Parasocial Relationship in the K-pop Community
Source: Seoulbeats Parasocial relationships. The name in itself can sound intimidating or even scary. However, for the most part, that is not the case with many parasocial relationships. So what could be the problem? With the growing rise in popularity of K-pop, there is a startling notice in the amount of unhealthy parasocial relationships between K-pop idols and their fans. The question is, why are these specific relationships having higher cases of obsessed fans compared to western celebrities? In this article, we will be exploring what exactly are parasocial relationships, why these relationship dynamics are more intense compared to the usual celebrity/ fan dynamic, and provide advice for anyone experiencing unhealthy parasocial relationships. Parasocial relationships are relationships involving one-sided connections between a person and a famous, or big named person, “a parasocial relationship involves an enduring, one-sided connection between a viewer and a public figure.” (Wha
