K-Pop Fandom: 韓流中的大叔粉絲團

on December 10, 2014 at 10:00 am

When you think of Kpop fans, what comes into your mind? Probably young Asian teenagers, mostly girls, right? But have you heard of ‘Uncle Fans?’ In fact, we can’t talk about fandom without these uncle fans. Just like Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez appeal to a specific demographic – mostly high school students, uncle fans are just one category of Kpop fans.

若跟你提起韓流粉絲，大概也會想起一眾年輕人們，而且大多是女的，但你也許你沒聽過「大叔粉絲」。事實上，當我們談及粉絲也不得不提及他們，因為他們就像Justin Bieber和Selena Gomez那一群高中生粉絲一樣，是韓流中一個特殊存在的群體。

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Photo courtesy of SM Entertainment

Uncle fans are defined as male Kpop fans who are in their young 30s to 60s and more. Popular stars among this specific category of fans are – Girls’ Generation, IU, and Miss A Suzy. These fans are normally employed, thus allowing them to have greater economic power when it comes to showing their affection for their idolized stars. For instance, a Korean man donated seven million won to an international non-governmental organization “World Vision” in honor of Girls’ Generation’s member Seohyeon’s birthday. Unsurprisingly, some of these uncle fans are even married and have a family.

說是大叔粉絲，那當然是男士，大多介乎30多歲至60多歲，常見於少女時代，IU和Miss A的秀智，他們大多都是受聘人士，有強大的經濟能力去支持他們的偶像，表達他們的愛，曾經就有一位男士為了慶祝少女時代成員徐玄的生日，把七百萬韓圜捐給世界宣明會。部分大叔更是已婚和有家室。

Photo via Sports Seoul

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‘I can just stare at them for days’ goes a popular quote that represents the attitudes of uncle fans. Some manias line up to get signatures at fan events all suited up after work. A group of uncle fans can gather up together to put a birthday celebration advertisement on daily papers or send flowers to their idol’s graduation ceremony. Back in 2011, uncle fans of Girls’ Generation sent out a print advertisement that said ‘We wish the best of luck for Girls’ Generation’s expansion on the Japanese market, and wish 2011 would be the year of them. Don’t be sick and don’t get hurt.’

「我可以一整天看著她們。」這句流行術語絕對可以反映出這些大叔們的心態，一些狂熱的粉絲甚至會下班後衣服也不換，穿著一身西裝排隊，為的就是拿到偶像的簽名，他們也會聚集一起在報紙上刊登生日祝賀廣告或是在偶像的畢業典禮上送花。在2011年，一群少女時代的大叔粉絲就印了一個廣告，上面寫著：「祝少女時代成功進軍日本市場，2011年是屬於你們的，請保重身體和不要受傷喔！」

Photo via Si Lolita

However, criticisms are rising as some call them ‘creepy.’ Taking in account that uncle fans mostly go for young Kpop female stars, uncle fans are sometimes coined with the term ‘Lolita complex,’ which describes grown up men sexually attracted to young girls. One uncle fan of Girls Generation’s Yoona showed disappointment for people calling him a pervert because he held up a placard showing affection toward the female star at a TV show. ‘I am 36 years old, and I brought the placard because I thought it would be funny, and wanted to cheer for Girls’ Generation because they are pretty and cute,’ said the uncle fan surnamed Lee. ‘I need the hosts’ apology for calling me a ‘pervert’ and disgracing me by saying ‘What are you doing, think of your age.’’ Shortly after, the post went viral and the program’s producers eventually apologized to Lee. ‘I wish this could change the way people view uncle fans in their 30s,’ Lee said.

不過，一些冒起的評論就指他們令人毛骨悚然，說他們大多追捧年輕女星，有時候這些大叔粉絲更被指是「蘿利控」，即一個成年人對年輕女子作出性暗示，一位少女時代潤娥的大叔粉絲在電視節目舉起標語牌就被指是「邪惡的人」，姓李的他失望地表示：「我都36歲了，我帶這標語牌是因為我覺得很有趣，因為我覺得她們很美很可愛，想為她們打氣。主持人應該就叫我『邪惡的人』和當眾羞辱我『你都什麼年紀了』而道歉！」過了一陣子後事件升溫，節目監製出來為此事道歉，李姓粉絲就希望此事以後能夠改變人們對大叔粉絲的看法。

Similar types of these fans exist, as in Nuna Fans (older women usually in their 20s going for young teenage idol male stars) and Aunt Fans (older women in their 30s going for younger male idol stars). The reason why uncle fans face criticism the most while the rest remain untouched is due to the social taboo of talking about sex. Accordingly, the accompanying ideology deeply embedded in the Korean society would be looking at a crooked stance on older men worshipping younger girls. Thankfully, the society is changing and opening up more to uncle fans as they continue to pledge their fandom to be viewed in a healthy way – as Lee did.

類似的還有「大姊粉絲」（泛指二十多歲的女子追捧年輕男星）和「大媽粉絲」（意思相同，指三十多歲的女子）。大叔粉絲之所以經常備受批評，一方面是因為社會對性的忌諱，另一方面是因為社會會以一個行為不檢的角度去看待一個成年男子崇拜年輕女子。幸好，現在社會正逐漸開放，如李姓粉絲所說，希望能夠改變人們對大叔粉絲的看法和以一個健康的角度去看待他們。