We've all been there before. A song, a movie, an Instagram post—and suddenly, someone catches your eye. It's probably their voice, their smile, or the way they can make anything sound like poetry written by Wordsworth. You follow them on their socials, catch their latest releases and interviews, and perhaps even fantasize about bumping into them when you least expect it, and fate would lead to your inevitable burning romance. But sometimes, we ignore how destructive this daydream can be.
Obsession is not a whim; it begins deep within the wiring of our brains. Research published in Frontiers of Psychology (2018) states that our internal reward systems play a central role in its development. Dopamine is released when we engage in things we enjoy. When an obsessive fan interacts with their celebrity crushes through content on the Internet, dopamine receptors are triggered. They start associating this celebrity with pleasure, motivation, and survival. For them, this hit of dopamine becomes an addiction. It compels them to seek that high over and over again, often at the expense of their own well-being.
Additionally, research from Personality and Individual Differences (2016) indicates that people with obsessive attachments with celebrities display an insecure attachment style in personal relationships. These individuals pursue validation through parasocial interactions with famous persons because it offers them a “safe space” to express themselves. This creates an unreciprocated bond where rejection is impossible because, obviously, the celebrity has no idea their “fan” exists. It’s like praying to a god who never listens, where the fan's admiration becomes a twisted devotion, more akin to imprisonment and worship of the celebrity in their fantasy.
Obsession, however, is not built on just neurobiological factors; it is nurtured by society and the people around us. Social media platforms are thriving off of connecting fans to celebrities like never before and are creating an alternate universe by essentially selling parasocial relationships. The constancy of the flow of posts, live streams, and comments blurs the lines between the fan and celebrity, fostering an illusion of intimacy. A casual reaction to a tweet or a like on a comment can be perceived as acknowledgement, reinforcing the fan’s belief that the celebrity “knows” them.
And the fanbases? Oh, they fan the flames. Young teens, especially, have historically fallen into the pit of celebrity obsession—commonly blamed on puberty—crossing the line between public and private life. One of the biggest illustrations of this phenomenon was the rise of the English boyband One Direction during the 2010s.
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According to The Guardian, Directioners were infamous for their deep emotional investment in the boy band. Bordering on the extreme, this devotion even led to the hacking of airport and hotel CCTV systems just to watch the members waiting in the lobby or using the elevator. What had initially started as an innocent crush for the new boy band on X Factor quickly escalated into a sick infatuation, where the privacy of the members was repeatedly violated. “Direction Infection” was often used in the media to describe the madness of the fandom, but underneath the jokes lay the dark reality of adoration gone too far.
The entertainment industry has also been the target of the obsessive fanbase. Robert Pattinson, the star of Twilight, said in an interview with Vanity Fair that he feels confused and frightened by the extreme behaviour of his fans, at times not knowing how to respond to the attention. Similarly, news outlets like Rolling Stone reported how the fans of Justin Bieber created social media campaigns against anyone they saw as a threat to him, from ex-girlfriends to critics.
As humans, we’re wired to seek connection, even if it’s with someone we’ll never meet. But there's a massive difference between admiring someone's work or looks and being convinced that their smile is a secret message for you. Obsession is a beastly shadow. It overthrows any rationality in the mind and paints new realities where logic doesn't stand a chance.
For the obsessed, every gesture is a secret sign, every tweet or comment is a private message meant only for them, and every move is choreographed to the last note of the musical they designed. The celebrity is not just an object of their affection but morphs into an extension of their personal identity. And when reality doesn't align with their fantasy when the celebrity deviates from the fans' expectations– the fallout is brutal. Because how dare they not live up to the image their fans have so carefully crafted for them?
The K-pop industry is a billion-dollar business that hinges on just one thing: creating idols that fans feel they can own. K-pop stars, famously called idols, are recruited as children and trained in singing and dancing for years before they can debut, groomed to be perfect. Agencies nurture obsessive behaviors by pushing K-pop idols to connect with fans on a personal level through staged meet and greets and personalised messages.
On the other hand, they encourage fans to admire their music, performances, and visuals- giving them a relationship with the artist. They are sold the idea that their loyalty and devotion will complete the star. This instills a sense of responsibility among the fans, which develops into an unhealthy demand for constant validation.
These idols aren't just performers; they're the emotional support of millions of fans around the world. Even though the agencies claim to protect their artists and promote healthy boundaries, they often blur the lines, making millions off of it. The intensity of obsession with K-pop artists is often seen in incidents involving “sasaeng” fans. Korea Times reported that these fans go to extreme lengths, including breaking into the artist’s home, wiretapping their phones, leaking and spamming their personal cells, and sending inappropriate gifts. This raises serious security concerns for the artist and their private life.
However, any action against fans is seen as a sign of disrespect towards them and leads to cancellation or boycotting of the artists. Death threats, smear campaigns and online harassment are the most common responses.
So, where does this leave us? In a world where we have constant access to our favourite stars, obsessions are inevitable. The line between liking and obsession is as thin as an Instagram post, But for every overzealous fan, there are over a thousand others who love and support celebrities and go about their lives without a care– as it should be.
What about you? Have you had a weird fan encounter or felt yourself getting too attached to a celebrity? Let us know in the comments. If you have a story to share, feel free to send it to larra@globalindiannetwork.com.
