Crazy Fans? No, SCARY Fans.

Do you know anyone who aspires to become a celebrity? Why do you think that is? What is it about celebrities that so many people on this earth crave?

I would have to say, attention is the most obvious answer. Whether it’s hatred or love, we as human beings crave attention. We want people to care. As social networking is becoming more and more prevalent in our lives today, it’s becoming easier for us to discover different channels in which we can call out for attention.

Red carpet paparazzi (http://g1nbc.com/galaxy-of-the-stars/paparazzi/)

However, what happens when this attention gets carried away? What if this attention turns into obsession? What if that obsession transforms into absurd actions? And when it starts to harm people, how do you get people to stop caring?

These are some of the questions that come into mind when I think about crazy fans, fanatics, fan clubs, etc. We see all kinds of paparazzi crazes in Hollywood. We hear of out-of-control-fans chasing celebrities down the street. The stories never end.

In the eastern part of the world, fans operate a bit differently than in the west.

First of all, the fan clubs in Asia are extremely organized. It resembles a very tight community, always communicating and mobilizing together. Most of these fan clubs are made up of young girls. They range from elementary school to high school students. Many of the group members follow their celebrity around everywhere. For some of these girls, becoming a mild stalker is just the beginning.

These young girls will hack their phones and invade all sorts of privacy and even get into stars’ apartments. TVXQ’s fans are widely known for their wild actions. TVXQ has claimed to coming home to an apartment with fans watching their TV and lounging around in their living room. Girls have slapped and violently harmed some of the members, causing some severe injuries.  This male idol group has received all kinds of repulsive gifts such as menstrual blood to used feminine products. Pretty unbelievable, isn’t it?

TVXQ (http://ddramatards.wordpress.com/2012/01/08/another-week-of-dbsk-jyj/)

TVXQ Fans (http://seoulbeats.com/2011/01/cassiopeian-invasion/)

Japanese singer and actor, Yamada Ryosuke has publicly asked his fans, “Why? Why camp outside my house waiting for me? I really want to go to school. But why is that too much to ask? It's cruel! If you're a fan, please think carefully about what it means to me.” His fans have not only camped outside his house, but they have installed video cameras all around his home.

Yamada Ryosuke (http://pollpigeon.com/yamada-ryosuke-or-chinen-yuuri/t/67834/)

I have no explanation for these girls’ actions. I’m sure they don’t either. I wonder if all the thousands of people aspiring to become famous have thought about the life that takes over after the fame.  I doubt we’ll ever be able to crack the psyche of these scary fans, but someone seriously needs to calm them down!