AsToldByShan

Welcome Back to the Blog! And today we will be discussing giving up Kpop completely or is there a way to enjoy the community without the stress!?

Let’s get into it

I’ve been a kpop fan since 2020, the covid days! Where the world had collectively stopped and everyone was on pause. It was the easiest way to get sucked into something so different, larger than life, and Fun. I found a community I could fangirl with and have so much fun with.

I made friends, traveled across the country and made new memories, that I would have NEVER done if it wasn’t for kpop. I owe a lot of my fashion choices and over all confidence to kpop.

Over the last year and a half though , I’ve seen lots of racism and bullying, and over all just things that didn’t sit well with me. In the beginning it was so easy to ignore and just BE a fangirl. But the older you get and especially as a BLACK kpop stan, you have to be mindful. And extremely aware, this is MY culture they’re imitating and making money off of. And they’re starting to get a little too comfortable in a lane they never created.

Now while I’m fine with imitation, the obvious racism and fetishizing of our culture has to stop! You can love our music and appreciate it, without going over board! BTS is one of the ONLY groups I know that does a great job at imitation but also staying true to their Korean roots, also NOT offending anyone.( I know about their younger days, and they’ve educated themselves and have NOT messed up since!)

Back in April, I made the decision to take a step back from Kpop. It was just becoming too much and very overwhelming, and was becoming less fun. Kpop was supposed to be my escape from the real world and now it was starting to blend into the real world chaos! I was very torn and very much in the verge of just giving Kpop up as a whole!

I was so serious , I packed up and gave up all my BlackPink merch. And i unfollowed off all KISS OF LIFE. I felt better and lighter, but as time went by, I started to miss the community so much.

Now we’re almost in June,( aka BTS MONTH) and I feel myself slowing inching my way back. With this constant question on my mind…. Can I enjoy kpop as a black stan? And how do i do it?!

I feel though as there’s tons of nerd and niche communities with racism and it makes it tough for black fans. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be there, just means the narrative needs to change ! If we all step back from things we love that bring us joy and happiness, because of others hate and idiocy, we would literally have NOTHING. We wouldn’t travel anywhere or do anything! We are hated everywhere!! But that shouldn’t and won’t stop us from living our lives ! And enjoying what we love!

We are here to stay and we aren’t going anywhere!

But to the KPOP COMMUNITY, learn to keep it CUTE AND RESPECTFUL. Before we take it all Back!!