Taehyung’s IG posts last night created a noise, once again, on socmed particularly a photo that shows him with JK and the other where he holds a McDonald frenchfries. While such photos are simply conveying that our V was enjoying a well deserved break, fans have varied interpretations and reactions. Taekook shippers were delighted and fans sensitive to the issue of the Israel and Palestine conflict went on social media to voice their opinions from the sarcastic to the scathing.
Thinking about the controversies these pictures have elicited had me looking up on materials and information online and via AI.
Let me first share my take on shipping and love teams. I have my own ships: Leia and Han. Katara and Zuko. Hermione and Ron. Pops and Gary. Jolina and Marvin. John Lloyd and Kaye hAbad. I love reading about them and I root for them in my own imagined reality. I watched episodes of Tabing Ilog, Gimik and waited for performances of Pops and Gary on Kuya Germs’ Sunday show. There are ships and love teams I don’t like. I was even condescending on the Alden and Maine love team. Like any fan, my biases and implicit prejudice would get the better of me. What is important is the desire to check our biases and implicit prejudice whichever side of the fence we are in.
It is possible to be self aware and reflective but before I discuss ways to do so, here are reasons that make shipping harmful for the idols and artists as well as the fanbase, fandom and one’s fangirling.
1. Privacy and Boundaries: Idol-fan relationships are built on a foundation of respect for the idols' personal lives and boundaries. Shipping can sometimes cross those boundaries, leading to invasive behavior.
2. Misinterpretation: Fans might misinterpret close friendships or interactions between members as romantic, which can spread false narratives.
3. Pressure on Idols: Public shipping can put pressure on the idols themselves, potentially making them uncomfortable or affecting their interactions with each other.
4. Fan Wars: Shipping can sometimes lead to conflicts within the fandom, with different groups of fans arguing over their preferred ships.
5. Impact on Real Relationships: It can affect the idols' real-life relationships, both within the group and with others outside of it, as they may feel pressured to act in certain ways to appease fans. Shipping, when done respectfully and within fandom spaces, can be harmless fun. However, it's important for fans to remain mindful of the potential negative impacts and respect the personal lives of the idols they admire.
I will be posting parts 2,3 and 4 in the coming days.
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