NOTE: This is a long post but worth it. If you are a new fan, a guide is at the bottom if you want to read it. And if you don’t like my posts, don’t read it. It seems negative but don’t worry too much.
Let me start by telling you that this topic is quite touchy to me because I have no problem with people getting into it, it’s just the actual people to be honest. But being into it for 4 years (come February), I’ve noticed there are two types
of new fans since 2009: the dumb fans or know-it-all fans. But I’ll just tell you my view on New Fans in general.
I got into K-Pop 4 years agoand sure no-one HAS to listen to the artists of the late 90′s / early noughties but it’s good to know who started it off and not assume that a new generation groups started it off. I know people who think DBSK are legendary and the start of it all.
Here’s an example of a new fan in my current life: She went to my secondary school (middle/high school for others around the world) and also used to go to my sixth form (would also mix in with high school). The thing is, I met two other people are who are on the same level as me in K-Pop. Now, in our level we claim who we love and yes, we are possessive especially me over 2PM Junsu.
Now, this girl says she is on the same level as us. Let me tell you, there is a difference between me and her. She only got into it a year ago (at this time) from small information me and my friends were talking about it, she also claims she started listening to K-Pop when we were in secondary school together. ¬_¬ Are you serious? Because this is what I see when she said to me she is on the same level as me.
(You may have to click on the pic to view it bigger)
As far as I know, in secondary school she listened to Screamer and Rock music. She used to call K-Pop when I was in secondary school “Chinese music” as what everyone experiences as a fan of any Asian music. Now all of a sudden she likes it? It’s a bit strange to me.
One of my friends recently said this on Facebook:
One thing that annoys me about new fans is that they have no clue of the culture at all -__- except maybe a few
And it made me think of what someone said on kpopsecrets, the picture below explain it all. If you click on it, you will see the amount of bashing this person got too.
Because honestly, before anything you should learn the differences of clothing in a new country and it’s culture especially if it’s a Kimono or Hanbok in Japan or Korea.
I guess I’ve given new fans a negative vibe of myself. But the thing about new fans being disliked depends on the person or even online, from the fanclub. I gladly accept people to like the same member as me and like the same group but there are some older fans who cannot accept what I don’t mind so be aware. And what you should also look at is this:
For all newcomers let me direct you to this link: The guide to beginners KPOP fandom. Feel glad this person took the time to make this guide for newbies while the rest of us had to memorise things for years and ask.
I know! Some new fans are a annoying and don’t really understand anything about the culture and the history of the music and just the way everything works, but you have to have patience.
When I first got into Japanese music all I knew was Namie Amuro and Koda Kumi (in 2007). I had know idea about the culture and who the legends are. Then I actually got interested in artists like TRF, Globe and Shiina Ringo (I consider her a legend even though she started when Ayu did). I’m trying to get into some of the older artists but a lot of their stuff doesn’t stick with me.
lol, honestly, patience is truly the key here and trying to at least understand and know what you’re getting into as well. the only time it really bugs me is when the fans are like “they’re copying blah blah hairstyles or dances” which bothers me because i’ve seen that wayy before that person has done it. but that’s just me. and i seriously didn’t know there was a guide for new fans of kpop. that would of been nice when i got into kpop a while back. thanks for sharing.