If one thing can be confirmed about obsessive fans, it is that they truly love their celebrities. However, just because some of the fans are more "enthusiastic" than usual, does it condone being abused (whether verbally or physically)? Though it can be said that these fans are not expressing/showing their love in a conventional manner, they are still trying to support the celebrities. Assaulting another human being is not warranted by anything. There is no mitigating factor for violence (especially as it is against the law). Though I understand Park Yoochun was assaulted by his fan, it does not condone his own reaction, as well as his label-mates, to an obsessive fan. It is evident that the girl in the linked video did try to harm - for whatever reason - Yoochun first, which is why he retaliated (making it more of an act of self-defence), but the violence that is apparent from both the celebrity and the fan is still shocking.
And it is not always the idols, by the way, who "deal" with their fans, but the ones working around them. According to a fan account written by a netizen, the manager of the popular boy band 'SHINee' assaulted her when she tried to approach the group at an amusement park. Some of the members of SHINee treated her kindly upon seeing how their manager reacted, but his actions were not unnoticed by the fans as a whole. SHINee was also unable to give the fans proper "fanservice" due to their schedule and the possibility of demand. In this sense, you can understand that they simply wanted to have fun at the amusement park but were, once again, burdened by their own fame. Though they are the ones who have ultimately decided their fate, it is questionable as to whether or not they have brought this upon themselves.
And it is not always the idols, by the way, who "deal" with their fans, but the ones working around them. According to a fan account written by a netizen, the manager of the popular boy band 'SHINee' assaulted her when she tried to approach the group at an amusement park. Some of the members of SHINee treated her kindly upon seeing how their manager reacted, but his actions were not unnoticed by the fans as a whole. SHINee was also unable to give the fans proper "fanservice" due to their schedule and the possibility of demand. In this sense, you can understand that they simply wanted to have fun at the amusement park but were, once again, burdened by their own fame. Though they are the ones who have ultimately decided their fate, it is questionable as to whether or not they have brought this upon themselves.
However, how far do these idols have to be pushed to resort to violence? Is it wrong to get angry when someone constantly and endlessly harasses you? Though I think it all could have been dealt with in a cleaner manner, I do not think celebrities are wrong to get upset.
I too agree that celebrities have the right to be angry at obsessive fans sometimes, seems like their idol work really heavily influences their daily lives and it is hard to bubble up too much stress (T_T)
ReplyDeleteMaybe the manager uses the fans as a scapegoat for his stress?... (just guessing)but I think it was taken a bit too far..
ehehee they should have signs where fans are allowed to be, kind of like parking signs... fine and all....
Awesome blog!!
Thanks so much, Anna!
DeleteYeah, I feel like the manager was simply fed-up with it all, but it still does not mitigate his actions... I feel bad for celebrities that really have to suffer even though they're famous, so I understand that they can get angry/upset - I just fail to understand when they get violent.
Haha, I bet fans would ignore the signs. xD Some of them are really rabid...