MANILA, Philippines - If the term Hallyu is the all-encompassing term for the global phenomenon known as “The Korean Wave,” South Korea sits at its epicenter — the progenitor and keeper of all things Lee Min Ho. Hallyu is the steadily increasing worldwide surge of South Korean media, be it television, cinema, cuisine or fashion, among a host of other cultural exports. Of the most mainstream potential and Western crossover appeal (read: Youtube), the wonderful world of idol-driven popular music lies at the heart of the movement. K-pop and its limitless universe, the gift that keeps on giving.
The K-pop fandom is unique in its own universe, its own world, own rules. From the perspective of an international fan, I realize that my point of view is from the outside looking in — and that’s totally okay. Because some of the beleaguering stuff that goes on in K-town is seriously inane and dumbfounding, I wouldn’t know where to begin explaining half the stuff I’ve read online. We opine in the name of spectator sport and we’re not about to rationalize Korean culture or society when it comes to their precious idols. We’re just here to judge some of the dumb stuff fandom says. With the dangerous repercussions we’ve seen, it can become very vindictive all too easily.
Tabloid fluff and unpredictable fans
The stuff of scandal in K-pop becomes mere tabloid fluff if transposed elsewhere. Think more Suri’s Burn Book than TMZ. Korean netizens (shorthand for Internet citizens) express some serious butt-hurt online at the prospect of anything that can “harm” their idols. From being spotted at a club with a drink in hand, to wearing an inappropriate outfit, to an ill-timed Instagram photo. Reading up conjectured fan theories online, my arms would tire from all the unnecessary reaching. One can never accurately predict a fan reaction to the slightest bit of media play. Exposure to this sort of online blather would give anybody a serious case of pause. Delving into even deeper issues, a suspension of disbelief is a must. When the insidious nature of public shaming becomes some sort of social currency — influencing whether an idol stays or goes in the industry — the hijinks become all too real.
For instance, in the wonderful world of K-pop, marriage and dating can spell certain doom for an idol — a trait that is certainly unique to South Korean celebrity culture. The Wonder Girls broke up when their lead vocalist Sunye married her boyfriend; despite a steady stream of hits, including the global ditty Nobody, it was the end for them as far as their CEO was concerned — curiously, even their most hardcore fans let them go. Fandom takes a crazy turn when a certain ideal of youth and virginity is prized for their idols. They don’t want you anymore when you’re no longer a living Barbie Doll. Not exclusive to the girls, but for the boys as well. Male idols are expected to be Sexy, Free, and Single as the classic Super Junior hits, goes, lest the legion of teenage female fans proclaim them traitors to the cause of forever being their oppa.
From bullying (see: T-ara), to slave contracts (see: TVXQ) and very recent internal implosions (see: Kris departing from EXO), fan-driven scandal can really deal a destructive blow to idol longevity — no matter how inane the source material is. So long as the narrative fits and confirmation bias exists, no idol or group is safe in K-town regardless of popularity or clout. The biggest scandal to hit 2014 thus far? Enter 2NE1’s Park Bom.
Caught red-handed
The YG Entertainment singer (home to the bigger idol groups in South Korea, headlined by Psy, Big Bang, and of course, 2NE1) was recently hit by controversy after a report published by a local newspaper claimed that she had been caught smuggling amphetamines into South Korea from the US. Yikes, in the squeaky clean world of K-pop, drug scandals belong to an entirely different level of scandal. Words of advice? You’re in danger, girl.
We’re talking about Park Bom here, 1/4th of the Billboard Top 100 charting fierce South Korean idol girl group 2NE1. She was just in the Philippines two months ago playing to a sold-out crowd. She knew the Tagalog words to In-or-Out, you guys. She is beloved yet she is in danger of public crucifixion. What would Sandara Park say? Some clemency naman!
I won’t bore you with the minutiae but as it shakes down, these are the facts: the original investigation for smuggling is four years old. Park Bom had them sent via Fedex under a US doctor’s prescription. She was, and currently is, undergoing medication for childhood trauma. Eventually, the facts were proven in her favor and she was released without any charges. Case closed right? If this were the real world, having cleared herself of the law, she would just be a surgically-enhanced celebrity with the unfortunate circumstances of having to bear her medical history in public. But one can only dream because this is K-pop, and fandom will not rest until they draw blood. Top idols have been dethroned for far, far less.
In South Korea, celebrities have been jailed for similar altercations — label mate Psy spent 21 days in jail in 2001 for possession of marijuana. From these drawn-out allegations, Park Bom has received more than a slap on the wrist, but she was already escaped government prosecution. But the minute the headline broke out, her public image was irrevocably marred and her trial is just beginning. The real challenge now is saving her career from the Korean public.
But if anyone can cover up a K-pop scandal, as one of the biggest entertainment agencies, it would be YG Entertainment. CEO Yang Hyun-suk has done it before (see: G-Dragon caught holding a spliff scandal) and he has already taken measures to defend Park Bom: he penned an open letter, shedding light on the timeline of events and her medical history in the US. In a world where entertainment companies would rather abandon their charges than go against the tide of public opinion to preserve them, this is a rarity. “I had to watch Bom break into tears all night, and I feel terrible that I am in the position to bring up her painful past that she did not want to reveal,” Yang wrote. “I extend my deepest apology for causing any worries.”
From Girls’ Generation and their unsanctioned dating, the internal schism of rookie boy band Exo, and now this smuggling brouhaha, 2014 is turning out to be the banner year for K-pop scandal. Taking note of the average five-year lifespan for most idol groups, the timeline makes sense and some are already calling this the end of the K-pop golden age. Top-tier groups 4Minute, T-ara, f(x), Mblaq, After School, and 2NE1, chief among them, all debuted in 2009. With no other visible signs of slowing down, a scandal is the closest thing to a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Is this the demise of 2NE1 as we know it? We hope not. As an international fan with no claim or knowledge of how South Korean society works or how stringent their drug laws are, I can only pray “Please, let 2NE1 survive!” I am pushing for meritocracy in K-pop. My advice to these cursed netizens? Absolve Park Bom of her drug Fedex-ing ways. Don’t take things too seriously and let the music play. We’ve all got 99 problems and a scandal should not be one of them.
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