Urgent Need to End the Toxic Funeral Flower Culture in K-pop

K-pop enthusiasts have long voiced their discontent with management agencies, finding fault with everything from minor inconveniences to significant issues. This ongoing dissatisfaction has fueled a culture of criticism directed at these companies.

Historically, fans protested via social media campaigns with trending hashtags or by employing hired trucks for demonstrations. Recently, however, a more disturbing trend has emerged: the delivery of funeral flowers. This method has sparked heated discussions online.

The RIIZE fanbase may not have pioneered the act of sending funeral arrangements to a management firm, but they certainly exemplified the alarming implications of such behavior. Following their debut in September 2023, member Seunghan became embroiled in controversy over allegations involving a hotel stay with his girlfriend, smoking, and inappropriate remarks concerning Eunchae from LE SSERAFIM. Consequently, SM Entertainment decided to suspend his activities, forcing RIIZE to promote as a sextet.

After a ten-month break, SM Entertainment declared Seunghan’s reinstatement, which ignited outrage across RIIZE’s fanbase, particularly among fans in South Korea, China, and Japan. During his absence, the remaining six members transformed RIIZE into a remarkably successful rookie act, achieving millions in album sales and hits like “Love 119″and “Boom Boom Bass,”alongside sold-out concerts at KSPO Dome. The East Asian fans collectively rejected the idea of a polarizing member sharing in their triumphs, contrasting sharply with international fans who tended to be more forgiving.

Benefiting from their geographical advantage, Korean fans opted against engaging in digital disputes with their international counterparts, instead choosing direct action. Within a day, they dispatched 1,000 funeral wreaths to SM Entertainment’s headquarters in protest, astonishing onlookers, some of whom noted, “Even the chairman wouldn’t receive this many wreaths at his funeral.”

Korean supporters also canceled their pre-orders for RIIZE merchandise and pressured advertisers to impact SM Entertainment financially. This overwhelming pressure resulted in Seunghan’s departure from the group just two days after his return.

Observers and neutral fans were left astonished by the RIIZE fandom’s influence. Although fans felt victorious, their radical actions attracted substantial criticism. Many argued that this amounted to a form of psychological torment directed at Seunghan, asserting that, although he erred, he didn’t deserve such treatment at a young age. There were concerns that if he were not mentally resilient, he might take drastic actions.

Fans of BTS (known as ARMY) were not exempt from this disturbing trend. In May 2024, they dispatched funeral flowers in protest against HYBE Labels amid controversies involving Min Hee-jin, who had allegedly made remarks tying BTS to cults and chart manipulation. Fans perceived the company as exploiting the seven members to deflect criticism.

Upon witnessing perceived injustices against their idols, fans mobilized trucks and funeral floral arrangements to protest against HYBE Labels. In light of this intense backlash, HYBE quickly threatened legal action against those damaging BTS’s reputation. This initial wave of sending funeral wreaths was viewed as a success.

Currently, a faction of ARMY has initiated another “funeral flowers festival,” demanding Suga’s exit from BTS following backlash from a drunk driving incident. Despite not facing legal consequences, he was fined 15 million won (approximately $275,000), a hefty amount even for him. While the financial penalty may not have been a concern, the damage to Suga’s public image was substantial. In South Korea, drunk driving carries severe penalties, often derailing the careers of stars like Kim Sae-ron, Lizzy from After School, and Youngmin from AB6IX.

Some fans were discontented, believing Suga’s actions had tainted BTS’s decade-long reputation. They felt that the group’s once pristine image had been compromised, branding the members as “criminals” by association. Consequently, there was a strong desire for Suga to depart from the group, disregarding his ten years of contributions.

Conversely, the majority of the fanbase disagreed, advocating for BTS to retain all seven members and insisting that Suga should not be ousted. On social media, fans with divergent views have been engaged in heated debates, and the second wave of the funeral flower protests remains unresolved.

The Need to End Funeral Flowers Culture

The act of sending funeral wreaths as a form of protest is not new in South Korea. Prior to its adoption by the K-pop community, these flowers had been sent during protests against politicians, the Korean Football Association, and e-sports teams, serving as a traditional way to express dissent.

However, in other cultures, the significance of funeral flowers carries much more weight. The negative sentiments conveyed on these wreaths have cultivated a toxic culture of protest that verges on intimidation and harassment of artists. Many are advocating for K-pop supporters to pursue more constructive forms of protest, steering clear of extremist measures harmful to idols.

In the past, many stars, including Sulli and Jonghyun from SHINee, faced overwhelming pressure from public scrutiny. Sulli, who endured a troubled upbringing and the weight of fame from a tender age, underwent harsh criticism in her later years for her romantic relationships and fashion choices. Almost every decision she made rendered her a target for online harassment.

Yet, upon her passing, the world grieved.

Jonghyun faced severe backlash during his public relationship with actress Shin Se Kyung in 2010, ultimately leading to their swift separation due to public pressure. Later, he struggled with depression, which made him unable to cope with the intensity of social expectations. While his breakup may not have directly resulted in his tragic end, the excessive actions of certain fans likely contributed to his suffering.

To prevent these heartbreaking incidents from repeating, it is imperative for fans to aspire to create a more supportive K-pop environment. This initiative necessitates cooperation from entertainment agencies as well, which should take stringent measures against problematic artists through performance bans or serious legal repercussions. The leniency and negligence exhibited by these companies have, in part, fostered current trends of extreme fan actions. Simultaneously, it is crucial to protect artists who are innocent and maintain their mental wellness through counseling and legal avenues against malicious harassment.

Depression is a common issue in the idol industry, representing a persistent challenge for those who embark on this journey. The grim reality overshadowing K-pop has led many stakeholders to advocate for prioritizing mental health. This movement requires empathy and compassion from fans, whose actions can significantly influence the lives of these artists.

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