MAY 29, 2011, 8 PM. An episode all about Korea aired on one of the programs of a local network here in the Philippines. It’s fun, entertaining and educational since we have learned so much about the colorful culture of Korea. And one of the topics they tackle was the Korean Pop culture.
We all know that Korean music and entertainment has invaded the lives of not just Asian people but even those Americans & Europeans. Korean dramas were shown on local channels whether it is subbed or dubbed and everybody’s hooked on it. Korean music invaded the local music industry even though we don’t understand any word they were singing. But maybe that’s the magic of it, the mystery of its language and the feeling it brought to the audience, young or old it might be.
But what caught my attention was one of the highlights of the program, the music industry of Korea, specifically the KPOP idol groups. And one of them is Super Junior. You can’t blame a fan for noticing a thing, good or bad it might be, about their idols, right?
The host particularly said that this idol group is not active and famous in their own country. I don’t want to sound like a butt-hurt fan coz frankly even before I got into the fandom, I already know that Super Junior was not as famous as they used to be, but what hurt this fan’s heart was that they didn’t thoroughly researched the facts. Sure, Super Junior was not as famous as 2PM or other younger idol groups in Korea but still, they already established their band in the entertainment industry and they were now conquering America and Europe. Individual members of Super Junior even have established their own names in the industry as MCs, DJs, theater actors, composers, television hosts, product endorsers and entertainers. Is that what they call not famous? Not even half it was done by other group who’s more famous than them now.
They were not as famous as other groups not because they lack of fans and such but because of the competition in the Korean music industry due to the new groups sprouting like mushrooms. And this new groups look up to them as inspiration and as parameter for success because of what they have become all these years and their numerous achievements. Fans should know about it but sadly it’s not. Because of this program, I saw what some fans really are, to think that they are with SuJu longer than I am and that’s what really hurts me.
Fine, I was still new in the fandom, considering that I got into this just last year 2010, but even before I got into the fandom, I know for a fact that they are not as famous as they were way back when they debuted up to 2009 during Sorry, Sorry days. I know for a fact that they are getting older and, that sooner or later, they will gradually be inactive in the industry. But these things didn’t stop me from getting into the fandom. Why? Because of one particular thing that I saw between the idol group and their fans. Love.
I got lured into the fandom because of the strong bond between Super Junior and ELF. It was like having older brothers and sisters. A family. It was so pure and magical that I couldn’t believe it in my own eyes until I accepted it in my life. But where’s the fandom I know? The fandom that I believe will always be there for SuJu and for each other? Just because Super Junior was not famous as they used to be, fans will start to back away? I know not all ELF are like that but we can’t deny that there are really some who’s doing this kind of stuffs. Some fans backing away from the fandom and the idols they profess their undying love & loyalty just because they are getting old and started to be less famous. Some fans start to care less when they find other groups more famous than SuJu. I don’t want to believe that the Sapphire Blue light is diminishing….
I want to believe that there’s more ELF who will still be there for Super Junior when they become Super Senior. I want to believe that when Super Junior members part ways and do their own thing, ELF will still support each member on whatever they decide to do with their individual lives. I want to believe that ELF will keep the fire burning. I want to believe that ELF will keep their promise to cover the world with Sapphire Blue balloons. I want to believe that even if the fandom might dissolved and so is the group they cherished, ELF will continue what they have established, the love for each other. I want to believe that Super Junior and ELF are still family, that we are still ONE.
Even if things become like this, I want to believe that our bond is still strong……. Because that’s the fandom I know… that’s the fandom I got into… that’s the fandom I want to grow old with…