24M About a year ago I discovered kpop and fell in love with it, but I find it impossible to talk about it with someone, people find it weird because I’m a guy.

Mine came when my husband and I made a trip to the zoo in the nearest major city to where we live, as part of an afternoon out for my thirtieth birthday just a few months ago. At the time, I was wearing a Do It shirt, and an SKZ necklace. The woman who happened to be working the ticket counter saw my necklace, and revealed herself to be a fellow STAY. We geeked out over our shared Felix bias briefly. Lol. 💖 What are some of y'all's experiences?

Had This clip come across my YouTube feed. It's beautiful moments like this that make me so proud and happy to be a STAY. 🥹

I keep noticing more fans go to K-pop events just to farm content for their social media, not to actually enjoy or respect the artists.

I saw some videos from send-off event, it was probably Ateez/Skz or/and Enhypen , I dont remember but tbh it could be any group and idols were signing when fans suddenly yelled things like “say THIS” or “repeat THAT,” clearly some random TikTok stupid meme. The idol looked genuinely confused and very uncomfortable, but of course, phones were out recording because every interaction apparently has to be “content.” He awkwardly repeated something (i guess he had no idea what he was saying), and those people screamed and laughed like they’d just trained a zoo animal. Like… seriously? You honestly believe buying ticket gives you right to behave like this?

Maybe I’m wrong and this is just how things go these days, but you could literally see that he was so uncomfortable. Honestly, I wouldn’t blame him if he was like, “Hard pass,” and walked away.

There’s a big difference between politely asking for greeting for sick friend or giving compliments, even some joking and treating idols like meme-performing NPCs for TikTok because you need to prove you’re the ultimate stan with the dopest reels.

I don’t know how this plays out at concerts in Asia, but I can’t help but wonder if some Western fans’ behavior ties into the way Asian idols are exoticized or infantilized. Would these fans act the same toward Western artists, or do they subconsciously see Asian idols as more “acceptable” to command and mock? For some reason, it seems “okay” when it’s a Korean idol.

The saddest part? These "fans" didn’t even seem to care about the group, music, sometimes they even ignore other members, they just wanted stuff for their content. They think they are the main character. Well, idols are not your content machines, NPCs, or zoo exhibits.

Some of y’all seriously need to relearn concert etiquette and basic respect.

One of the strangest things Kpop does for me (and since for me Kpop is purely a trauma response, that's saying something) is for the youngest idols I keep thinking "whoa, I was that young once?!" and then it brings up a lot of feelings from back then (think 15 years old) and how I should have been protected by a lot of adults, but absolutely wasn't.

Am I alone in this?