Within the Okay-pop sphere, discussions on what wholesome fandom tradition is comes and goes. The newest spherical of heated arguments not too long ago surfaced on Twitter, many Okay-pop followers’ social media platform of alternative, on how extreme music streaming might be. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

 
Within the Okay-pop sphere, discussions on what constitutes wholesome fandom tradition could possibly be referred to as a naturally occurring phenomenon.
 
The newest spherical of heated arguments on the topic not too long ago surfaced on Twitter, many Okay-pop followers’ social media platform of alternative, this time below the hashtag #SayNoToStreaming, shedding mild on how labor-intensive Okay-pop fan tradition might be.
 
Utilizing the hashtag, a string of worldwide Okay-pop followers referred to as for moderation in streaming. The idea of “extreme music listening” might sound absurd to any unfamiliar with Okay-pop, however is a key exercise amongst followers of the style. Many Okay-pop followers stream their favourite artist’s music or a particular track continuous — on mute if mandatory — with the intention to enhance their rankings on the charts.
 
Proponents of #SayNoToStreaming described 24-hour streaming as, primarily, unpaid labor, though it could be well-intended and finished absolutely voluntarily to assist one’s favourite artist. They advise individuals to take part in fan actions like streaming as a interest as a substitute of feeling pressured to take action, like many loyal followers do, to the purpose of it interfering with their very own lives.
 
Although it could sound like an apparent assertion, and although a lot of it did obtain assist, the piece of recommendation was additionally met with sturdy backlash.
 
 
Streaming maketh the fan?
 
Discussions about streaming floor ceaselessly amongst home and international Okay-pop followers alike, often concerning whether or not it’s acceptable to strain others in the identical fandom to stream. Skeptics of #SayNoToStreaming keep {that a} true fan would hearken to their favourite band’s music all day as a result of they genuinely take pleasure in it, and subsequently wouldn’t check with streaming as labor.
 
“When you don’t like listening to your favourite band’s music, it’s since you assume their songs are boring,” this faculty of thought claims.
 

Tv music exhibits place essentially the most emphasis on the quantity of on-line streaming, above different standards together with bodily CD gross sales and viewer votes, when asserting the No. 1 track of the week. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

 
Some, whereas in the identical breath admitting that streaming sure songs continuous might be tiring, exhorted that mass streaming is totally mandatory for artists’ success.
 
“Don’t name your self a fan when you gained’t even make an effort to assist the artist,” argue proponents of 24-hour streaming. “Would you fairly see them be unsuccessful?”
 
Excessive chart rankings, which implies extra publicity to most people by way of streaming platforms, contribute to the group turning into higher recognized. Equally, the variety of streams are one of many prime standards tallied by tv music exhibits. Successful No. 1 on a music present is taken into account a profession milestone that additional promotes the group.
 
So inside a Okay-pop artist’s fandom, followers encourage one another to continually “stream such as you breathe,” particularly when new music drops. Quite a few social media pages are devoted to encouraging followers, notifying them which songs to stream and sharing tips about the way to stream effectively so that each pay attention counts.
 
This contains streaming in a single day when listeners of different songs are asleep — which explains why many Okay-pop idols’ songs enter home charts late at night time however aren’t seen throughout the day. Social media pages encouraging followers to stream suggest checking “very first thing within the morning to see if the music had been taking part in all night time with out interruption.”
 
 
Peer strain
 
Followers proudly proclaim they consciously maintain themselves again from listening to different artists’ songs even when they wish to, with the intention to not interrupt the continuous streaming of their one favourite artist. They usually face strain from different followers to current screenshots that show they’ve been streaming.
 
Many go as far as to sentence different followers who don’t do the identical, usually with threatening rhetoric that incites concern amongst followers.
 
“When you gained’t assist your favorites [by streaming], don’t complain about them not profitable any awards and don’t be stunned once they disband,” quite a few responses to #SayNoToStreaming emphasize. Feedback like “don’t let this be their final comeback” are ceaselessly seen below newly launched music movies by comparatively lesser-known acts.
 

One fan on-line proves with a screenshot that they’ve been streaming boy band Exo. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

 
Some dismissed the hashtag motion as a non-issue, reasoning that streaming is solely every particular person’s choice. Nonetheless, contemplating that such pressures are prevalent in fandom tradition and lots of stream to the purpose of neglecting their very own private lives, it could be a disingenuous method.
 
One Korean fan in her mid-20s, previously a loyal fan of a still-active boy band and who wished to remain nameless, shared what estranged her from being an lively a part of the fandom.
 
“You understand how the time period gaseongbi [cost-effective] fan is mainly used as an insult within the Okay-pop idol scene,” she mentioned. The time period refers to informal followers who don’t stream all day or purchase CDs, however merely benefit from the singer’s works lightheartedly. They’re usually referred to as out as pretend followers and will even be requested to depart the fandom.
 
“Till my early 20s, I felt like I needed to stream, buy a number of CDs, attend fan autograph occasions, go to live shows […] promote them and typically defend the group on-line if I had been to name myself a fan.”
 
As she identified, streaming is without doubt one of the many actions required from those that wish to be acknowledged as bona fide followers. They’re anticipated to place in each money and time to set a myriad of latest information for the artist, and the so-called mild followers who don’t are largely shunned by the core fandom. Many declare that those that don’t stream lack sincerity and don’t should attend live shows or meet-and-greets.
 
“I keep in mind being continually distracted throughout the day to test if my music streaming was on,” she continued. “It disturbed my sleep. […] I knew streaming day and night time was interfering with my actual life, mentally and bodily, however the strain was sturdy on-line the place followers collect. We had been instructed different followers are busy too however nonetheless put in ‘actual effort.’ The strain doesn’t look like an enormous deal from the skin, however as a result of fanhood is predicated on love, suggesting that my love was unfaithful was very guilt-tripping and influential to me on the time.”
 
 
Debates going deeper
 
Followers naturally wish to present assist to their favourite artists; a phenomenon seen in any pop music business. However a fandom tradition that additionally requires a lot time, cash and sincerity, each day and in a extremely organized method, is taken into account distinctive to Okay-pop. The place does this labor-intensive tradition come from?
 

A information explaining the way to effectively stream continuous, distributed by boy band Monsta X’s fandom Monbebe. The picture contains ideas for streaming on Melon, although there are guides for every streaming platform. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

 
Music critic Park Hee-a says fairly than singling out Okay-pop tradition as being totally different, the reply lies in Korean society’s work tradition generally.
 
“Okay-pop fan tradition requires a really excessive commonplace of labor-intensive actions,” she mentioned. “Okay-pop is music from Korea, so it inevitably displays the nation’s angle towards labor as nicely. Our work tradition is understood for praising lengthy work hours and dedication. Koreans’ nationwide character additionally emphasizes diligence, intensely so when there’s a purpose to achieve. Not all nations share such a piece ethic, so it’s very fascinating that this tradition of labor, in a means, has unfold to international followers by way of Okay-pop.”
 
These discussions on extreme fan actions have been happening for for much longer amongst home followers. Critic Park says the truth that followers abroad have formally jumped into the dialogue exhibits how they don’t solely take pleasure in consuming Okay-pop, however are additionally critical in regards to the fandom tradition that comes with it.
 
“They’re displaying a powerful willingness to deeply perceive Okay-pop tradition and speak about it amongst themselves,” she mentioned. “Ultimately, every fan will resolve how a lot fan exercise is match for them, and fandoms may also hopefully attain a consensus on how a lot encouragement is appropriate. At this stage, even the heated arguments are a pure and constructive phenomenon which proves that the dialogue surrounding Okay-pop goes deeper abroad too.”

BY HALEY YANG [[email protected]]