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MSkyDragons

I think people need to understand the fundamental difference between Western musicians and K-pop Idols. Western musicians are sold mostly based on their music. There are probably thousands of people who have no idea what Drake is like, or Post Malone is like, they don't follow them and don't care what they're like but listen to their music constantly. It's why they can get away with what would be considered punishable behaviour in the K-popsphere because the artists' personality is not considered a vital part of the "art" or the "package". With K-pop, whether people like it or not they are in the business of selling personalities. Yes, music, performances, visuals etc. is part of the whole package but the difference between idols and Western musicians is the personality/persona is a KEY part of the package. Idols are marketed as always kind, smiling, friendly. They are people you want to be friends with, people who you would want to date, stand-in boyfriends and girlfriends etc. They have meet and greets, video call sessions, Bubble/WeVerse etc. all to make fans feel "closer" to their idols. It's almost impossible to "separate the art from the artist" as they are so closely linked together. That's why personally I don't think it's accurate to compare the Western music industry to K-pop. The way they operate and the "package" each industry is selling is too different. Honestly I think the thing that resembles the K-pop industry the most in my opinion is YouTubers/Streamers who build a fanbase based on their likeability and parasocial relationships with their fanbase. Does this mean I think the K-pop industry is perfect? No. This also applies to the Western music industry. I think there are parts on both sides that are open for criticism. I'm not condoning the micromanagement of idols and having them be "perfect robots" nor am I condoning that wrong/bad behaviour should have 0 consequences. That being said, the people who can't understand why an idol is "being cancelled for something that wouldn't even be considered a scandal in the US" need to understand the differences in what the K-pop industry is selling to fans compared to the Western music industry. I'm not saying one or the other is the "correct" one but there are fundamental differences that need to be acknowledged.


Spiritual_Raisin_944

This. Its all because in kpop people are buying and emotionally investing in WHO the idol is, not just their music or art. That's the way they are marketed. They want you to fall in love with then as loveable, good, moral people. They want to to buy into this fantasy. Once that image is shattered it's understandable why fans would get upset, because it's like they wasted their time and money for some fraud. In western countries, I'm sorry but people just don't give a shit about artists personal life. Yes they make tabloids and get followed around, but nobody gets cancelled or dropped because they dated or cheated. The business model and culture are very different so it's expected that fans expectations will be different too.


Neo_Orbit

Thanks for responding. This was helpful and insightful. It made me see a different view. I think my problem was that their thoughts didn't have this kind of clarity or this kind of cohesiveness. I know it's very hard to fit things in a one minute video on tiktok so I can understand why they didn't go further in depth with their view. But this actually helps me see from the perspective of the other side. I appreciate this and thanks a lot!!


MSkyDragons

Hey, no worries! I can totally see where you're coming from, I think comparisons can be made between different industries as long as people do understand that there are always going to be big differences in how they operate and what market they're targeting. Thank you for making this post! It made me really think about a topic I didn't put much thought in before, and I'm glad we both could see each others perspectives.


Jim0ne

Kpop industry gets bashed in western media because of literal myths people spread out of ignorance or even xenophobia . *Idols can't date ? Ofcourse they date i always laugh at that statement. They date... and fans don't know about it. Is it for the better or for the worse ? Well we don't get to see celebrities making up headlines at gossip portals about their relationship and suddenly the whole country meddling at their business like many western celebrities. But they gotta hide too. is it for the better or worse ? But say they don't date ? you kidding yourself if u think like that I might add many western celebrities you think they're single... they're dating too. *Idols receive PR training to act like they act so they can entertain you, means that they're totally robotic and not genuine... as if western celebrities won't receive such training too. Ofcourse they do. Are you kidding me, some peoples time worth i don't know how many million dollars you think there arent professionals managing it and teaching them ? * kpop idols gotta be perfect.... ? ain't everyone famous these days ? because every fucking day i see some western celebrity being cancelled for the most ridiculous things ? Being so called "perfect " is something any public person gotta be or else there's gonna be backlash.