[NEWS] 100529 Why did they act as if they were not fans?

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CREDITS : KOREAN 21 (SOURCE); hazyfiasco@2ONEDAY.COM (TRANS)




"I'm not a fangirl"
Fans avoid the harsh glares of society and turn into 'ilco'

Last September, with the '2PM Jaebum Controversy' at its height, many replies left on the internet had a few out of the ordinary phrases. "I'm not a 2PM fan but I became a fan after this controversy," "It's upsetting for a mother with a child to witness this," "I'm not a female fan but a 29 year old male," and etc. Despite the 2PM fandom being in a state of urgency, the replies left by them were surely restrained. Why did they act as if they were not fans?

There is a term called 'ilco,' the shortened form of 'ilbanin cosplay' (normal citizen cosplay). It describes a fan that is afraid of the eyes of society and instead opts to act like a normal citizen and not a fan. They mumble only the chorus of their favorite idol's song and restrict their bodies from dancing along, acting as if they aren't 'otakus.'

The reason why 'ilco' is so popular amongst the fans is because of Korea's pop culture. Koreans give negative terms to those that 'fangirl' by calling them 'bbasuni' or 'bbadori.' Popular music is looked down upon and standardized while 'fanfics' and 'sasaeng fans' are viewed as taboo, leaving only the harsh glares of society towards the idol pop fandom culture. Naturally, fans begin to wonder when they will be be able to clear themselves of 'ilco' in their work places, schools, or even in their homes.

In order for idol fans to protect their pride and to coincidence with the normality of society, they have no choice but to agree to 'ilco.' These fans 'act' on the stage that is their day to day life in order to look normal in the eyes of society. Although they raise their voices in support of their artists, once their own stages begin, they cross their arms and quietly clap with a satisfied smile.

Ilcos show a different condition from the previous fandom cultures. By identifying with their favorite stars, the only thing that returned to them were the branding of the terms' bbasuni' and psychological wounds. Now, instead of aggressively running towards their favorite stars, the fandom has evolved in a way that fans now keep a certain level of 'distance of respect.' With the accumulation of the fandom's collective experiences, the way they expressed their love has also changed.

Of course, this new cultural practice is rather a 'win win game' for the stars or their fans and can be regarded as a sort of strategy in order to lessen any trouble. Regardless, it is difficult to be optimistic as to whether ilco can be a sort of freedom from the culture of fandoms. Ilco is merely an act to feel a sense of unity with society.