INTRODUCTION
When you are a celebrity, fans are a necessity, but what happens when you work in an industry where fans have too much power? In August 2023, photos of RIIZE’s Seunghan were leaked and spread like wildfire across South Korean forums (Benjamin, 2024). These ‘scandalous’ photos pictured Seunghan kissing a woman and smoking a cigarette (p.1). Reception to these photos were anything but positive, they were described as “inappropriate for a K-pop idol” (p.1). With all the ‘controversy’ surrounding him, he would be put on a ten-month hiatus and ultimately leave the group (p.1). So, why did he have to leave the group? One answer, parasocial relationships. Parasocial relationships are described as “one-sided relationships formed when one party extends energy, interest, and time and the other person in reality doesn’t know they exist” (Lawler, 2025). These relationships have caused idols to be kicked out of their respective groups, receive death threats, lose their careers and even be the cause of their death. Although it is impossible to eradicate parasocial relationships, there are a few solutions to tackle this epidemic.
former member of RIIZE
an image that led to his departure
an image that led to his departure
former member of RIIZE
SOLUTION 1:
ERADICATING
UNNECESSARY FANSERVICE
The first solution that can be used to combat this issue is getting rid of unnecessary fanservice. Fanservice is defined as “a type of performance inherently linked to fan gratification, often creating a circuit of pleasure between performer and fan.” (Larsen, n.d). During the pandemic, idols were unable to hold concerts, host fan signs and host any in person activities. Naturally, there was a decline in revenue, so companies came up with fan call raffles. These calls last about ninety seconds; several fans stated, “they had to take on extra jobs to afford these calls” (Koh, 2023). These calls are intended for the idol to come off as relatable instead of unattainable, furthering this parasocial ideology (p.1). Ricky of ZB1 had an uncomfortable experience when a fan kept insisting that he call her master (Lyons, 2023). In the call, he kept denying her request and when she won another call her persistence continued by stating, “last time you didn’t call me master—these calls are very expensive” (p.1). Fans see their favorite celebrity as a product because they dedicate their time, cash, and devotion while expecting it to be reciprocated (Greig, 2023). Simply banning fans who make idols uncomfortable would solve this issue.
SOLUTION 2:
ABOLISHING PURITY CULTURE
The second solution would be abolishing purity culture. Purity culture is when society and media uphold the idea that a person’s worth should be measured based on sexual purity (Loeppky, 2023). This ideology affects not only the fan, but also,” creates systems of internalized and externalized oppression, shame, and judgment that can restrict sexual agency and exacerbate rape culture, racism, and misogyny” (p.1). Idols and celebrities are expected to maintain a pure image that is marketed towards fans. On top of acting ‘pure’ they must also look it, the goal is “youthful, innocent, big eyes, double eyelids, and pale skin” (Chen et al., 2024). This image that is curated leads to fans upholding the idea that their idol is in their ‘purest form’ and nothing should taint it. Idol’s dating breaks this ideology and fantasy fans have concerning an idol’s ‘purity’ and ‘innocence’. Now, fans are not the only ones contributing to this idea, “Companies themselves are responsible for enabling this behavior, as they have been promoting the ‘boyfriend/girlfriend’ fantasy since K-pop’s induction” (Espinal, 2022). When this illusion is broken, fans who have formed parasocial relationships will trend hashtags begging for their removal from their group and bash them on social media; this hatred leads to forced apology letters dedicated to fans (p.1). Getting rid of dating bans and strict rules that restrict idols from doing normal day-to-day tasks would lower this fan entitlement.
SOLUTION 3:
REMEMBERING IDOLS ARE REGULAR PEOPLE
The third solution would be to remember that idols are normal people. It is important to remember you do not actually know these idols and how they are outside of their job. K-pop fans were left in shock when news broke out that Seungri, former member of BIGBANG, was being investigated by police (Min, 2019). He and staff of the nightclub, Burning Sun, were accused of “drugging and videotaping female customers” (p.1). He denied the allegations, but as the investigation continued investigators found he and many other celebrities were in a group chat that shared illegal content (p.1). These group chats contained spycam videos of women who were filmed without consent (p.1). Fellow singer, Jung Joon-young, was found in the group chat and even sent a message that stated, “You raped her haha” (p.1). That was his response to videos of women being drugged and raped, which is utterly disgusting and vile. Jung would later be arrested for sharing and filming videos of eleven women filmed in sex acts (p.1). This is just one of the many cases in South Korea. The most recent case involves former NCT member, Taeil, who was accused of sexually assaulting a woman that was heavily intoxicated (Korea JoongAng Daily, 2025). Since then, he has been indicated for “Special quasi-rape, which is when two or more people collectively assault a victim, or a person sexually assaults another while carrying a weapon, making the victim unable to defend themselves” (p.1). So, when you think to yourself, “my idol would never do that,” remind yourself you do not know how this person truly is and break free from that ideology.
FINAL SOLUTION: CRITICIZE THE INDUSTRY
The last solution would be realizing how exploitive the industry is and learning to criticize it. At the end of the day, being an idol is a job; it is the way idols make their money. In an article by Cosmopolitan, it states, “Exposing the industry’s insidious problems has been next to impossible, largely because the perpetrators are the singers’ own bosses” (Sherman & Kim, 2020). Entertainment companies yield a lot of power in the industry and idols are often powerless in comparison (p.1). A former K-pop artist named Grace stated, “they’re afraid of being blacklisted from the industry and feel powerless compared to the companies” (p.1). Cosmopolitan has tried to reach out to more idols for their stories, but they were ignored, which further reiterates that idols are terrified of speaking about the harsh realities in fear of losing their careers (p.1). She also stated, “Some trainees sign contracts that stipulate that if they quit, they have to pay back everything the program invested in them—depending on the company it can be tens of thousands of dollars” (p.1). This traps young aspiring artists who want to pursue their dreams into endless amounts of debt. Grace also stated, “Others in the industry have been pressured into prostitution—one CEO was sentenced to prison for his role in pimping out artists” (p.1). The industry will continue to exploit young trainees because there is nobody sticking up for them. In 2009, an actress by the name of Jang Ja-yeon committed suicide and left a letter entailing the sexual abuse she endured before tragically ending her life (Min, 2019). In the letter she stated, “her agent forced her to attend drinking parties and to provide sexual favors to 31 high-profile entertainment figures and journalists” (The Korea Times, 2019). The entertainment will continue to exploit young trainees because there is nobody to stick up for them. In the entertainment industry, companies and obsessive fans have a symbiotic relationship, only caring about themselves and not the wellbeing of the celebrity. Do not feel bad about liking South Korean entertainment; just look at it through a critical lens.
ARGUMENTS
There are many conversations regarding parasocial relationships. Are they good or bad? One could argue parasocial relationships spark inspiration and motivation and allow people to feel connected (Wyland, 2023). While that may be true,” a one-sided connection characterized by deep emotional attachment has the potential for harm” (p.1). There is this constant problem that arises in parasocial relationships, which is expecting certain feelings to be reciprocated (p.1). Regarding feeling connected, Harvard Health found “They might contribute to loneliness and isolation if you rely on them too much—which could increase risks of chronic health problems such as depression, anxiety, dementia and heart disease” (Godman, 2024). Not all parasocial relationships are necessarily bad, but extreme reliance on these relationships leads to all kinds of risks
CONCLUSION
Parasocial relationships, mainly in the Korean pop industry, are an epidemic that will certainly never go away. The entertainment industry is without a doubt toxic and exploitative and it is thanks to powerful companies and obsessed fans. While this issue cannot be resolved, there are many ways to prevent further deep parasocial connections. Measures such as: getting rid of unnecessary fanservice, abolishing purity culture and the boyfriend/girlfriend image, viewing celebrities as normal people and lastly, realizing how exploitative the industry is. Beginning to view the industry through these perspectives can break parasocialism once and for all.