Chapter 1: This was really well written and I really liked the baseline of it.
It really pushes the reader to look inside themselves and to make a resolution.
It brings forth the other side of idols, the bare and gritty side, that we as bystanders don't get the opportunity to see and really throws that at the reader.
I thank you.

Chapter 1: this was really deep and beautiful. i loved it.

Chapter 1: And finally... a letter to EXO and everyone else.

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Dear EXO,

True fans exist, guys... they don't want you to get sick or cry because of something someone else says. They hate it when you work so hard you're exhausted, or the clothes hang too loosely on you because you've lost so much weight due to stress. These fans cry and rage amongst themselves when they see the bashing, when someone is slighted on a TV show or interview. I'd go so far as to say that for every tear you shed, there are 10 being shed on your behalf.

It may be hard to just brush off the baseless criticisms and bad-mouthing, but just think of the ones who support you silently, who hope and pray to whatever deity they may believe in that you will rise above all this and prove your strength and dominance over these mind games once and for all.

Keep up the good work. Get some rest, eat what you have to in order to stay strong. Don't fight amongst yourselves... work to build each other up. Fight side by side, support each other.

And above all, remember this...

We love you. I love you.

Sincerely,
Panda
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Chapter 1: Would I be so thick-skinned when hundreds, if not thousands, of people were to nitpick me over my weight, my skin color, my ethnicity? Bad enough that one or two do it, but ghosts in cyberspace? With who knows how many silent assents behind them? 3 for every basher? 5? 10? None of whom know me but THINK they do based on the information given out, which may or may not be true to begin with.

Sometimes I imagine what things would be like if I were to actually get into the K-pop industry, as old and unskilled as I am. Could I just laugh and brush it off when someone says "Oh, look. It's THAT girl. You know, the one who can't dance, who holds everyone back. We like ________ better, 'cause she's pretty and slim and can actually sing."

In short, I've come to the conclusion that it would be very hard for me not to be affected by bashing on SOME level, I should think. I can put up a cold front all I like, or just laugh it off, but the fact remains that I'm not about to dish out crap on people if I can't take it myself.


Now secondly. This made me think about all the hard work that groups like EXO put in and how they're repaid for it.

I swear they work themselves to the bone MARROW to make their fandom happy and try to bring in new fans, but by God, can't the interwebs crazies see that? Hard enough being away from your parents at that age, not really being able to interact with friends at school 'cause you're practicing so much, but to have people just callously dismiss your efforts? And after crying your soul out, you have to put on a smiling face and happy persona for the performance or interviews the next day?

It would be near unbearable, and the fact that they can still carry on through all this criticism is testament to their inner strength, even though they might feel as though they're breaking. I'd like nothing better than to be able to sit down with them and tell them (as best I can) that there are people who love them.

[Part 2/2]
(AGH, that was long.)

Chapter 1: As much as I want to say that I have no words for you about this fic, I really have a LOT.

First off, this story made me think hard about myself, which is never a good thing. XD

1) It made me think as to what kind of fan I am, or if I'm even a fan at all. I have yet to bash a group or a group member over the internet, but I will admit that less-than-charitable thoughts HAVE crossed my mind at one point or another, particularly if I don't know the group all that well.

I personally don't care for those who bash groups or group members, 'cause honestly, said "fans" don't really know that group. Or the rival group they're bashing. Sure, "they knew what they were getting into," but it still doesn't change the fact that bullying (yes, that IS bullying and I won't change my tune) hurts.

I mean, hell, everyone "knew what they were getting into" when they enrolled in a public high school, and you STILL hear about kids complaining of bullies and whatnot. Even private schools have their own issues, but the point is that a lot of people are more sensitive than they let on, and the wrong joke, wrong criticism could irreparably damage that person's psyche.


2) It made me think about what I myself would do under those circumstances. Me, I like to think I take criticism well. I've spent the past years under the mercy of my sister and my mum, after all. Hanging around them, it's best to develop a thick skin, but I digress. I have been called a "mutt" thanks to my mixed blood, been called weird 'cause I bow to people when I greet them... and I really don't mind. Granted, the little blowups I do when people insult me are more for the fact that I CAN do it and wanted to make a fool out of the one who "insulted" me, rather than I feel like I should defend myself, but even so.

It's one thing to confront your attacker face to face, but it's completely different when you don't know WHO they are or WHERE they are, much less the reason behind their bashing.

[Part 1/2]