Post 3: The Madness

Remember when watching television you would usually hear about fans of male artists? Like the screams, the support, all the things they do for the artist. A fangirl behavior is understandable by most people because, you're a fan. You like that artist, you like his music, it's completely understandable. The article Is Fandom an Adolescent Thing? A Girl Thing? written by Daily Duranie points to the behavior of a fangirl. Most fans who are infatuated by their idols are female fans, no matter what age they are. There is this kind of power that rules over the fangirls, where boys don't have much of that as much as they do.

Think about Justin Bieber, for instance, they called it "Bieber Fever". His female fans were all very supportive, some of them made him as their "Ideal Guy", or even go to his concerts. Before, I have watched the movie "Never Say Never". I was actually touched by all of his fans because of their hard work and they are incredible. During an interview to his fans, of what they like about Justin, is because of his looks, his long hair (he still has his long bangs), his music, but as far as I remember, most of their answers were related to the outside appearance. According to the article, "girls fall for pop stars as an early, but safe entry into romantic and/or sexual interest". It's actually true. As far as I know, many female fans these days are really into male idols unlike male fans. Because somehow, boys are more interested music, sports, such things that are kind of different from females.

I am also a fan of some male idols but I don't get to the point that I'm infatuated about them. I stick to the limit that I listen to their music or watch their music videos. It somehow depends on the person that supports the idol. But most idols thanks for this fandom because it gives them strength, they are the reason why they don't disband and still release new songs. To them, they are important. But, what about how society looks at them. Well, if you're really a fan, you wouldn't mind that. In my case, I was kind of similar to these beliebers because I am a Sone, a fan of Girls' Generation. I do what they do. The difference is, they are a girl group. I collect images, I vote their videos, I help them reach the top charts, and also support them in any way I can. Like these girls, I will do anything for them. That's understandable, because it's what fandom consists of.

Fans of every idol has something inside them that they can't just easily let go of -- that's being their fan, their supporters. Like in concerts, they fill the whole venue with colorful light sticks and screams. It's something that makes the whole night alive. Last thing that the article mentioned is "how the pop star created a fantasy for the young girl". Actually, anyone would think of a fantasy imagination of being with their idol. Even myself -- I imagined being with them in SM. But it was said, that once the fantasy was ended, so was the interest. There are some cases that fans don't do those kinds of imagination anymore due to priorities, activities that they have to do, or even problems. But perhaps, the interest of being with that certain idol might be gone. For example, the male idol that you had a crush on already got himself a girlfriend, a fan's reaction would be either comment, or lose interest about him, mainly because he's someone else's guy now. Like I said, it mostly depends on the fan.

Post 2: A Wall in Between

In the world of Fandom, there are some cases that it somehow separates people from the real world. Especially by reading fanfictions, joining groups and talk about their favorites; yet, most of us will not notice the barrier that keeps fans separated from the outside world. According to Aja Romano, these walls are called “The Fourth Wall”. I have experienced the same thing since I’m also searching for a couple of fanfictions before. Fans then continue to create numerous amounts of fan related things; such as fanfictions, fanbases, fan arts, and many more. They usually tend to create these things for the audience—the other fans who will be attracted to their works.

Differentiating reality from imagining or going to the incredible world where anything is possible, The Fourth Wall that Aja Romano points out is something that can truly separate the two, as well as the fans. People tend to judge, because it is something that they are not aware of, something that they are not used to, or sometimes creeps them out. She then stated that:

“The fourth wall is what insulates us, protecting us from their often harsh judgment, and sometimes even from real-life repercussions… Except that it doesn’t. Not even a little bit.”

Most people judge these writers because of what they make, or what they made up. Usually, in fanfiction, writers use OTP (One True Pairing) which is pairing two characters or individuals together in a story that they make. Either they are guys, girls, or the opposite. It’s not common for people to create such massive story about these things but the most number of audiences who reads the fanfiction that they make are those who love anime. Because they put together characters, not according to the real story itself, but they make their own story—their own paired story. This results to the authors being left out, or out of place. That’s the reason why they separate themselves from the real world, to have their own; to avoid what other people might think rude about.

“Part of why the fourth wall is in place is that it helps us feel comfortable and safe to write about whatever we want, knowing that our boss, our relatives, our friends, our students, or our students’ parents, will never Google our names and find all the explicit Superman/Lex Luthor male pregnancy fic we’ve written.”

Like what the author have said in article, the fourth wall is for their security, to protect themselves from amounts of judgments and rude comments. Many people are like that—especially if they don’t even know what you just wrote about. They are not a fan of that certain topic or character, so unfortunately, they might judge you and because of the fourth wall, they have freedom. They can write whatever they want, no matter how long or how far it goes. But, any fanfiction created can be open to public. Some authors might still be receiving harsh judgments or comments about it and they will end up deleting their account, or shutting down the site itself. I’m sure most writers want a freedom wherein they won’t be afraid of what others might think of. They should learn how they to be not ashamed of their own work, because it might turn out the same for those who will see it.

Fanfictions are increasing mostly inside the internet and these are not only about the characters in an anime, some also pertains to celebrities like bands or certain groups and they will write about their favorite members. As for what I think of, speak up. It’s your work, someone appreciates it, and someone don’t. It depends on whoever reads it and finds it interesting. Each of us is different—we all have different likes and dislikes, we have different favoritisms, but fandom is something that unites people who has the same likes as you do.

Post 1: What it's like to be a Fan

Have you ever thought of being very supportive to your favorite artists, authors, or fictional characters? Well, I did. In my case, I’ve been supporting a lot of my favorite artists ever since. Like listening to their music, watching their videos on youtube, voting them to reach the top hit charts, and buying their merchandises. All these stuff points that I’m also in the world of fandom. It’s where different people unite for their specific idolized artist. Everyone is a fan of something, yet there are some cases that it would have a certain level being a fan that you are. Fan bases are spread all over the world and some of them would die just for their idol.

Imagine that you are in an arena filled with excited voices, the air is filled with electric, and then as the lights go down… the voices turn into frenzy, the music blares and euphoria enters the room. Then when it is finally over and the music has died, there is a feeling of wanting to relive it, a feeling of wanting to be part of that artist, a feeling of maybe wanting to be on the stage yourself with that artist, or perhaps wanting to be that artist! That’s how it feels to be a fan.

While getting to know more about Fandom, I mysteriously found this article Being Fandom  written by Eleanor Musgrove. It’s fine to be a fan of someone or something. She wrote:

“We’re fans. We’re not ashamed of telling people we like something, and if we really like something we don’t mind obsessing over it. And it’s such a good feeling when you realise someone else feels you’re worthy of being a fan of.”

“Society in general these days tries to set people with talent apart, making stars of them, and it’s frequently well-deserved. But we shouldn’t forget that a person with an amazing gift is also still a person, with feelings and passions and things they get excited about.”

To me, it’s actually true. I’m also a fan myself. And I admit that I’m a huge fan of a South Korean Girl Group – the Girls’ Generation, who’s now known worldwide. There had been cases that we spazz all we can about them and only someone like us can understand what we’re saying. But we’re not the only ones who are like that. Anyone around the world can act or say things like that about their favorite artists. Being a fan doesn’t automatically mean that you’re obsessed with them – that’s practically wrong. Sometimes there are benefits of being a fan of that person, like changing your life for the better. People may judge you because you’re very loyal to that artist or because you always pertain to that movie or fictional character that only exists on televisions, but they don’t know your story. They don’t know how much impact it caused to make a big change for you and it already became a big part of your life.

Social networking had been a part of the fandom industry these days because a lot of fanbase and sites are increasing. That’s one of the things the article points out. Most people usually go online and spend a long time there. But here’s the thing, if you’re a fan of something, don’t be ashamed of it or feel embarrassed or shy about it. That’s why you’re a fan – you’re proud of being a fan of the people you like. Just like what the article says, “We’re fans”.  There would be cases that other people will hide in a shadow behind the artists and go wherever they go or have all access to the media, or join paparazzi, but without those people, you won’t know about your idol online, you’re not going to see a lot of pictures about them and you won’t be getting enough update.

This is the world of fandom. People unite as one and always there for the ones they’re supporting. Some artists make some name of their fans and most them truly care and even give warm drinks to fans that are waiting just to watch their favorite artists perform or even take a picture with fans happily and send messages. Who wouldn’t? Without fans, without this fandom they make, there won’t be any artists performing on stage or having a new album on release.

Fansites, fanbases, fan pages, they’re all made by different fans – of someone or something. Fandom is just a term used to describe them all together. Some people might give them the creeps because of what they do, but for artists or authors they support, it’s an honor and they really appreciate it. Especially the gifts they are sending during anniversaries and birthdays, messages, visiting them in fan meetings and press conferences, they are all done by precious and loyal fans. The fandom they make is strong and they come out as one for the ones they support. Fandom, does have its own benefits because if their idols give strength to them, then, they also give strength to their idols.