Since lately I’ve been recently swooning over Thai and Korean dramas and actors, it made me wonder if I would like to be called a fan. Nope, I won’t. Being a fan gives a feeling of a crowd where my individual identity is identical to the next fan, we both are fans, lol. Also makes me wonder what the person who has gained so much fandom thinks of their fans. So instead of being judgemental and taking a rather practical approach, one thing is obvious that these actors do see us as a crowd but are also grateful to this crowd.
Fans being the typical emotional beings delve into the emotional food served hot on their TV/ Phones by the artists; succinctly speaking, the actors or the entertainment industry inclusive of all web series, pop bands, etc., cash on the emotions of the people. It also gives food for thought on the topic of how detached and lonely humankind has become despite human population outburst. It’s the very lack of emotionally strong relationships among people that is targeted by the entertainment industry. People fall for these happily ever after and emotionally utopian dramas seeking solace by watching them. Obviously, the artists of these dramas present a blissful life making people crave for the same life. A very apt example would be my own case. After watching many Thai and Korean series, and pop bands I was in an alternative world for few days, this high was quite similar to the other high that's after effect of alcohol. From here starts the journey of following them on social media, more and more behind the scene videos and the artist's personal stuff.
In fact these events, fan meets, going live, interviews are the real cashing machines. They don’t let you get over and in fact, fan the fire of fandom. After analyzing all this, I actually feel used though it made me feel good for a while earlier. Still, I would agree that these dramas did affect me to the extent that I couldn’t stop looking for more backstage contents and interviews to know if the main leads are actually so close. It’s all about emotions we seek since the relationships portrayed are so intense that everyone would want it to be the reality of their life.
The problematic part is we never pay attention to our surroundings and people around us, there are chances to find equally good if not better stories and people around us. But we’re so stuck in our phones that we fail to appreciate reality. Had fans been a bit thoughtful so as to love someone who can reciprocate, it would have been a real bliss. While actors are busy earning millions, endorsing international brands, dressing up for photo shoots, what do fans get after devoting nights watching their videos commenting that you love them, buying stuff for those actors? Nothing much I'll say. One could still defend that they feel good supporting their favorite artists and buying them stuff, or some might say they were brought out of depression and anxiety, but for how long? Once the hangover ends and we face the reality of our life it worsens the anxiety. Sadly enough, we only derive pleasure from buying stuff/ loving/ supporting the person who already has it all.
We need to change ourselves and get more connected to people around us, understanding and helping them and in fact, seeking their help. Interacting with real people is much more exciting and emotionally stimulating than watching these dramas for emotional satisfaction and falling for stars, who feel like a virtual reality setup. We can try to know more people, hang out with good people, buy them stuff and I’m sure there will be times when they will be buying you things as well. There are high possibilities that your life will become as good as you wanted it to be. You might even reach a point where you feel that your life is so damn cooler than those series. Don’t crave for a perfect life that others have idealized, instead divert the direction of your life and the best way is to reduce the time we spend watching these dramas instead utilize it for making new friends, interacting, and connecting. At least live whatever life you have, to the fullest. You’re no more a fan, but you are yourself and don’t just give meaning to the life of those actors you love, give meaning to your own life first. Humans are the only species endowed with the power of thinking and analyzing, so don’t be a flock of sheep because you’re a human.
So the key is not to stop being a fan but to be aware and conscious and not losing ourselves.
