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.