Wow, I’m struck by how often I encounter comments on Dramabeans that capture what I’m thinking about! But this brings up a question I have for experts in Korean pop culture about celebrity gossip. Everything I know about Korean celebrity fan culture comes from K-dramas, where its often depicted as scandal driven, and dominated by cruel or critical internet comments with desperate attempts by pr agents to overcome damaging revelations. I’m sure there’s an element of truth in that—I’m thinking of the Kim Seon Ho controversy this past summer. But what about the more innocent “who’s dating who” that has always played such an important part in Hollywood gossip? I assume that’s a big part of Korean fan culture as well, but I’m not finding it available on the English language internet.
I was interested in Our Beloved Summer lead Choi Woo-Shik’s Canadian background, so I looked up his biography on the Internet, and I noticed as an aside that when it came to his relationship status, at least in the sites I looked at, he is officially “not dating anyone.” Of course, there are a number of rumors based on the shows he starred in (including a suggested gay liaison with Park Seo Joon, and then the hopeful fantasies by Our Beloved Summer fans that he and co-star Kim Da-mi have become a real life couple.) But then I looked up Kim Da-mi, and she is also officially not dating anyone. In fact, I notice that this circumstance is true of the majority of K-Drama stars whose biographies I look up.
Now, despite this flurry of “research,” I want to stress that I am NOT someone who is obsessed with star’s real life romances. For example, the joyous reunion of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez as “Bennifer 2.0” warmed my heart, but if they once again are torn asunder, I’m not going to go into mourning. In fact, as a longtime resident of Southern California, I have over the years encountered a fair number of movie stars, popular musicians, and prominent sports figures out doing ordinary things, and it really bothers me to see other people treat them as familiar, harass them, ask for selfies, etc. I understand fan culture, but I’m sure glad I don’t have to experience it!
Still, what welh says makes me curious–do Korean star profiles differ from the many movie and t.v. star puff pieces I’ve read in my home town newspaper, the Los Angeles Times, where they almost always mention a significant other? Do Korean pr agencies discourage questions about who the stars are actually seeing in real life? But since rumors are circulating anyway, wouldn’t it be in the star’s interest to say “I’ve been dating X and right now we’re quite happy together?”
Open Thread #744
Source: Buzz Pinay Daily
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