
‘This is the artist I’m really into these days.’
My friend sent me a YouTube link of a song called BT.W by an idol named JAY B. With Jay Park featuring in it, it seemed like JAY B had some connections in the industry. The music was pretty good, and Jay Park’s feature was hard to spot. Meeting that friend again at a mutual acquaintance’s funeral after almost a decade, it seemed they’d taken up fandom as an escape from the monotony of life. Maybe not. Actually, being a fan isn’t really about having leisure time. I’ve seen friends who are super stressed with work still find time to fangirl over an actor. Turns out, quite a few people around me are quietly obsessing over something or someone. ๐
Personally, I’m not really cut out for the whole fandom thing. My focus isn’t great and I’m not persistent. Sure, I like things, but focusing intently on them isn’t my strong suit. Plus, I tend to give up on things that are too popular. I’ve never liked someone who already has a significant other, and I’m a bit jealous of singers with huge fanbases (why?). Because of this, I dabble in various interests but don’t go deep. ๐จ
‘Yeah, OO recently released a new song, and while heading to register it at the music association, got into a fender bender. So now, they’re taking aspirin after meals, morning and night.’
I can’t keep up with that level of detail (I don’t even know what symptoms aspirin is for). Fandom probably starts with admiring someone’s talents, but I jump straight to competition or critique, even if I’m outmatched. After hearing an amazing song, I’m like, ‘Hmm, I could sing that,’ and start looking for backing tracks on YouTube. If I see a stunning illustration, I open my drawing app before even admiring it. Cute figurine? I’m ordering sculpting supplies online. Maybe that’s why I can’t truly be a fan. ๐ค
I once almost reached fandom levels, and it was for Mamamoo. I caught their song ‘Egotistic’ on a music show and was hooked. The song rocked, they all sang well, but Solar’s unique gaze in the ‘You only think about yourself, then do it yourself’ part made even the wackiest dance moves look cool. I binge-listened to their tracks, but after seeing Solar’s human side on her YouTube channel, my interest faded. Her changing hair color after promotions didn’t help. Later, a friend’s comment about someone being ‘pretty in today’s standards’ made me slightly fond of Heize, and I was captivated by bassist Yang Jang-semin’s fingering in Superband 2 before a hairstyle change lost my interest. Recently, Heize’s articulate speech on Dingo’s live channel rekindled my interest, but is this really fandom? Either way, I’m always a fan of something or someone. ๐ค๐
Anyway,
Still unsure if my friend is into JAY B for the music or the visuals.
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