Revived: Thoughts on international fandom
Posted under: I’m continuing to clean out my computer and “revive” long forgotten, half-written updates for the blog. I think it’s so funny that I was feeling so “cerebral” in writing these that I put them away for more research and thought and then never ended up posting them because I felt they needed more work. Please read this with the thought that this is some major ranting and think-typing. I’ve combined two similar updates to keep things cleaner.
Write Date: April 25, 2010; Note: I have no idea what sparked this but I can still say it’s an interesting start of something to write about. I just don’t know what point I was going to make, and that’s probably why I abandoned it.
There is so much that could be said for being an international fan. There are usually pros and cons in anything, but do cons outweigh the pros here? Or the reverse? Is it better to be able to visit the events and concerts and so on or just imagine how great it would be if we were?
Right, that’s a ridiculous statement. However, as an international fan myself, I try to look on the bright side of things. I honestly can’t imagine myself even having the cash flow to VISIT Asia any time soon, much less camp out there for any extended period of time (insert sad face that cries a river). Therefore, I MUST find ways to enjoy my position!
None of this would quite matter if you were an international fan with lots of time and money to blow, but next to no one has that option. Heck, I have trouble even buying albums, much less merchandise; tack on international shipping to anything and you’re pretty much screwed.
I would say a good thing is that being removed from the country allows for being removed from many situations that arise.
So yes, it might seem like a bad thing to be outside of the country that holds the object of your affection. HOWEVER, I would say a good thing is that being removed from the country allows for being removed from many situations that arise. Whenever a fan group becomes crazy, we have the advantage of saying, “Ah, we wouldn’t do that if we were in that situation,” (even if we would). Also, we can send out and take back people from our own countries (as long as they’re Asian.)
For instance? Jay Park and Han Geng.
As an international fan, I enjoy the camaraderie of people from more than one country. If you are not in Korea/Japan/whatever country you’re thinking of, any other place in the world is technically “international.” That means people from the US, Brazil, Poland, Singapore, etc. can all connect and share in their highs and lows of fandom. I don’t care what people say; that’s a win to the win.
Write Date: May 15, 2010; Note: I’m pretty sure this came about after writing one or more article about G-Dragon’s love-life. Even now, these articles are the most popular my blog has ever produced.
I’m really quite flabbergasted at all the attention the “Is G-Dragon dating?” article is getting. I mean, I don’t blame people for being interested; I certainly am. However, I don’t get that many visitors normally, so see high numbers because of this post is so shocking.
The article has had me thinking about so many things though. Primarily, I’ve been focusing on the idea of being an international fan. For the sake of this conversation, I’ll focus on Korean entertainment (would I really talk about anything else? I’m so vague in my knowledge of other country’s pop-cultures lol… even my own, unfortunately). I’ll also speak of “we” as international fans, because I know that is the kind of person who typically visits this blog.
It’s really difficult, isn’t it? I’m sure it would even be tough if you knew the language and were outside of the country (because you wouldn’t be getting all of the real-time info, and have to rely solely on the internet), but it’s even harder when you know less Korean than a toddler.
International fans have to rely on the kindness of Korean fans constantly, whether those fans are Korean-speaking or born-and-raised Korean fans actually living in Korea.
When I posted the GD article, several people posted comments saying that Korean VIPs have known about this kind of thing for a year or more, and they’ve calmly been keeping it a safe secret.
I’m always devastated to hear when fans are being disrespectful. For cripes sake, if you “love” or even like a person, you will have their best interest at heart, right?
First off, I think this is brilliant. I’m always devastated to hear when fans are being disrespectful. For cripes sake, if you “love” or even like a person, you will have their best interest at heart, right? The last thing you want to do is hurt them or destroy their happiness in any way.
HOWEVER, this doesn’t stop me from feeling a bit boo-hoo bad for myself for not being savvy and Korean and in on the secret.
Which is silly, right? How hypocritical?
But what else can an international fan’s stance be? In our minds, we feel we are one with the giant sea of fandom, yet we are removed from the molten center that’s abuzz with the “real” information.
[Do you have any thoughts on international fandom? Are you an international fan yourself?]