Is Asian Fetishization Why English-Speaking K-Pop Idols Are Treated Differently?

Over the years, K-Pop has gotten more and more global, attracting the attention of audiences worldwide. As this has happened, the collection of talent from outside Korea has become increasingly regular, with active idols coming from places like China, Thailand, and Japan.

K-Pop idols have also been scouted from countries outside Asia, with dozens of English-speaking idols across various groups coming from Australia, Canada, and the United States.

While many of these English-speaking idols are also Korean, some fans have pointed out that they receive different treatment from fans than idols who do not speak English.

For example, one difference between the treatment of English-speaking idols is how fans interact with them directly. Often, these idols are asked inappropriate questions, like when BLACKSWAN‘s Fatou was requested to watch a video featuring nudity or when KARD‘s BM was asked about losing his virginity.

NOOO OMG BM said he lost his v card at 16 or 17 😂 Yo who asked this??? A bunch of the comments got nasty on there pic.twitter.com/XU1wPhNT6t

— julia | blues hockey🤪 (@sweetchiliramen) July 3, 2020

Another discrepancy is how many English-speaking idols are called cringy for their sense of humor, even when telling jokes similar to non-English speakers. AleXa pointed out this hypocritical line of thinking, mentioning how fans often beg idols to speak English during live streams.

some english speaking idols r either hilarious or have the worst tik tok humor ever pic.twitter.com/K0eciL9I0q

— emery ✿ (@ihrtloona) June 17, 2023

she’s so real and exactly bcs some of you love to act weird about english speaking idols pic.twitter.com/biqwfouDHR https://t.co/l1uNA9qceu

— TAEYONG THEE NEO (@CENTERlTUS) June 22, 2023

I know I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. That’s fine, but what bothers me is when people talk sh*t about me online. You know, calling me cringy or whatever, and yet they’re the same people that go on to a Korean idol’s live, someone that doesn’t speak English and like, ‘Oh my God. Say this in English’ or like ‘Say this, king,’ ‘Say this, queen,’ and I’m like, you want people to speak English, but you don’t appreciate those that actually do speak English.

— AleXa

In a recent online discussion, some K-Pop fans discussed why these idols are treated differently. One reason mentioned is that due to a common language between idols and international fans, sometimes fans will feel “closer” to the idol, leading them to speak more freely about them.

Comment
by u/justwannasaysmth from discussion Why do international kpop stans turn on English speaking idols?
in kpopthoughts

Comment
by u/Sil_Choco from discussion Why do international kpop stans turn on English speaking idols?
in kpopthoughts

Another reason heavily brought up is the fetishization of East Asians specifically. When an English-speaking idol is present, this apparently makes the fantasy of a picture-perfect Korean idol harder for some international fans to maintain due to their understanding of what is being said.

Comment
by u/multistansendhelp from discussion Why do international kpop stans turn on English speaking idols?
in kpopthoughts

Comment
by u/Horror_Train_6950 from discussion Why do international kpop stans turn on English speaking idols?
in kpopthoughts

As also stated by AleXa, some K-Pop fans also rob certain idols of their Korean identity, referring to them as “white,” even when it’s against how the idol feels, like SEVENTEEN‘s Vernon.