just had to get this out
Hi, I’m back with unpopular opinions, as per usual. But I just have to get this out.
Recently there was some talk about certain fansites being sasaengs and disappointments from Wannaone, and I just want to say a few things before people jump on the bandwagon without realizing something...this is not targeted at any one, but if you read to the end, I will appreciate it.
Firstly, what is a sasaeng? This is a sasaeng: they followed the boys off schedule in their free time, intruding their private time. They loiter around the boys’ living quarters and company. They even attempt at breaking into their private space.
And these are NOT the behaviour of a good number of the sites that have posted the previews.
The news of the boys being at KBS got out because a muggle at KBS building recorded (may I add, in what look like a secret cam without permission either) the boys’ entry and shared the news. This spurred excited fans in the nearby areas to drop by for a glimpse of them, as well as news reporters who turned up at the main entrance and carpark of the building - yet another public space.
Yes, it’s not right to get too close and shove your camera into their faces, nor is it fine to obstruct the members path, and worst still attempt to grab them. All of these is wrong. I don’t approve of any of this either. But not every fansite master was like that.
Most of the fansite masters (if not all) that were on site did not stalk them from their dorms. Most did not trail after them after their departure. Most did not grab them or stopped them from entering their vans.
Most went there to get commute photos, some were not even there personally and received photos from their friends. Some thought it was no different from commute photos of produce 101 arrivals ( which, many fans were equally eager to pass around when those are non-official schedules either ) and thought it was okay to post the previews. A good part of them said they didn’t know whether it was official or unofficial, that they were sorry and took them down.
In short, they heard about an update with over 15k RTs on twitter, went to KBS building entrance and waited outside to snap a couple of photos. That’s it.
So why are you guys witch-hunting them with blacklists? Is it worth it? I don’t know, personally I don’t think so.
I think it’s fine if you still think photos like these are not okay. It’s your choice if you decide that you don’t want to RT the photos, or well, you won’t even accept their apology after they took it down. But at least know the full context, and both side of the stories. Some fansites I’ve seen listed in the list...they are no sasaengs. And they’ve supported the boys for a long time without any problems so far. But a misunderstanding of official vs unofficial schedules where they got a tip-off from a muggle, and they’re suddenly on the hit-list of other fans? Harassing them about it doesn’t make you a righteous or better fan.
Now in regards to double standards...if you call them out for sasaeng behaviour, I expect you to not RT or blog any of the news photos at the same event. You shouldn’t be posting any commute photos of the rehearsals. You would also not visit the boys at the airport when they head to your country for performances, because it’s an unofficial schedule. You would also not loiter around their hotel or after the performance for a glimpse of them.
Yes, this is the double-standards that’s concerning. Being an ifan that rarely get to see them doesn’t give you the right to do actual sasaeng behaviour - such as following them at the airport or trailing after them to the hotel in a taxi. I know not many people are like that, but I’ve seen enough cases of people picking and choosing their beliefs based on their own convenience.
This is a messy chunk of feelings but I guess. Moving along now.