expect these mundane acts of kindness that everyone should be doing in our idols. I also hate it when people let their idols off for serious things instead of looking at what they did as a crime or wrong, trying to explain it away as ‘just human.’

    But I think that Park Bom’s ‘stop pushing’ situation was not a very good example of too much praise. Yes, we SHOULD expect idols to be just as kind as everyone else in any given situation, but the reality is that most of the time, they just aren’t. When the SHINee thing blew up, lots of people got mad at SHINee for not doing anything. And lots of people tried to justify the fact that they did nothing about it for whatever reason. Whether they wanted to help but couldn’t do it or didn’t care either way is not the point. The point is that in these situations, idols TEND to (as far as I know) NOT stop their managers or other personnel from getting physical with the fans. The positive response to Park Bom, therefore, is based on the fact that you don’t get that from every idol, so when one does so, it’s fairly unusual. The general pattern is to not do anything, so something like this is a pretty big deal.

    Let me give a different example, not related to idols.

    On most of the West Coast as far as I know, it’s not polite to treat somebody differently if they are of a different sexual orientation than heterosexual. At least that’s how it is in Seattle, where I live. So therefore, if you treat someone differently because of this fact, you get heavily criticized. You WILL lose friends. It’s considered a common courtesy. But if you go somewhere else in the world that’s more conservative where people will generally treat you differently (read: NEGATIVELY) if they know that you are not heterosexual. So the general pattern in this other place is VERY different from the general pattern on the West Coast. Now, say, someone in the West Coast reads a blog article about someone’s experience of equal treatment and respect in this country EVEN THOUGH their sexual orientation is outside the norms. They might think ‘why is this worth writing about, isn’t that just being human?’ and be annoyed by the positive feedback on the article from all sorts of people saying what a saintly thing this was. Yes, it SHOULD just be being human, but in this other country, they haven’t gotten there yet. It’s a break in the pattern that could help even just a little bit at changing the pattern.

    I’d like to think that when fans make a big deal of praising an idol for something simple, it’s like positive reinforcement. You do something good, you get lots of praise. While I think that idols SHOULD be as kind as anyone else, in certain situations I’m not seeing that pattern emerging.

  • http://twitter.com/zamuz gonzalo muñoz ferrer

    I think it’s really easy to go too far with the conclusions one reaches by observing how people on the internet react to what idols do and don’t do. The people who praised Bom for what she did were just that: people who decided to praise her in a post. Quite possibly, there’s are far more people out there who think she did nothing extraordinary, but they didn’t care enough to point that out in writing like one would expect any self-respecting “netizen” to do.

    It’s just like those polls Korean media loves to do. No matter the question (“who would you like to go on a vacation with?”, “who would you like to walk under the rain with?”, etc), if Yoona from SNSD is one of the possible answers, she’s probably going to win. Lots of people don’t care enough about those polls to even click the “Vote” button, but Yoona fans sure do (like any fan might when it’s something related to their favorite artist) and that’s why more often than not she lands in the #1 position: because people who care about voting, do so.

  • Anonymous

    Bless you, Subi. I hate it when someone says “He/she/they’re human, too.” It’s like a cliche and cliches bug the heck out of me. I highly doubt anyone is stupid enough to think that idols aren’t human like the rest of us – with the exception of overly zealous fans that moronically perceive idols as angels or some chiz. And if an idol is a human being than they should be treated as thus, not given special treatment. There’s no need for fans to fawn over Park Bom for telling her manager not to push. There’s no need to fawn over an idol for hugging another person or offering gratitude or help. As far as I’m concerned, until an idol donates their time to saving starving children or rushes into a building to help a person in need, THEY’RE NOT ANGELS.

  • Claire

    I believe it’s safe to say that some adore their idols to the point of worshipping them. I for one, indulge myself in kpop because it’s a nice break from the seriousness of everyday life. For the epic fangirls though? I think it’s more that kpop has become their everyday life and they are completely immersed in it. For that, “oppa”, “noona”, or “unnie” (the list goes on) are idolized (in the true sense of it). I don’t think I go too far if I draw a parallel to religion.

    How many times have I come across Sones calling SNSD “true godesses”? (Now for people planning to bash me for using SNSD, in my defense, I’ve only read those type of things in SNSD videos so I can’t really bring up any other exemple…) More than anything, I find it disturbing because as your post so clearly explains, idols are human beings just like you and me, with flaws and qualities.  I don’t think fan(atic)s can be reasoned with though: they view their idol through pink sunglasses: everything is pretty and perfect and goodness forbid anyone should critisize or *legasp* even worse DISLIKE them. Only when their “gods” make mistakes are they brought back to harsh reality and reminded of very solid bounds their idols have to this earth. And even then, some would go lengths to defend their idols. It reminds me of this little cartoon I saw a while back on facebook where the cartoonist basically defends God of his mistakes (it’s actually quite endearing and sweet).
    To a certain extent, them defending the wrongs of their idols could be a way of struggling to keep that sweet illusion of perfection, and the “they’re only human they can make mistakes” coming from their mouths resonates emptily, and the next day turns back into “[insert idol name] is flawless”.

    PS: I may be wrong, but I think seoulbeats already did a post on idols being worshipped and how this is exactly what the companies want them to be portrayed as.

    • 123456789

      I haven’t seen this kind of worshiping or such blinded fans before getting into kpop, and like you said, especially the Sones. Yoona can just smile at someone and someone will label her as humble, sweet, angelic, and goddess. Jessica signing an autograph for someone at the airport is labeled as kind, sweet, and humble too. Anything they do, they are praised like they are gods or something. I think you are right, kpop is a religion for some fangirls. 

      • Claire

        Well in response to what you said about jessica, I actually find an idol signing an autograph is quite nice considering their enormous schedule and the fact that they can’t possibly respond to every single fan (sorry, I couldn’t resist saying that :P)
        And I didn’t pinpoint the Sones, I just couldn’t find any other example in terms of fans comparing their idols to deity. In any case, ELFs blackjacks and many other are just as aggressive when it comes to defending their idols.

    • IZ M

      It’s just the same with every kpop idol fans.

  • Claire

    I believe it’s safe to say that some adore their idols to the point of worshipping them. I for one, indulge myself in kpop because it’s a nice break from the seriousness of everyday life. For the epic fangirls though? I think it’s more that kpop has become their everyday life and they are completely immersed in it. For that, “oppa”, “noona”, or “unnie” (the list goes on) are idolized (in the true sense of it). I don’t think I go too far if I draw a parallel to religion.

    How many times have I come across Sones calling SNSD “true godesses”? (Now for people planning to bash me for using SNSD, in my defense, I’ve only read those type of things in SNSD videos so I can’t really bring up any other exemple…) More than anything, I find it disturbing because as your post so clearly explains, idols are human beings just like you and me, with flaws and qualities.  I don’t think fan(atic)s can be reasoned with though: they view their idol through pink sunglasses: everything is pretty and perfect and goodness forbid anyone should critisize or *legasp* even worse DISLIKE them. Only when their “gods” make mistakes are they brought back to harsh reality and reminded of very solid bounds their idols have to this earth. And even then, some would go lengths to defend their idols. It reminds me of this little cartoon I saw a while back on facebook where the cartoonist basically defends God of his mistakes (it’s actually quite endearing and sweet).
    To a certain extent, them defending the wrongs of their idols could be a way of struggling to keep that sweet illusion of perfection, and the “they’re only human they can make mistakes” coming from their mouths resonates emptily, and the next day turns back into “[insert idol name] is flawless”.

    PS: I may be wrong, but I think seoulbeats already did a post on idols being worshipped and how this is exactly what the companies want them to be portrayed as.

  • Brittany

    This article is pointless. The simple fact of the matter is SHINee sat by and watched their manager hit a girl, CNBlue as well, Park Bom didn’t and most idols have proved they wouldn’t stop their manager from abusing their /own/ fans.

    And idk what rock the author of this article lives under but most people would not say something to the effect of “stop!” if I lack faith in humanity you certainly put too much into it.

    • SS

      Completely agree. This is just another one of Subi’s pointless articles. Reading her writing is often akin to reading the unedited ramblings of a disgruntled kpop anti-fan. 

      Park Bom did something nice and fans appreciated it. 

      And as for the delusional youtube comments: every youtube video has some ridiculous, exaggerated, this person is more amazing than God comment. Youtube is where the more idiotic, illogical comments go to die. 

      Why would anyone take those seriously?

      • tegami

              The line, “Reading her writing is often akin to reading the unedited ramblings of a disgruntled kpop anti-fan”, made me laugh, but I’d have to agree.  I felt like Subi could’ve gotten her arguments across in a less convoluted manner.  The latter portion of the third paragraph left me scratching my head, and I had to read over it a few times to actually make sense of what she was trying to say,  
        “Anyone who doesn’t do that, or something akin to that, is not your average human being. And someone who goes above and beyond that is not your average human being either. Someone who does do that, is just a run-of-the-mill human being”.        Huh?       This article is rather pointless… The message that we  shouldn’t praise idols for acting as responsible citizens but rather expect that of them is commendable; but the arguments upholding this point were rather flimsy and were not presented in a clear and concise manner.          The thing that irked me when reading the article was the presentation of the author’s opinions as truths, and anyone who disagreed was apparently lacking faith in humanity.  Well.  Way to alienate your readership there.  Those statements about what qualifies a person as a “run-of-the-mill human being” are too broad and general to be effective arguments.          Articles like this really should be edited before they’re uploaded.

        • Boo

          “The thing that irked me when reading the article was the presentation of the author’s opinions as truths, and anyone who disagreed was apparently lacking faith in humanity”

          A+

          The general tone of this article has been somewhat condescending. Seeing as I disagree with her, I feel even more incensed. lol

      • Boo

        Some of the writers here have the uncanny ability to make mountains over molehills, making a lot of convoluted reasons as to why idols are shit and we shouldn’t like them too much/trust them/be a fan of them (see SNSD skinny article, Shipping article, and several wank posts usually the ones with most comments).

        I like going to Seoulbeats because some articles here are fun to read. Some articles’ lack of research tho become glaringly obvious. One article said abracadabra came out in 2008 or was it 2007. That’s just one example among several. There needs to be some sort of quality filter otherwise other not so informed readers will just take some things as truth.

  • Weira

    LOL this article is so true. If an idol hands a tissue over to someone, fangirls everywhere will go, “OMG ANGEL!!!11one” “OPPAR/UNNIR IS SO KIND AND GENTLE” “UNNIR YOU ARE SO AMAZING AND SWEET TRULY HUMBLE~~”

    Something that mundane does not deserve praise, as anyone would do something like that. However, not everyone would build a school in Cambodia. (Junsu) Not everyone secretly will bring food, clothes, radio, and other items to an old man who lives in the mountains that was featured on TV or go on missions to Haiti. (Sunye) Those are the idols truly making a difference in the world.

  • lay

    of course none of them idols are angels,or gods or goddess, and nor are we all. but a good deed is a good deed. no need to over-analyse.

    • eboy07

      Log off the fanboy wagon.

  • Asdfdsf

    “ I can say this: in a situation in which someone is being being victimized through violence, while most people wouldn’t ride in on a white horse and save said individual, any human being would, at the very least, ask, tell, or, if they’re extraordinary, make them stop.”

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bystander_effect
    mmmm no not really

    • tegami

      It’s true.  The author was being a little naive when she wrote that because the fact of the matter is, in most cases, a lot of people will actually not do anything. 

      Apathy is a disease that is slowly killing society.  

  • Anonymous

    I love SB soo much, it’s like I’m addicted….

    Everytime I visit the site and read one of the articles, it’s like we have the same opinions…
    Whenever I visit Allkpop and see atricles about this idol being praised by the smallest thing like blowing their nose (OKAY, maybe not blowing their nose, but you understand what I’m getting at, right? Trivial things.) it sickens me. I have an EX- friend who obsesses over SNSD , like invested 700 dollars in their posters, photobooks, deluxe albums and claims not to be a crazed fanatic…he is the main reason why I can’t bring myself to like their work til this day…

    If Idols keep getting praised for having “golden hair,” “goddess like this or that,” or “a saint for blessing a child after they sneeze (sorry…strange obsession with noses today lol), it might actually go to their head. Next thing you knoowww, that’ll be their own downfall…

  • Mika

    What I have a problem with isn’t necessarily the praise idols recieve for doing something good, and while the praise does go a bit overboard sometimes, it doesn’t really have any extremely negative effects. Rather, what annoys me is when idols get into drunk-driving accidents, or smoke illegal substances, and their fans come to their defense with the lines “Everyone makes mistakes” or “A lot of American celebrities do it, too”, or “A lot of people do this kind of stuff”. For example, when netizens dug up a picture of an idol drinking or smoking when he/she was underage, I saw a lot of comments about how lots of teens smoke and drink alcohol, comments implying that because everyone else does it, that means it’s okay to do it. And while this may be a part of the idol’s past, and the idol has probably changed, it worries me that these commenters are condoning such actions. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want people to go out and persecute teens who smoke and drink, but I don’t think it’s right that these actions be accepted or condoned either, because as these actions are accepted, more and more teens might actually start to smoke and drink, and then we have another whole set of problems.

    I understand that criticism from netizens is often harsh, so fans find the need to defend their idols for their past misdeeds, but the line “everyone else does it too” should never be used in their argument. Just because a lot of underage people smoke or drink, or a lot of adults drunk-drive and get high doesn’t mean that it’s okay.

    • Nana

      That “everyone else does it too” is just as annoying as “oppa/eonni didn’t mean it!” I mean for Christ’s sake, if your idol is pushing 30 *coughSUJUcough*, he/she would be able to understand the repercussions of their actions or words and they don’t need an equally immature delusional “well-meaning” fan to cover their asses.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_LL4QDJLVFDT2RDIZYBALSE75JE angel29

    I read the article in AKP and I thought it was something big.  Like most reports in AKP, it was much ado about nothing.  Bom just gave a mere reaction and in jest.  Because there was an article on that site, it is but natural that fans reacted. I think the title was phrased according to how whoever wrote that wanted fans to react.  It has the same bearing as making articles on idols and their daily selcas and tweets.  I love Bom but when I saw your title, I thought you were referring to some other incident. 

    This is 2012.  Can we make a resolution not carry over topics this lame and which should only be left in AKP?

  • Anonymous

    i get what u saying…. but i think the reason why they praise her like that is cause idols aren’t known for their common courtesy. yea, we should expect them to be but it doesn’t change the fact that most of them aren’t.

  • Anonymous

    I think it varies from situation to situation 
    Park Boms situation was different from this 

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA5-Rp5FVd8

    But there is no situation where a manger should be allowed to hit the way CN Blue’s manager hit or throw people off escalators 

  • Anonymous

    I couldn’t agree more. I mean, praising an idol and trying to nominate them for a Nobel Peace prize for bowing to sunbaes, saying thank you to fans in a winning speech, helping a person out of kindness and common courtesy? That’s what you do with dogs or toddlers, not grown adults who should have been taught such manners. It’s sad that we find such little things praise worthy. I know politics are full of the scum of the earth and I know there are some douche bags who would steal from their own mothers and somehow be able to sleep at night, but is the world so corrupt and lacking in human decency that we need to call these people saints for doing something that should be expected of them in the first place?

  • Anonymous

    Wow, I’m actually somewhat impressed. This anecdote reads like something out of a drama or manga–a famous person coming to the aid of a commoner. I do think Park Bom deserves some praise in this case. She took notice of something that most people would probably ignore and did something about it. While making her out to be a saint is only being unfair to her as no one can live up to that kind of expectation, she should be commended for showing care to another person. Bravo!

  • Japan_qaf

    It would be great if every idol stopped theiramagers from going too far bit fact is
    …they dont. Most of the times i cant believe they are humans that care for their fans cuz they stand there and do nothing. Thats why bom gets praised because she said something! Its sad that we as fans dont expect it.

  • Tigana

    Personally, I don’t blame Shinee or CN bLue for not stopping their managers. I’m just amazed they didn’t bitch-slap any of their fans thus far. Those botches are crazy as fuck and if slap is what takes for them to wake up, I say hit on.

    I can’t express properly how disgusted I am at seeing those young people act like fanatics, dedicating their lives to worshiping idols. Barf. Have some dignity. If they were half as invested in their own lives as in the lives of their idols, they would actually get somewhere.

  • http://gabidubu.tumblr.com Gabi

    I agree fans shouldn’t think Bom is a goddess sent from heaven. I also agree that people, not just idols, should be a little bit more empathic towards the other. But maybe, just maybe, all this hype could help to make the idols realize that their managers shouldn’t go overboard with the “bodyguard” role. Maybe this could get in our idols’ conscience and think “ah, I should’ve said something that time, too”. Maybe I’m being way too optimistic thinking that their minds are at least taking it into consideration, but sometimes this kind of hype about “good citizen behavior” situations can help to make a statement into people’s heads. This could be a ridiculous topic to some, but this mundane topics are the most revealing since we read it and feel nothing about it. Just by caring a tiny little bit (not asking for heroes here), it can help to make a difference. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Anngelica-Aguilar/100000185514336 Anngelica Aguilar

    I understand that many fans over exaggerate when praising their idols for the smallest things. When I read Bom’s article on allkpop I was like “oh lord -__-” But when I watched the video I  myself started thinking, “well that was nice of her”. I don’t think she should be called an Angel or anything but I think fans should be able to appreciate the nice gesture.
     
    However, I don’t think all idols who don’t do anything are evil or inhumane. I haven’t looked up the ordeals involving CNBlue, SHINee, or DBSK but there are situations such as with JYJ when they arrived at China 
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiECmqLE-OQ they were basically swarmed with fan girls trying to get at them. And of course the managers were pushing many of them away but as an idol in that situation what can you do but ignore and try to make yourself through the crowd? As in the link above, what could Jaejoon have done? I don’t think him telling his managers and bodyguards to stop would have been a smart move, especially once the fans started shoving almost causing Jaejoon to be crushed. There are some situations where fans just become too crazy. Of course that also doesn’t give the managers and bodyguards to do anything like punch someone. 

    The point is, I think fans should be able to feel thankful towards her nice gesture (of course without over exaggerating). Although these gestures should be expected, not every person do them and not every situation may give you the opportunity too (such as with JYJ).

  • Anonymous

    THANK YOU. My god, some fans are so overacting. 

  • Melimoo1995

    I don’t consider Bom a human being, humans don’t get that much work done, and if they were to at least the can move their face, Bom was pretty before the surgeries idk why she ever had any

    • mrsjung

      obviously going under the knife obviously made her happy and confident. gosh get over it.

  • Guest

    well, there’s a lot of difference. it depends on the situation.

    in situation like this, how can you expect them to tell the bodyguard not to push the fangirls?

  • Anonymous

    well said! i do think some fans take it to the extreme in trying to praise their idols to put them in a good light

  • Boo

    I don’t understand who you’re trying to berate tho. The fans (whose actions they are responsible for btw and we have absolutely no right to control) or the idols (for doing whatever it is they do). The idol does something nice. I hate to tell you but a lot of people don’t speak out against injustice. A decent human being WOULD but it doesn’t mean reality lives up to the ideal. If the idol does something nice, fans are allowed to appreciate it. If they go overboard in their praises and it bugs the crap out of you, then…let’s see the fans don’t really lose anything don’t they.

    Can I just say that I used to love Yoochun but seeing him grab his fan’s camera and yell at her just turned me off.

    • Yuka5470

      “Can I just say that I used to love Yoochun but seeing him grab his fan’s camera and yell at her just turned me off.”

      just like what subi’s said “idols are human too”

      if an idol can feel empathy and sympathy too, why can’t they feel angry or disturbed too? when mostly coming from an instant emotion? becoz when you’re tired, body and soul, a little accident could lit up the fire.

      just saying,

      • Boo

        Just because humans have been known to attack people doesn’t make it right now does it. 

        As an idol, you have the responsibility to be polite and professional. It’s not just a human requirement, it’s a job requirement. I understand the reasons why Yoochun felt angry, I also understand why a person would kill another person in the heat of the moment, but those reasons will never make the resulting action right.The fact that idols are capable of attacking their fans should, in fact, highlight the idols who are respectful of their fans at all times and make an effort to stop their managers from pushing fans. 

        Your comment appears to be a fitting example of the “Oppa didn’t mean it” fans. 

        • Boo

          Also, getting turned off by Yoochun is a personal choice. My choice. Just saying. 

          • Anonymous

            i think you are not a true fan in the first place..
            after just seeing one incident that only viewed on videos/fancams/ and neither one side of the story of both party is accurately stated and you came up into a decision of not loving him anymore instead you are turned off…

            if you know him so well and loved him in the first place ..i think there will always be a part of you who can also forgive and understand. its not that im being “oppa didn’t mean it” fan but everything that we see on fancams are not the whole story… i admit, it turned me off as well..but its not something that will totally not love him anymore and im not even in the right position to judge his act because im not even there.

            you see. BB had some big issues in 2011. but do i hate them? no.. do i judged them in a snap and lost my love? no. 
            but im not like that because im a blind fan and take everything as “its ok” . but because im not in a position to judge accordingly ..if i have a good knowledge about laws then i may be in my good judgement.

            its just that. dont let one mistake ruin everything that you have built between your idol and you..

            If you are going to believe this and that, or just move on to someone else,
            then don’t like them from the start.
            It will only be scars upon that singer/group.

          • Boo

            Oh wow. I’m sorry I’m not good enough of a fan for your lofty standards. I call them as I see them and please I hardly think my bias cares or is affected. I’m just a fan and he/she is a person from a different country. Thinking that I am able to “scar” my idol by critiquing him/losing interest in him is pretentious tbh. It’s what cray fans are made of. My 2 cents.

            Still my choice tho bb. Still a kpop fan. Still not Yoochun’s biggest fan. Watchoogonedo?

          • Olivia0415

            We aren’t gonna do anything. The only thing you’ve done is make itself look like a stupid fan

  • Aya

    i raised my eyebrows on the news…but hah…as long as they dont do any harm to other living things on earth, i wont care a bit.

    i just helped a little birdie who fell from it’s nest, so..can i call myself an angel now?

  • happyslip

    I almost, almost stopped reading the article when the writer referenced youtube comments. If a site like AKP couldn’t be taken seriously at all, I wonder why some people still consider youtube comments as a decent source to put more weight for topics like this. It’s not even a good example.

    I read the article on AKP about her being an apostle of Justice and I honest to goodness laughed at how funny it was. After all, there will always be people who will have extreme opinions over things — you just learn to not take it seriously especially if you see those on sites that shouldn’t completely influence you to begin with (AKP and youtube comments are examples).

    And mind you, there are a lot of sane fans out there who didn’t really seeit as something saintly, not even close to it. Just because an article wrote a title as exaggerated as “apostle of justice” doesn’t mean more than 60% of the fans literally said the same thing. 
    I liked what Bom did. Personally, I somewhat wish the boys of SHINee and CN Blue did something similar to it but then again, their situation is totally different — you can’t completely blame them, nor make a direct comparison to Bom’s situation. I won’t tag her as an apostle of justice, but I wouldn’t dwell so much about the overzealous fans’ reactions either.

  • Anonymous

    im confused with the whole article actually.

    but this is just my plain side.
    theres a reason why idols (DBSK, CN blue, shinee) do not defend nor react on situations like you said so… in the event like that they were taught on how to behave …if they react on situations like Bom did then it can cause more chaos… especially that the one you are pointing was DBSK(a lot of fangirls that surrounds like ninjas)… this is also why.. DBSK lost their precious smile when they were in airport cause a little smile, a little smirk, a little wave, a little sign of affection is equal to C.H.A.O.S… 

    as much as i want them to defend the fans but I am wishing them not to and let the security do their part. Safety is everything. Not that I want them to be secured and nevermind the fans but they were human as well and and so we are. We are always on guard with our own safety.

    this video is a good example ..
    sometimes, its the fan’s fault as well.. behaving like that makes their idols scared. 

    • jess1

      That is why I am with Subi here though.
      You said they were taught how to behave, etc. because of reactions from fans – well, that makes them assholes in my book. Forget the things taught to you. If one person falls, a HUMAN’s initial reaction is to help or at least show that you saw it and offer to help and not just walk like it was just your imagination.

      But the fans…I know there are super aggressive fans and I think managers are “forced” to use strength to protect these idols, but of course it should not be to an extent where they can cause harm. Maybe some are accidental but there are also some which aren’t.

      • Anonymous

        “That is why I am with Subi here though.”im confused.. you agreed with subi but your explanation is contradicting though..

        i think subi doesn’t mean here that idols should atleast react or sympathize with their fans if any incident happened.. subi emphasize that fans should not  exacerbate and exaggerate the good deed as if he was a saint. as simple as that. 

        and you think they care less because they do not show any reaction? i dont think so. they feel sorry about it too..but its just that ‘the greatest good for the greatest number’ theory is more applicable in any situation like this.. and its not always their job to scold their guards for being so harsh. bodyguards are hired by the management and were trained what to do.. so blame the management for not lecturing their bodyguards proper safety control.

  • http://twitter.com/PutuDianisa Putu Dianisa RD

    I think DBSK, SHINee, or CNBlue couldn’t have a chance to say those words to their manager. Fans are cheering, shouting, pulling, pushing excessively, an poor idols can not do anything besides take shelter among security/manager guard.
    And i doubt those idols had a chance to say sorry, they’re to busy to save themselves from those hunger fans.
    If those fans come to them nicely, of course the idols respond them nicely too. It’s vice versa. Not someone is an angel and others are ignorant :)

  • G.

    I find it interesting that you chose Park Bom as an example of how people over-glorify the actions of idols when more people react to tweets that Yoseob posts scolding his fans. “OMG Yoseob oppar is so great! So understanding!”

    But yeah. In general, k-pop fans just need to get their shit together and come back to reality.

  • Anonymous

    Some fans are scary and some idols act like divas. Too sad that common courtesy is viewed like some heroic act (I mean generally, not Bom´s incident).

  • momolito

    i never comment but in the CN blue situation i was appalled when i saw the video. There is no way or situation the a man should hit a woman, and in this case is teenager fan. Asian fans are not as impulsive a western fan. I have lived through menudo, nkotb, bsb,nsync (yes im a super  noona). And i have seen more wildly fans crying and fainting. If i were near the cnblue mananger i would have slaped him,because he is the adult and need to take control of the situation, you should never under any situation slap a woman. Im happy that at least park bom had the guts to stop the manager. Beacuse in the case of shinnee and cn blue theres a lot to be desired. I wish more idols have the balls to put under control their managers

    • Whisperingnotes

      I have to disagree with you about ‘under any situation, you should never hit a woman’ comment. I believe if the situation calls for it, a guy has every right to hit a woman. Hitting a guy is okay, but hitting a woman is a crime? Wanting gender equality comes with a price. Of course, I’m not saying what the manager did is right; what I am talking about is not, in any way, connected to that incident. It’s just my opinion about how some women keep harping about gender equality, yet when a woman us hit by a man, it’s a crime. Of course, one should always resort to this kind of violence only in extreme situations, like when they’re being attacked, and this applies to people in general.

  • apostleofjustice

    I love my Bom to bits she’s the most adorable, but ‘Apostle of Justice’ is just LOL-tastic. I mean I’m sure the writer of the article just made that up to catch readers’ attention. Or is it from one of the video comments? Well, if it is, nice one!  HAHA why would you take any of this seriously,  people shouldn’t anymore, no matter how hard you preach  fans to stop worshipping and praising their idols like gods over the smallest of things they’re not gonna stop because most of what kpop fandoms are made up of are not level headed people like us here *coughcough* 

    whether or not Bom or any of the idols told person A not to push person B, there will still be unrealistic praises thrown around. It’s Kpop idolatry and media play at its best in the article. As it has always been, nothing new to be honest.P.S I don’t see anything wrong with the comment ‘I LOVE YOU BOMMIE<3'.

  • Black_rose45000

    Finally I read someone speaking my mind about this whole thing with fans’ exaggeration over small good deeds their idols do. Seriously, I side-eyed people who praised SUJU’s Yesung and Hangeng (Yesung even had a report news over the whole thing, wth) for having bought restaurants for their parents. For the love of God, it’s only normal to take care of your parents, and they’re just a bit more lucky than most of us for having done it at an earlier age, when we’re still struggling with our lives.

    “There are some things I get and totally support. Lee Hyori’s charity towards several animal related causes is respectable; Kim Junsu building a school in Cambodia is commendable; and; idols engaging in the “Letters from Angels” project is heartbreakingly kind. These are things most people don’t do. And while most people aren’t in a position to do them, others, who are in the same position, don’t do them. It is acts like these that deserve our love and respect.”
    EXACTLY. Charity acts or anything that involves helping other people, *strangers*, not your own family/friends, or the environment. That is the only thing I deem worthy to take into consideration. I didn’t know about all those cases you mentioned, but I did know about a couple of others. 

    The only thing I slightly disagree with you is the whole thing about those bands not trying to stop their managers from pushing (?) – as long as it was just pushing, not hitting – fans, because, tbh, I don’t know what the exact situation was, and given the fact some fans get pretty crazy, I can’t judge any of the parts involved. But if fans display inappropriate behavior that requires for such drastic measures such as *pushing*, then, I’m ok with it. A lot of fans don’t know their limits when it comes to many things, from scratching and stalking and whatever, to openly bashing and attacking due to jealousy crises.

    Thank you for writing this article! 

    • Gftguf

      In Korea, if you are a good daughtern or son, everyone loves you and wants you to marry their children. That’s why there’s even an acronym um chin na standing for my mom’s friend’s son that everyone adores. That is why yesung and hangeng were on the news. That I considered a commendable act. Because I have never seen anyone here in the states buy their parents a new house or restaurant. Have you?

      • Black_rose45000

        If it’s a culture thing I may have missed, then I accept that and am willing to know more about it so I refrain from judging in the future.

        “Because I have never seen anyone here in the states buy their parents a new house or restaurant. Have you?” I don’t live in the states, but I grew up with the “study hard, get a job, get a life so you can help your parents when they grow old and powerless” mindset, it’s sorta how we were taught. Not saying everyone does that, but I find it a common sense thing. And no, not buying a restaurant or house, but let’s face it, not everyone is an idol (or whatever else) earning enough money for that. My point is, taking care of your parents, as much as you can possibly afford, should be normal, and not considered something so rare and extraordinary that it deserves great amount of praise. My opinion.

  • xolisaox

    Park Bom just radiates a positive energy, the angelic photo of her posted above is very appropriate for this topic!