DISCLAIMER:
The headline above was written by Theqoo's user. Below is the actual headline from TenAsia's article. Also, to avoid misunderstandings, I'm translating the whole article from TenAsia. However, only the paragraphs in bold are the ones that was highlighted in Theqoo post.)
!!!!! PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN AND POSTED BY TENASIA, AND THEN RE-POSTED ON THEQOO. ALL I DID WAS TRANSLATE IT TO ENGLISH. IF YOU WANT TO COMPLAIN, SEND YOUR COMPLAINTS TO THE JOURNALIST'S EMAIL WHO WROTE THE ARTICLE (You can find it in the Naver link I attached down below) !!!!!
^ do NOT proceed to read this post if you don't understand what I wrote above ^
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Suga --> Rosé and Jennie Challenge: Overseas Extremist Fandom Crosses the Line … Only My Idol is Important?
by Journalist Lee Minkyung
https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/312/0000674954
In response to the "Suga Challenge," a "Rosé and Jennie Challenge" emerged. Rumors circulated that BLACKPINK’s fandom, BLINK, created the "Suga Challenge" to tarnish the reputation of BTS’ fandom, ARMY, leading to criticism and attacks on BLACKPINK's Rosé and Jennie. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time overseas fandoms have fabricated rumors and criticized other artists to protect their favorites.
On August 12, claims began circulating among ARMYs that the "Suga Challenge," which defended BTS's Suga for allegedly drinking and riding an electric scooter, was actually a creation of BLACKPINK’s fandom to damage BTS's reputation.
Overseas ARMYs responded to the "Suga Challenge" by creating the "Rosé Challenge" and "Jennie Challenge." In the "Rosé Challenge," they attached drug-related images to Rosé, portraying her as if she were involved in drug crimes. In the "Jennie Challenge," they posted photos of men alongside Jennie, engaging in blatant sexual harassment. These challenges have gained significant traction, with related posts reaching up to 940,000 views.
This isn’t the first instance of extreme overseas ARMYs attacking BLACKPINK members.
In December 2021, BTS members created personal Instagram accounts for the first time in 8 years after their debut. A controversy arose when V, one of the BTS members, suddenly followed Jennie’s Instagram account, leading to speculation. At that time, V only followed his fellow BTS members and the official BTS account, but when he followed Jennie, it caused a stir. V later indirectly addressed the issue on Weverse, hinting that the follow was accidental by saying, "Is there a way to remove Instagram recommendations? It's a scary app."
Despite this, some extreme overseas fans flooded Jennie’s Instagram with vomit emojis, tagged #FREETAE, and demanded to know the nature of their relationship.
A pop culture critic Ha Jaegeun analyzed that the practice of overseas K-pop fandoms attacking other artists stems from cultural differences between domestic and international fandoms. He explained, "In Korea, there's an unspoken rule within fandoms not to mention other artists."
He continued, "Due to the nature of fandoms, aggressive behavior towards other artists can emerge in the process of supporting their own. In Korea, there was severe fandom conflict during the early days of idol culture, leading to a sort of implicit agreement. If someone mentions another artist, they are cautioned by their peers, but this culture has not settled overseas. Therefore, things that are unlikely to happen in Korea can occur abroad."
Ha added, "It's difficult to confirm whether BLACPINK's fans actually initiated the 'Suga Challenge', so it's premature to conclude that BLINKs were responsible for the whole situation. Even if that were the case, it would be clearly wrong for overseas ARMYs to make false claims about BLACKPINK."
Compared to domestic fandoms, overseas fandoms tend to support their favorite artists by criticizing other artists more frequently. A similar phenomenon is occurring outside of idol fandoms, even within the broadcasting industry.
Actresses Jeon Somin, who previously appeared on SBS's "Running Man," and Ji Yeeun, who is currently appearing on the show, are prime examples of artists suffering due to overseas hardcore fandoms. "Running Man"’s international fandom wanted the original members to remain on the show and criticized Jeon So-min when she joined, with comments like "Ji-hyo is the only woman" and "Draw a clear line between her and the regular members." After Jeon So-min's departure, Ji Ye-eun has also faced negative comments, with fans only supporting the chemistry of the original members and rejecting her
Criticizing other artists is not necessary to protect the artists you love. This behavior only harms both the artists being criticized and the ones being supported. This phenomenon shouldn't be dismissed as merely a cultural difference between overseas and domestic fandoms. Just as domestic fandoms have done in the past, there is an urgent need for efforts within overseas fandoms to self-regulate.
-I just hope they can enjoy their own fandom happily... and stop bothering others.
-It's like these two fandoms are pulling each other's hair, but both sides are the same. There's no side worth supporting. Those overseas fans just take turns going crazy.
-The one who should be considered a murderer is their oppa, yet they take it out on unrelated female idols. The more they act out, the more they push him toward leaving.
-Stop harassing Rosé and Jennie, you crazy people...
-It’s truly disgusting. The toxicity of ARMY is unmatched. Both domestic or overseas ARMYs, they’re all the same.
-Those fans are out of their minds.
-They’re freaking out because BLACKPINK isn't getting affected.
-Both sides should just stop.
-Why are they dragging female idols into this while defending a drunk-driving criminal?
-Why are they harassing female idols like this? Even if you’re crazy about a guy, at least do it gracefully.
-Those crazy fans will eventually get what they deserve. This is disgusting.
-BLACKPINK fans are the ones with solid grounds to sue.
-The craziest and most delusional fans are always defending their idols in the weirdest ways. They don’t have to prove anything, but they still do these things. Why?
-Please stop, BLACKPINK fans didn’t do anything.
