For showbiz, the close connection between fans and idols is the key point. However, because of this connection, sometimes there are fans who go beyond their limits in their actions towards their idols.
Recently, an ENHYPEN member faced heavy criticism from fans even though he was aware of his mistakes and acted politely. In contrast to the negative reactions of some ENGENEs, the way ARMYs respected this idol then quickly caught the attention of ENHYPEN's fans.
Some fans of BTS's junior group even hope that ARMYs can teach toxic ENGENEs how to behave properly:
Celebrities, especially Kpop idols, always have to be very careful in their words and behavior in front of fans. While this brings a positive aspect in that idols will not abuse their popularity and engage in excessive or unethical behavior, there are also dozens of unpredictable consequences. Typically, there are many fans who are disrespectful, control their idols too much, or react too harshly when their idols make mistakes.
ENHYPEN's Jake recently found himself in this situation after he was criticized for drinking a drink from Starbucks during a livestream on January 5. Fans tried to warn him about the matter, as he quickly switched the cup out in favor for a glαss one. Despite this, many were not appeased and he eventually said that he would “stop drinking,” putting the drink away.
The issue comes as the brand is part of a boycott that many have undertaken in support of Palest1ne. While its workers had expressed support for Palest1ne, Starbucks was quick to disαssociate themselves from their workers, going so far as to sue them. Many customers were turned off by a company suing its workers, especially over what many consider a humanitarian cause. Starbucks has been boycotted primarily in the U.S. due to this as people feel it was not only wrong for Starbucks to sue its employees over a social media post but that the company, which has historically attempted to appear liberal and diverse compared to other companies, has taken a controversial stance rather than showing support and solidarity for the oppressed.
After many people tried to warn the star about Starbucks' influence on the conflict during the broadcast, others posted on Weverse to explain the situation in detail. An ENGENE wrote: "Jake and enhypen please do not buying and consume drink from starbucks again, they fund the genocide in G@za. Please apologize and educate yourself". Jake then responded to the OP's post with a sincere apology for drinking Starbucks and even thanked fans for letting him know.
While many fans supported Jake for his humble attitude and knowing how to correct mistakes immediately, there were many fans who continued to @ttack him harshly. A part of the fans demanded that Jake apologize directly to them, some even demanded to boycott him or asked HYBE to remove the male idol from the group. ENHYPEN's loyal fans felt extremely angry at the outrageous att@cks from many fans even when Jake apologized kindly.
In contrast to the attitude of some toxic fans, ARMYs could not refrain from expressing respect for Jake's behavior in this situation. Many fans of ENHYPEN's senior group wrote on SNS about how they liked his attitude like:
- really earned my respect, really appreciate this from him.
- Big respect for you Jake
- Its literally ARMYs appreciating Jake's honesty and willingness to learn from his mistakes im glad you said this, jake
- I love Jake so much he’s literally the best
- As long as he understands the mistake and corrects it, it's fine. What more do you want?
- He is your idol, ENGENE. He even apologized immediately. Respect him please
Since then, some ENGENEs discovered the tweet from ARMYs and appreciated that even other fans respected Jake. Not only that, some ENHYPEN fans also expressed hope that ARMYs can show toxic fans how to properly behave as a fan. Typically, one ENGENE wrote: "Can bts army educate engenes? Engenes are so greedy and wants more apologies and they all turned badly to Jake and talk names abt jake. none of them can accept reality that he apologized" while the other posted: "Non-fan even appreciate his apology meanwhile his fan turn their backs off so quickly. Hope after this this fandom will experience a filtering".
It was heartening to see Jake learn from his mistakes and adapt a positive mindset to learning! He also approached it swiftly so the criticism or requests for further apologies afterward were excessive. On the other hand, not only Jake but also many other Kpop artists are in the same situation. As a true fan, the thing to do is to politely explain to the idol, not @ttack them.
