Post 4: A Priceless Support

1D collection by Bianca Taguba

A lot of fans must be wondering, "How am I going to support my favorite artists?" Whether they will buy their idol's albums and other merchandises, it all depends if they have enough budget for it. Some even tend to save money from their daily budget so they can buy these merchandises and start to collect it. This comes to The Price of Fandom, this is an article written by SNSDave, a member of the internation fansite, Soshified. He also stated that:

"They all made their decisions based on what they felt would be best for them as a fan, and that's something we can't really dictate that others do as well. It's a decision that can only be made by ourselves."

As a fan, we all want to do whatever it takes just to support our favorite artists. Others would even go to the exclusive events, mall shows, fansigning events, or if ever, some would even travel to another country where the artist will have a concert. Fans have their own decisions; it's also their happiness that pertains here. They would by expensive albums and collect them from their debut until present, or buy their favorite stuff toys and such. But, what about the people that can't even afford to buy these things? The less fortunate? The kids who rely on their parent's allowance just to ask them buy the stuff they want? Well, just because you can't buy these material things doesn't mean you don't support the artists. Because of course, fans really do support them. And it's in their heart how much they want to have these things because it would be a big deal and memorable for them.

During the hit charts, International Awards, Music Awards, because Social Networking have become a big source of information and become popular to citizens nowadays, most fans tend to vote every single day for their favorite artists to stay on top. It includes iTunes, most viewed music videos on Youtube, or for yearly awards, they vote so they can win the "Best Album/Artist/Song of the Year" Award. All of those things are the little things a fan can do for the ones they truly look up to. To other people, it might be weird or they might think that they are going too far, but for the idols themselves, they truly appreciate it and they are thankful. Without them, they won't reach the fame as their main goal from the start.

Photo by: KC@soshified.com

As days come and go, fandom will grow and merchandises and albums will continue to release. It may seem weird for other people if they see someone's room filled with large posters of the artists, but to the fans, it's an honor. They are doing the best they can to support them. And another thing is, if they don't buy these merchandise, do you think the artists might stop releasing them? Definitely, yes. Because it will result that no one likes it. That's why for them, it's a big pleasure. Some artists may be having a hard time expressing their feelings towards fans on how much they appreciate their support, but deep down inside, they are really thankful. The only way to reward the kind of support and kindness of the fans is to release better songs, something that will not disappoint the fans, and they will be a better artist that the fans will be proud of.

Lightning (Final Fantasy XIII-2) Cosplay by Jovi

The same goes for Cosplaying. It doesn't only symbolize fictional characters in Anime, but also artists in real life too. Many cosplayers go to exclusive events that are held many part of the year and some of them go to Cosplay battles. Unlike the others who buy material things, they represent. This is no ordinary dress up that kids used to do; cosplaying is a different thing. When it comes to real people, there goes Cover dancers, like Korean Artists for example. I myself is also a cover dancer and I dance cover three artist group from SM Entertainment. These are added up to the things that fans do to support the people or characters they love; not just by buying certain things. It may cost them money because of the costume and all, but that's how they will represent it. And like what is mentioned earlier, it's a decision that is made by themselves.

A note, there will be no material thing that can equal or measure a Fan's heart. Once they are a fan of that artist, even if time goes by, they will be still a fan. And they will treasure each moment that they are a fan of that artist because they will remember how much impact it caused ever since they've known them. It doesn't matter if the artist is a girl or boy, same as it doesn't matter if you're a fangirl or fanboy, what matters is how much you care because to most fans, these artists have become part of their lives. Don't let other people judge you by the material things you buy and the collection you're trying to build, it's what you like to do. And fans won't let these little things slip out, because  they will always be there for the person no matter what.