In this post I want to share my love/hate relationship with the netizens of Korea (speaking figuratively of course, since technically netizens could live anywhere in the world.) You can read about my frustration with US netizens [here].
In Korea...
...netizens generally have standards. Shocking, right?
It might have to do with cultural differences or maybe just industry differences but their is no denying that the netizens of Korea hold their idols & celebrities to some insane standards. Some of these standards are good in my opinion while others are bizarre, borderline crazy.
Looking at Korea right off the bat there isn't "standard" controversies like there is in America. If someone has a sex tape, drug problem, or disrespects it generally signals the end of their career.
Point blank.
The droves of people who signed up at your fan meet or sent you fan letters are gone. Once you shame yourself it can be extremely hard to win over your fans again and even others in the industry.
First off. This is kind of a good thing. It can help remind idols/celebrities not to take what they have for granted and keeps them focused. Those who do create scandal, while I understand that everyone is human and makes mistakes, I will admit that its nice to hear them apologize and actually face some consequences instead of just getting a slap on the wrist [if that] like they do here in America.
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| Out of all these celebrities - only G-Dragon faced serious backlash for smoking marijuana (via DailyBeast, NYTimes, & AllKPop) |
On the other hand, netizens can use their so called power - for evil. Case and point Block B & the Thailand debacle.
I don't know why but the way they are being treated by netizens bothers me soooo much and I'm not even a Block B fan. I mean up until this point I had no clue who they were...yet despite me being unfamiliar with them what they're going through really resonated with me.
Yes, they screwed up. Yes, they shouldn't have made such careless comments. Yes, they were wrong.
But can anyone seriously watch that apology video and not feel the massive amount of guilt and sadness these boys are bearing? The 90 degree bow? The heart felt words of apology? I mean Zico (their leader) even shaved his head.
Yet the shade they are suffering from netizens is so distorted from what it out to be. These guys have shown such humility and grace in a situation that should have never been amplified to this level. I think its so sad that despite Block B's actions to rectify the situation they have only been received with anger & hatred. I really can't even get into the suicide petitions because its just so awful it doesn't merit any extra attention. But I really don't understand what more can these guys do to actually receive netizens forgiveness? At this point I wish they could just brush this off but its beyond that now.
So if I had one thing I could say to these guys it would be a Bible verse brought to my attention by Jeremy Lin, (haha - hey! who doesn't read up about that guy?!)
"Not only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." - Roman 5:3-5
