What attract people in Fandom?

Have you ever obsessed with pop culture to a level that you are possessing CDs or collecting everything of your favourite celebrities? I personally define fandom as a collective amount of people worshipping the same thing or person to a level that they are willing to pay attention to them or even momentary support.

But what makes you join in the fandom?

Nowadays, singers are always able to catch people's attention with their uniqueness and attraction. Many people obsess with them and turn into fans. Actually, there are countless ways to enjoy the pleasure of being fans. For example, fans will go to concerts where they can meet their idol, collecting event-exclusive goods such as CDs or making some gifts to the idol. Irrespective of that, it indeed enhances both positive and negative effects.

Fandom actually provides an emotional comfort zone for people. Take me as an example, when I feel stressed about academic performance and depressed about anything in life, I will listen to my idol Minami Kuribayashi’s songs and share my feelings to her. You may want to say, listening to the songs won’t let you solve any difficulties in daily life. But what I can receive is support from her and relaxation. I think I escaped from reality while I was listening to her and received the messages that the song wanted to deliver. After I listen to to the songs, I got the courage to face the pressure in daily life.

(The message I received by Minami Kuribayashi about encouraging me in the study)

The attraction is that you can have exclusivity as many idols may have an official fans club. By you join the fans club, you can have priority to access to some special goods, photos and you can join some unique fans meeting. People who joined a fans club feel like they are different from other fans. Therefore, joining fans club can have exclusivity and fans are more willing to join it.

(Some privileges of Nana Mizuki Offical fans club https://fanclub.mizukinana.jp/ )

In addition, the interactions between fans and other fans can encourage more fans to group together and become a fandom. For instance, if you share experiences about the favourite pop culture in social media, the celebrities may receive support more easily and other fans can share similar experiences with you. I met many fans who support the same member with me(同担Doutan). We exchanged many thoughts and therefore a strong network will be built and become a fandom. I can connect with other fans and exchange experiences such as going to concerts. It makes me communicate more within the fandom and develop a sense of belonging and stronger bondings within the community.

Fandom still has a negative side like Sasaeng fans who take their obsession to a certain extent with an idol that is emotional incontinence. By stalking celebrities or invading personal privacy, some can be even more aggressive, which morphs into a living nightmare. Idol will be perpetually stressed and eventually cause mental illnesses and distancing fans. Conflict in-between fandom will also occur which is harmful to society and reputation. Also, fandoms that idolise or glorifying misbehaviour should be rejected. There are fandoms on certain people who make irrational acts shamelessly, predominantly. All in all, only righteous fandom should be supported as they can uplift and encourage idol.