Beyond the Hype: A Critical Look at K-Pop Culture
The phenomenon of parasocial relationships with K-pop idols underscores the complex interplay between the artist, the audience, and the broader cultural and economic forces at play. While fans may develop deep emotional connections with their favorite celebrities, it is crucial to approach these relationships with a nuanced understanding.
The entertainment industry plays a pivotal role in constructing and maintaining the idealized images of K-pop idols. Through carefully curated content, strategic marketing campaigns, and controlled public appearances, agencies aim to cultivate a sense of intimacy and relatability. However, this carefully crafted persona often masks the complexities and contradictions of the individual behind the public facade.
Moreover, the commercial nature of the entertainment industry necessitates a focus on audience engagement and revenue generation. While artists may address social issues or embody desirable traits, these actions should be considered within the broader context of their professional roles and the strategic objectives of their agencies. It is essential to avoid conflating the public persona with the private individual, as the motivations behind such actions may be multifaceted and influenced by factors beyond personal conviction.
Furthermore, the limitations of mediated communication must be acknowledged. While social media and digital platforms offer opportunities for interaction, they cannot fully capture the nuances of interpersonal relationships. The absence of physical presence and the potential for misinterpretation can contribute to the formation of distorted perceptions.
In conclusion, parasocial relationships with K-pop idols can be a source of enjoyment and inspiration. However, it is essential to approach these connections with a critical eye, recognizing the constructed nature of public personas, the commercial interests at play, and the limitations of mediated communication. By cultivating a nuanced understanding, fans can appreciate the artistry and talent of their favorite idols while maintaining a healthy balance between admiration and critical engagement.
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𝑵𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻𝑹𝑬𝑺𝑻 𝑻𝑨𝑺𝑲 𝑶𝑵𝑬
— a look at josie's mobile device & social media ( ft. lunara, dae-eun, finley, jacob, enzo, jieun, kahlan; special mention: lukas. )
THE BASICS:
brand of phone:
samsung galaxy z flip4 512GB.
color:
graphite.
case:
this rhinestone & pearl with a chain thing. visual HERE.
locked or unlocked:
locked, of course, with the fingerprint scanner & PIN, which is jacob's birthday in the format of DDMMYR ( 010394 ) and it's only ever been told to jacob, but would it be hard to figure out? nein.
wallpaper:
childhood photo of her & her brother jacob. visual HERE.
lockscreen:
the front face is a photo of lady justice. visual HERE.
the actual lockscreen is a photo of herself, courtesy of lukas for her linkedin or some shit idk. visual HERE.
USAGE:
time spent on device:
not as much as one might think, truthfully. she only averages about 1.5 - 2 hours a day, but can certainly be on there longer if it's a day she isn't busy or wants to read.
five most used apps:
web browser. email. spotify. ID GO. wheel of fortune.
web tabs:
two are open: one being an online portal for US case law and the other being the crime report. she checks the former for work and school often, but she reads the former just for fun --- normally in the morning while she eats breakfast or before zonking out for the night.
last thing googled:
chapters 263-280 of massachusetts' statute regarding crime, punishments, and proceedings in criminal cases. she had to confirm something. don't ask me what because i haven't thought that far ahead thx.
last text message received:
a quick "that's my girl. i'm on my way" response from finley after josie sent her a very nsfw video.
last voicemail:
a request to meet up from a past play toy that she watched go to voicemail. she didn't bother listening to it.. just read the first line of the transcription before deleting it.
last thing on camera reel & what image was last saved:
photo last taken: THIS photo of finley.
image last saved: THIS photo of perfume she intends to purchase.
extra tidbits:
she's personalised her phone all the way down to making the icons for all of her apps aesthetically pleasing; she does lots of shopping online & primarily does it via her phone rather than her computer; has three different apps for books and the only ones you'll ever see her reading are true crime ones.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
handles:
ohjosie for personal.
josieohcp for business. she passed the exam, so she's a certified paralegal, which is what CP stands for.
instagram, latest post:
snapchat, latest sent:
used to be into it back in the day, but doesn't use it anymore.
dating apps:
um. no. she's hot, she doesn't need a dating app lol
spotify:
top three songs of '22:
tippy toes ╱ XG {xx}
❝ thrift shop keep ya change and ya two cents
bad gyals on the rise, you a nuisance
drop jaws, tie tongues, and the loose ends
got pushed out a queen, I've been true since... ❞
gucci vision ╱ qveen herby {xx}
❝ i need space, bitch, i'm comin' through
if you're in my crew, you can hang tight, we got shit to do
if they only knew, damn right we don't follow suit
crystals out, she on that witch type... ❞
5-star ╱ CL {xx}
❝ you my ocean, i'm your star
yeah 'til six in the morning
baby don't stop, keep it coming
make me feel so good... ❞
last listened to:
yacht (k) ╱ jay park & sik-k {xx}
❝ just for my baby, just for my baby
hit me up baby, on the kakao baby
gimme good lovin', we can get down baby
get down baby, hey... ❞
tiktok:
doesn't have the time nor the desire to bother with it.
facebook:
she deals with it for the firm she works at, but she's never had one herself.
others:
has a youtube account, but the only people she's subscribed to are JCS - criminal psychology ( both accounts ), EWU crime storytime ( all 5 accounts ), and planD.
she also utilises reddit, primarily to read certain true crime related things, but she doesn't have an account.
probably has a linkedin account for business stuff? who really knows, i don't.
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