
South Korean fandoms are renowned for their deep loyalty, with fans often viewing their idols not just as entertainers, but as role models.
Fan connections tend to deepen when their actions receive support from their stars.
Members of the K-pop girl group NewJeans, for example, pre-paid for food and beverages at several restaurants near the National Assembly in December last year, to support fans who joined the massive rally calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol amid the martial law crisis.
NewJeans fan and college student Lee Jeong-yoon, 23, shared during an interview with The Korea Herald that "Although NewJeans can't be labeled a progressive girl group, their support reassured me, making me feel they aren't entirely opposed to my political stance.”
However, the opposite is also true. The deeper the loyalty, the stronger the feeling of betrayal may be when idols disappoint their fans.
How would your loyalty as a fan change if a singer or actor you’ve followed for years expressed political views that were completely different from yours? Would you continue being a fan, or would you stop?
The Korea Herald conducted a survey among readers both online and offline to gather their opinions on this dilemma.
‘My love for the artist won't change’
Kim Yoo-na, a 15-year-old fan of NCT member Jungwoo, told The Korea Herald that she would still listen to the band’s music and buy Jungwoo merchandise even if he suddenly became involved with extreme right- or left-wing protests.
"(Jungwoo) is so good-looking and sings really well. I’m his fan because of his appearance and musical talent, so I don’t care much about his political views. I might even consider following Jungwoo's political views,” she said.
For some adult K-pop fans, how reasonable their favorite artists' political statements or actions are plays a key role in deciding whether to continue supporting them.
Jung, 34, who works at the Korea International Trade Association and is a fan of singer Paul Kim, said, "I have memories of buying his albums and attending his concerts, and I can't throw them away just because his political views differ from mine."
"It would be a problem if he pushed his political views in an extreme way or forced them on his fans, but as long as he doesn’t do that, I’ll keep respecting him and staying a fan."
The Korea Herald conducted a poll on Instagram on this issue, where 44 percent of 343 respondents said that their affection would not be influenced by the celebrity's political views.
Instagram user @weichen_low commented, "Celebrities are citizens too, they have the freedom to voice out their political opinions."
Politics taint artistic persona
A celebrity's public image plays a crucial role in their success, as it influences how they are perceived by the public, fans and the media.
Regardless of political differences, the mere fact that celebrities make political statements or engage in activities like rallies could lead some fans to turn their backs on them, according to Song Min-seo, a 20-year-old K-pop fan living in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province.
“If my favorite singer or actor is a passionate supporter of a specific political group, I would find it difficult to continue being a fan. When listening to their songs or watching their videos, I think I would be distracted by their politically active image,” she said.
"It wouldn’t match the image I originally had of them, so I’d feel confused."
Hwang, 51, a housewife living near Sadang Station in southern Seoul, sided with Song, explaining that she can’t separate political views from an artist’s persona.
"I’m not really aligned with either the progressive or conservative side. My views change depending on the issue. That's why I like celebrities who maintain a neutral political stance,” she said.
“Some people tend to separate a celebrity's personal life or beliefs from their talents, but honestly, I find that difficult."
In the Instagram poll, 56 percent of the respondents shared this view, saying they would likely no longer feel as positively toward the celebrity as before.
"Whoever it is, if someone has a very different opinion, I'm out," commented an user @itzmejanna.