In the recent past Hallyu wave has hit every household. K-pop has become a global sensation for its catchy and quirky music, dance, unique style and fashion and community/fan culture. People across the globe have started emulating these stars and have them their icon. From fashion to music to makeup and skin care, Korean culture is leading the market.
But even the moon is covered by darkness on the other side. K-pop industry too is no exception of it. All the glam and beauty that attracts everyone, often times than not becomes too toxic for the artistes, leading them to take their life.
With the recent passing of ASTRO’s Moonbin, the Korean entertainment industry is going through its mourning phase. The cause of his death is still being investigated by the police after he was found dead in his apartment by his manager. Unfortunately, this is not the first time that a K-pop artiste has been found dead in their residence. Some years back the news of Sulli committing suicide shocked the audience, and before that Jonghyun’s passing wreaked havoc in the industry.
It is the brightest of the smiles that hides the deepest of the pain. These idols were the reason for the survival of many of their fans, but it is heart-breaking to know that these fans themselves at times become the reason for their hardships. Toxic fandom is a crisis every celebrity is suffering from. We as fans fail to protect the smiles of the idols who are the reason for ours.
Rigorous dieting, ironclad contract, little to no private life and complete disregard to privacy are only the tip of the iceberg. With the fastest internet connectivity, online abuse and harassment too are done by the click of a finger. These celebrities who work tirelessly day and night are ultimately crushed by these insensitive comments and tweets by the very fans of theirs.
As fans it is our duty to protect our artists, but we, collectively have completely neglected it, some by being outrightly mean and others by being silent. Just the way we propagate kindness among ourselves, artists too deserve it. Kindness does not only stop at writing encouraging comments under their posts, but at times also reporting various accounts that spread malicious content. It also means to accept them for who they are, insecurities and all.