The Rise of Individual Fandoms Over Group Fans: Insights from Jennie, Lisa, Taemin, and Taeyang

This phenomenon illustrates a cultural shift where fans increasingly favor specific members over the entire group. As solo activities rise following group promotions, the size of individual fandoms serves as a key indicator of popularity for solo artists. This trend is exemplified by BLACKPINK’s Jennie and BIGBANG’s Taeyang, who are interacting with fans in diverse ways.

On September 19th, Jennie’s team released a voice message via the official channel saying, “Hello, Rubies. This is Jennie. Please watch over me. See you soon.” According to OA Entertainment, “Rubies” is not an official fandom name but a colloquial term for fans who engage with their news page. While there is no established fan club yet, this gesture indicates a move towards cultivating individual fandoms ahead of Jennie’s anticipated October comeback.

Lisa has adopted a similar approach, referring to her fans as “Lilies” during her solo endeavors. Earlier this year, Rosé invited fans to propose a fandom name. Except for Jisoo, who is currently focusing on her acting career, the other BLACKPINK members are actively fostering their individual fandoms.

This trend is prevalent among mature groups that have transitioned from their original companies. Like BLACKPINK, BIGBANG members are not forming official fan clubs but are engaging with fans directly. Daesung established his Japanese official fan club “D’s light” last year, creating a platform for more personal interactions through his website.

Taeyang similarly sold personalized light sticks in advance of his concert held from August 31st to September 1st. He retained the iconic yellow color of BIGBANG’s light sticks, symbolizing his commitment to the group through his fan café. While many fans appreciate his loyalty to BIGBANG, some expressed their disappointment over concert tickets being available without pre-sales for fan club members.

In contrast, SHINee showcases a different scenario. Minho and Key have remained with SM, while Onew and Taemin have switched agencies. Each member has officially established their personal fan clubs, with Onew’s fans known as “JJINGGU” and Taemin’s as “TAEMate.” Recently, Taemin conducted a solo world tour and introduced individual light sticks, with minimal complaints from fans. This likely stems from the reassurance given by the members regarding group activities, as SHINee continues to thrive in both solo and group projects.

This year, as SHINee celebrates their 17th debut anniversary, fans who have evolved alongside the artists are aware of the difficulties in managing a fan community without an official fan club. Common benefits for fan clubs include early ticket sales and opportunities to participate in public broadcasts. Early ticket sales are regarded as essential, increasing core fans’ chances to attend concerts. However, it poses challenges for offering benefits to group fan club members, particularly when a few members have left the agency, complicating revenue sharing.

Some fans embrace these changes, whereas others feel let down as supporters of the entire group. Concerns arise regarding the financial burden when fans join individual fan clubs and purchase support items. Nonetheless, considering the revenue derived from concerts and events, the development of individual fandoms seems unavoidable. This shift has led to occasional overlaps in fandom names as individual fandoms emerge alongside group fandoms.

Recently, Jennie faced scrutiny over her fandom name overlapping with that of singer Kwon Eunbi. OA Entertainment clarified that it was not an official fandom name, alleviating the controversy. Jennie isn’t the only one encountering such issues; similar incidents have occurred before, such as complaints during the naming process for rookie group ILLIT’s fandom name clashing with Lisa’s fandom name. TXT also had to change their fandom name after it coincided with Tiffany’s official fandom.

The efforts to solidify individual fandoms are likely to intensify. Balancing the needs of group fans while creating unique fandom names will continue to be a pivotal challenge for artists navigating the evolving landscape of the music industry.

Source: Daum

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