POP ASIAN: Korean Fans Create Singular Culture

http://popasian.blogspot.com/2009/04/korean-fans-create-singular-culture...

        "We collect money and donate it to the poor under (the member's) name. We gave out kimbap and bottled water during candle-lit vigils last year. On the members' birthdays, we celebrate not only with the members, but also the whole crew working with them and preparing food and presents for them, too,'' Kim added.

             Kpop has become a part of Korea's culture over the past few years. Fans are completely different from fans in the U.S.A. Then again the music or movie industry isn't as important here as it is in Korea.
Korea has so many weekly music shows and give tons of importance to the music charts. Companies like SM entertainment and JYP are already global. Kpop is slowly reaching the west. People like me who don't even understand a bit of Korean have fell in love with the amazing music and charisma of the Korean artists.
             In America we have yearly award shows and a billboard but not many people pay attention to it compared to Korea. The fans are so thoughtful and very caring of their idols. they actually book tickets at concerts for their whole fanclub and use separate colored balloons. bandannas, flags etc. to represent the artist or group.The fans also manage events such as birthday celebrations and album releasing. The fan to celebrity connection in Korea is much closer than of America. Fanclubs actually donate money for charity in the name of artists and prepare food for them and their crew.
             Celebrities here don't get that kind of treatment they get stalked and tortured by fans here. Fans here want a photo. autograph or something to show off but in Korea fans are willing to put in effort, to spend time and money to make an star's image better.
             Not only fans in Korea but those in Thailand, Philippines and China also help a great deal by translating and organizing meetings in their home land as well.
             Fans work very hard to promote their favorite artists, stars or actors.

Now don't you think stars here in the U.S.A are jealous?