AFAIK, K-Pop is a sport for all ages.
I was raised on competitive sports; I had a favorite player, a favorite position I liked to play, teams I followed until they inevitably didn’t make it to the world series or Stanley cup or whatever. My favorite player(s) usually depended on their performance, their record, PERSONALITY, even just the number they wore. If they were good at their job, it didn’t matter to me if they were super young or super old chronologically. I literally once chose a favorite baseball player based solely on the way they wore their socks. (The right way; socks to just below the knee.) They were just my favorite.
K-pop (and J-pop, and lots of other pops) is like this; it’s like the arts’ version of sports. You have a favorite team, a favorite player, and you hope they win a ton of awards. They’re under constant scrutiny and pressure to perform. Dancing is fucking hard, and it’s a lifestyle. So is singing. You dedicate your life 24 hours a day, 8 days a week to achieve the best possible outcome. Add in acting. Add in ridiculous schedules. Add in self image and other self esteem issues. Calculate in health and wellness. The music industry in other places isn’t nearly as much like this; I haven’t seen its like anywhere outside of certain parts of Asia. It’s competitive as hell. So many of them start as *children* and need all the support they can get as they’re away from their families.
So it doesn’t matter to me who I choose as an idol/bias to follow or support, whether they are older or practically fetal; if they are my favorite they’re a favorite and I’ll support them. I think it’s only creepy if you MAKE it creepy by adding a sexual element to it disproportionately to your age group. Don’t write creepy porny shit about people under the age of 18. (if you REALLY need to write it at all) ESPECIALLY if you’re hella older. That’s creepy and also not legal. Music is literally for all ages to enjoy and always has been, so don’t let people make you feel bad about your age ever. (Unless, as above, you’re breaking the law.) I say this because it is SO important to me that:
1.) Young people don’t get shit for having older biases. You can be ten for all I care and love listening to Shinhwa. So many of these older groups are altruistic, have tons of experience, have worked on so many projects, there’s a good reason they are called idols. You can and should look up to them if you choose to set them as role models.
2.) Older people don’t get shit for having younger biases. If you’re old enough to be someone’s mother or father, don’t sexualize your favorite. Duh. Don’t sexualize anyone under 18 anyway. Respect your favorite artists. Remember; things like rice wreaths exist as a way for older fans with cash to spend to show their support. Don’t feel like because you’re older than 25 or 30 or 50 you have to stop liking something because it’s “for teens”. What a pile of shit. I know people still think that but they think that about EVERYTHING because they’re judgmental.
And seriously, people, don’t assume shit about someone based on who their favorites are. That’s an awful thing to do. In fact, just stop shitting on fellow fans altogether.
Anyway, k-pop and sports have a ton more in common in addition to the above things about choosing favorites and the never ending roll of seasons/comebacks. It also drains our wallets wholly, dictates our choice of clothing, and decides how many posters are actually acceptable on one wall. You know. That kind of thing.
You do you, have fun, don’t be a creeper, and may your group’s comebacks always be awesome. :)
