SUGA, Seunghan and the spreading toxicity in K-pop fandoms

On October 13, Wizard Production, the division of SM Entertainment that manages RIIZE, officially announced that member Seunghan would be departing from the group after previously indicating he would rejoin following a lengthy hiatus due to his personal controversy. In a heartbreaking letter addressing the situation, Seunghan expressed his concerns for both his members and their fans, BRIIZE. He wrote, "I don’t want to cause any more hurt or confusion for the fans, and I don’t want to harm the members any further, and I also don’t want to hurt the company any further," reflecting the intense divide among fans regarding his status in RIIZE.

The fanbase was split into two factions: those who supported Seunghan’s return (Team OT7) and those who believed he had tarnished the group’s reputation and should leave (Team OT6). This division escalated into a virtual conflict across social media and online forums. Tensions reached a breaking point when some anti-fans sent 1000 funeral wreaths to SM Entertainment’s headquarters, demanding Seunghan's permanent departure from the group. The growing pressure and heightened online attention led SM Entertainment to change their earlier decision and ultimately announce that Seunghan would be leaving the group.

What happened with Seunghan?

Seunghan faced extreme scrutiny and relentless pressure from antis to leave RIIZE, compounded by an unwarranted media trial triggered by his personal life, which included a girlfriend, some mildly intimate photos of the couple in bed, and a few images and videos of him smoking—typical behaviors for teenagers and young adults. There were also unverified rumors about his bad attitude toward other trainees, as well as allegations of flirting with female trainees.

When the photos were initially leaked in August 2023, a month before RIIZE's debut, they were accompanied by further images and videos purporting to demonstrate Seunghan's "problematic lifestyle" and "bad character," but none of the rumors were substantiated with solid proof.

Two months after RIIZE's debut in November 2023, SM Entertainment announced that Seunghan would be placed on an indefinite hiatus to reflect on his past actions. Unfortunately, his aspiration to return as the group’s seventh member remained unfulfilled, and he was ultimately ousted from RIIZE.

Ramifications for SUGA

Shortly after Seunghan's departure from RIIZE, a group of anti-fans demanded that SUGA be removed from BTS due to his DUI scandal in August. Despite the case being closed, with SUGA only required to pay a fine of $11,500 (15 million Won), some anti-fans think he has brought shame to BTS and should face the same consequences as Seunghan. Funeral wreaths and protest trucks were sent to HYBE's headquarters, with special measures in place to maintain the momentum of the hate campaign.
In contrast, a large segment of ARMYs rallied to support SUGA, gathering outside HYBE to sing and dance to BTS songs while sending virtual messages of encouragement to the rapper. However, Seunghan's ousting has established a troubling and dangerous precedent in the K-pop industry, suggesting that idols are not allowed to be human—flawed and imperfect—and that agencies must heed fan demands, no matter how unreasonable, as these fans are seen as their primary source of revenue or their golden goose.

Toxic fan-culture on the rise

In his iconic song “Stan,” Eminem depicts an obsessive fan named Stanley (aptly named) who tragically takes his own life and that of his girlfriend when Eminem ignores his fan letters. This chilling narrative was inspired by a disturbing email Eminem received after his second album's release. The lyrics are haunting: "Anyways, I hope you get this, man, hit me back, just to chat. Truly yours, your biggest fan, this is Stan."
Perhaps inspired by this song, "stan" is a common term in Gen-Z slang today. It is especially common among K-pop fans who take pride in their devotion to their favorite artists, setting themselves apart from mere casual listeners. While K-pop culture has largely embraced this "stan" mentality and has provided many positive examples, it has also created a dangerous precedent. If left unaddressed, extreme fan behavior could develop into something much more harmful in the future, and unfortunately, we’re already seeing signs of this with what's happening with Jessi.

Hate-train against Jessi

K-pop soloist Jessi is at the center of a significant controversy after she allegedly failed to take responsibility for a teenage fan who was assaulted by a man reportedly associated with her team. Although Jessi stated that she didn't know him and met him for the first time that night, she cooperated fully with the police investigation and posted heartfelt handwritten apologies. Despite this, the online backlash against her has been shockingly intense, with anti-fans engaging in slut-shaming and sending her death threats.
On October 23, Jessi shared an Instagram story responding to a particularly vile comment that read, "The best news would be a happy one where she ate pills and committed suicide, so I’ll be anticipating it." In her post, Jessi implored, "Please Stop..." while blurring out the anti-fan's name.
There has been a shift from a healthy and enjoyable fan culture into something that goes beyond a mere parasocial relationship, heading toward a dangerous sense of ownership. Fans now feel they possess their favorite idols, bending to their whims and desires, much like wind-up toys activated by a key or winding mechanism. In addition to this sense of ownership, some fans have taken on the role of self-appointed moral guardians, believing that idols betray their trust when they engage in perceived problematic behavior (such as dating scandals), fearing it will damage the group’s reputation and they must safeguard their favorite group’s honor at all times.

Possible solutions?

So, what’s the solution to this escalating issue that threatens to spiral out of control? One possible answer is the establishment of a formal union, similar to a workers' or trade union, dedicated to protecting the rights of K-pop idols. This organization could serve as a mediator between agencies and fans.
Additionally, the Korean government could implement stronger laws to address these critical issues, safeguarding the rights, mental health, and fair treatment of young and vulnerable K-pop idols while ensuring they receive appropriate compensation and are not exploited. These sort of changes to the law have improved things several times before and now might be time for the next round of revisions.
K-pop idols should have the freedom to take breaks from social media or fan apps for their mental health, without feeling pressured to create content or engage with fans regularly. They should not be obligated to answer questions or meet fan expectations if they choose not to.
Social media platforms or content posted on fan apps like Weverse or Bubble should be constantly regulated to ensure that abusive, derogatory, or vulgar content about K-pop idols is promptly removed and that strict guidelines are enforced to protect their mental health and well-being. This would create a safer online environment for both idols and fans, promoting respectful interactions and reducing the likelihood of harassment or bullying. 
Another long-term solution involves nipping the "oppa fantasy" in the bud. This concept refers to the romantic idealization of male K-pop idols, often referred to as "oppa" (meaning older brother or close male friend). Young, impressionable female fans may be led to believe that these idols embody the perfect boyfriend—charming and caring, like the male lead from a K-drama. While a healthy fan culture can be enjoyable, this fantasy is increasingly transforming into a toxic obsession, contributing to the rise of sasaeng (stalker) fan behavior.
Agencies and management teams must stand up for their artists, allowing them the freedom to express themselves through their music and words. Encouraging a healthy dating culture and fostering an environment where idols can be themselves—rather than feeling pressured to constantly cater to fan expectations—would help mitigate these issues.

A new approach to fandom

Finally, perhaps it's time to embrace the concept of being a freelance K-pop fan instead of a full-time devoted one. This approach allows fans to dedicate a portion of their time to their favorite idols while also enjoying life outside of fandom—taking leisurely strolls in the park and soaking up the morning sun. This will save many a Seunghan from being sacrificed at the altar of a crazed and toxic stan culture.