The Struggles of K-pop

Labels

When I first saw a picture of Chen, I immediately said, " He's hot."

And he was, and still is, to me. But back then, I didn't know who he was. I didn't know his personality. His interests. I just saw him as that good looking Korean guy in a group called Exo.

Then I got to know he was an amazing singer, but a horrible dancer. A troll, but also kind. Considered ugly by an app, but considered beautiful to me. That he was in the Chinese Exo, but was Korean. Of coarse I don't know him personally, and I never will, but I do know enough that he is a good person.

But if I saw him, and he wasn't famous, would I have the exact reaction? If I passed him on the street, would I still think he was cute? Would I still see his beauty even though he had no fame whatsoever? If he was just another wondering person carrying out his life like the rest of us?

I've thought about this, and, I honestly don't know. Would I have the same reaction to seeing him on the street? Would I have the same reaction if I saw anyone I like in K-Pop on the streets?

Fame is now a part of these people, it's now part of their "label". They are now known. They are seen on the streets, but not as normal anymore. Not as another fan of someone, but someone who has fans. These people...can never be normal again.

Just let that sink in. They can never have the same level of privacy, because there is always a camera, or picture for every moment, so people can keep track of them. So they know what this person is doing. Your life turns into a film for people's entertainment.

People don't see your intelligence, or your courage, or your kindness, all they see is fame and money. And some people think this life. Fame, money, looks. But yet it isn't.

Labels are deadly, and some are stronger than others. Fame is one of the deadliest ones you can put on a person. And once you put it on someone, it won't come off. It is forever with them.

So why do we put labels on people? That guy is good looking, but maybe he wants to be known as the best lawyer. That girl is drop dead smart in Math, but she wants to be known as a scientist.

And me. I'm that girl with the anime t-shirts, hip glasses, and skinny jeans. I'm that girl who stays quiet, but who wants to actually make everyone laugh. I'm that smart girl, who wants to live in South Korea while others want her to stay in Minnesota. I'm that person in the corner, playing Mario, but wants to be playing Call of Duty. I'm that person, who's known to have socially conservative parents who are against gay marriage, but yet I read gay romance stories. I'm that person, who gets angry at their pastor because they just said the earth is 6000 years old, but I know better.

Labels don't determine who you are. Fame doesn't determine who you are. Money doesn't determine who you are. Looks don't determine who you are.

You determine who YOU are.

And before you think you know a celebrity, just accept the fact, you don't. You don't know their life, all their interests, what they want to be known as.

I once thought I had loved celebrities. And I do. But in a fan way. Where I support their work, laugh as they do aegyo, cry when they cry. But that is a different kind of love, from true love. I will always love K-Pop, and all the stars. But true love...I'll wait on that one.

Don't label K-Pop stars, or anyone who is or has walked this earth.

Because you don't know a person %100.