Sasaengs: Extreme Obsession, Extreme Crimes
The K-Pop industry has been and still is prospering as it has entered the globalized era. Currently, the three most popular entertainment companies are SM, JYP, and YG. Each of them involve famous groups such as EXO, Girls’ Generation, 2PM, Miss A, Big Bang, and 2NE1. K-Pop has shaped a significant part of the Korean culture, and is considered a benefit to the society. However, there are dark fans that are perpetrators of crimes as they are too obsessed with their idols.
So what is a “sasaeng fan”? Sasaeng fans are dedicated supporters of a celebrity/celebrities who are so obsessed that they may harm the celebrity, either physically or mentally. A 21 year old female sasaeng fan of EXO was caught illegally obtaining money through internet embezzlement and stealing valuable items from stores. “I feel like they’re going to follow us to our honeymoon in the future,” says EXO (Herald Corporation News). EXO is known to be a boy group associated with SM Entertainment, who receive viral interest and popularity from the world as well. She claims that she committed these crimes in order to save money for her beloved EXO. Before she could do anything with the money, she was caught by the police. Another case was when a sasaeng fan poisoned a member of the JYJ group by placing poisonous flour into a milk bottle, give the milk to your idol, and leave the room unsuspiciously. Eventually, Park Yoochun, a member of JYJ, drank this milk and went through serious suffocation and rushed to the hospital. “I drank the entire poisonous drink in one gulp and immediately spat blood and fainted. It was painful enough to cause me panic disorder. It was hard to look and communicate with anyone that I actually thought of retiring,” said the idol (K-Banker News). In the world of K-Pop, there are many more fans other than sasaengs. There are appropriate fans out there that support and respect their idol in a positive manner. However, sasaengs that commit such dangerous crimes, are not ordinary, naive fans. They are obsessed and possessive with their celebrity. Sasaengs act like poison while “true” fans act like healthy herbs to the idols. When sasaengs make a move, things become a “crime” and thus, they must learn to control their emotions so that severe issues will be prevented. |
STORY :: KATIE LEE
EDITOR :: YEJUNE PARK DESIGN :: SEAN JS LEE |