I don't dislike any group anymore.
No group has done anything to make me dislike them. I may not like their music or personalities on shows, but that's about it.
The only group that has come close to making me dislike them is
Big Bang.
It's funny cause I was a fan since the day they debuted. But as the years went by, I began to dislike certain aspects of the group...or members of the group. However, it was the first time I ever let a group's fans muddle my feelings towards a group.
I began to dislike Big Bang because of their fans.
I began to dislike Big Bang because I saw this arrogance that was beginning to develop.
I began to dislike Big Bang because they didn't give a rat's arse about another country's culture. They are idols, people who many people look up towards, people who people will scrutinise...and to blatantly display such disrespect pissed the shit out of me.
I began to dislike Big Bang because they were very very close to being overrated in my eyes.
But really, the main reason that fueled my dislike was their fans.
Of course, I've gotten over it. The fans have nothing to do with the artists...and it's not like I don't like their music. It's just...people pick on the Cassies for what they've done in the past. They've obviously changed, so can't everyone move on? No, not for some fans. They need to constantly bring up the past to put down the Cassies and their idols to make theirs seem more superior.
Sigh.
Point one; the fans.
It's an old topic, but I'll write about it anyway. DBSK vs Big Bang. It was THE topic for quite some time a couple of years ago.
Here's the deal, DBSK was at the height of their game in Korea back in 2006. But they left to pursue their careers in Japan. They began from the bottom and raised to the top. They didn't use anyone's name or fame to help them. They preserved with their skills.
Back in Korea, Big Bang began to rise in popularity. With the release of
Lies, they became the "it" group. They experienced immense popularity and followed up with
Last Farewell (which I reckon is really really similar to Lies...but Haru Haru is more similar...)
So, in 2008, it was a face off. The "it" idols from 2006 vs the "it" idols from 2008. Whichever article mentioned Big Bang and DBSK together was sure to get a tonnes of hits and comments (of course, I'm generalising and only taking into perspective of the more popular kpop news sites).
Both Cassies (DBSK fans) and VIPs (Big Bang fans) were at each other's throats. Fan wars erupted and what did I do? Sit back and enjoy. At first, I thought it was amusing...the things that people will say to defend their idols.
However, in due time, I began to get irritated. I got annoyed and was in disbelief.
A bunch of VIPs were dissing DBSK - saying that they're over. They've got nothing else to give. They're old. People should just move on. Big Bang are "better", "superior" etc. And how did these people defend their claims? With their so called "truths". They weren't the truth, they were just statements of opinion.
And also, "no one in DBSK composes but Big Bang does". No. Get your facts right before anything else. The main composer of Big Bang at that time was G-Dragon. That's just one bloody person out of five people. Whilst for DBSK, there was Jaejoong, Yoochun and Junsu (But only Jaejoong and Yoochun's compositions were used for the group).
What I learnt from this experience was the lengths people would go to defend their idols, the lengths that people would go to disillusion themselves into believing that what everyone was saying was just lies to protect the image of their idols etc etc...
There are also a group of people who ruins a group for you... and that was what I experienced at the time. It wasn't a small minority either...which was what triggered by annoyance. Like I said, I've moved on from then and I can deal with annoying pests like them now.
Point two; arrogance.
I've been lucky to follow a group that have shown nothing but respect, gratefulness and humbleness throughout their career. Despite their immense popularity throughout Asia (and other countries across the world), they were always humble and down-to-earth guys.
That is not something I can say for Big Bang. Maybe it's because of the way the media has portrayed them or maybe it's because I've been seeing them in a negative light because of their fans, but I began to see arrogance. They were haughty...and I blame that on their sudden rise to fame. But like I said, maybe I was just trying to find faults in them because of the circumstance I was in. However, looking back on it, I still believe that they were haughty. Not all of the members, no...just one or two which I don't really want to name.
For all I know, it may just be an act they're putting on, but I dislike the arrogance I can interpret from their face.
Point
three; disrespect.
Big Bang are currently promoting in Japan. They represent many of the things I despise about Korean artists/idols going to Japan. Firstly, I understand that there is a language barrier. However, you're on TV that will be watched across the world, at least show some respect and pretend to at least want to be in the country.
I loathe watching Big Bang feature in a show in Japan just to see how two members can't give a rat's arse about their promotions in the country. They're thoroughly bored and can't be bothered to hide it. They ruin Big Bang's imagine in Japan for me. The rest are trying the best to learn about the culture, language and fit in. They're showing genuine interest. Unlike the two who are obviously there to earn some extra money and return to Korea.
This may not be their intentions, but it's what comes across to me.
If I had to pinpoint one of the reasons why I was able to let go of my distaste for the situation, it's because I realised I was comparing them to DBSK. I was too blinded by what DBSK has offered and have put that expectations on others.
Who am I to say that Big Bang must also start from the bottom and work their way to the top (although I would have liked it if they weren't promoted in Japan as DBSK's rivals just to gain some attention and exposure. I would hate to be in Big Bang's shoes, knowing that some of the attention given to me is because of another group's success).
Who am I to say that artists can't be arrogant?
Who am I to say that Big Bang must respect another country's culture by learning the language and showing
decent interest?
I am not the judge, but just the consumer.
So anyway, I've come to peace with Big Bang (HAHA, as if they'll care) and I've learnt more about the craziness that's involved in fandom.
Therefore,
I don't dislike any group anymore.
