Korean Pop (K-pop) has become very globalized compared to how it started. Fans of many different K-pop groups can be found around the globe.
Because of this, we have seen many big differences between opinions in Korea versus everywhere else in the world. Global K-pop fans have begun to notice just how high Koreans hold their expectations for idols.
One recent incident occurred in October: Seunghan, a member from K-pop boy band Riize, had been on a ten-month hiatus starting November of last year.
He took a break from his idol activities, as pre-debut photos taken of him were revealed. The photos showed Seunghan smoking with friends, and kissing a girl.
This situation worsened when SM Entertainment, the company Riize is under, announced his return to the group in October. While most global fans were ecstatic, hopefully waiting for his return, fans in Korea disagreed with him coming back.
They even set up funeral wreaths in front of the SM Entertainment building to protest his return. Not even a day after the announcement, Seunghan himself posted that he would be leaving the group yet again.
Global fans were left angry and confused at what happened. There were even protests in Los Angeles for Seunghan to return yet again. Unfortunately, no updates have been made.
I think that Korean fans are going way overboard in their expectations of idols. If Seunghan did those things as an idol, I would understand. It is common knowledge to maintain etiquette for their fans in Korea. But these photos were taken way before he became an idol.
As many global fans remarked, Koreans are getting upset over Seunghan just trying to have a life. Everywhere around the world, teens do the same thing that Seunghan did when he was a teen. Yet he is the only one getting hate just because he is now an idol?
Even if Korean fans do get angry about this, them sending funeral wreaths was my last straw. Artists have feelings as well, and I believe that it is very important to remember among fans.
I will never understand why the fans would go through so much just to have a member removed, especially over a small incident; not even a crime.
The six other Riize members have continued their busy schedule, just without Seunghan. Many global fans have noticed the obvious worried and hurt faces among them as they perform, attend events, walk in the airport, or hold fansigns.
If a particular idol has committed actual, hurtful crimes, I would agree with the need to remove them. But Seunghan was just having a normal teenage life. Was there a need to go all out in support of his removal from the group?
This, unfortunately, was not the only incident where Korean fans absolutely slaughtered K-pop groups for unserious reasons. It needs to be stopped now, especially after this recent event. It has gotten so global that it has even made it onto NBC News.
Koreans have always kept high expectations for their favorite K-pop groups, but it really has gone too far this time.