Being a Fan as an Adult

As we grow up, people tell us what to leave in the past and what to bring with us into the future. Oftentimes, being a part-time music group fan is one of the things that we are told to let go of, but why? Being a kid and falling in love for the first time with the insanely attractive and beautiful singer that we watch through a screen is such a fun experience, so why would we want to give that up? If anything, as we grow up, being a fan becomes more enjoyable and exciting.

Bangchan and I at my college commencement. Casual.

For one, being an adult comes with the privilege of not having to ask your parents if you can go to that concert on Saturday night and stay out past eleven. You also don’t have to ask your parents if you can go to an event at a little cafe on Tuesday where you buy some boba and get a sleeve for your cup with a singer's face on it. You don’t have to ask your parents about anything! Being a fan in your adult years comes with the freedom to do whatever you want, whenever you want. This is dreamed of by younger fans, and now is finally the time. Plus, if it’s spur of the moment and no one can go with you, you can go alone to any event and have a blast. Because adults go places by themselves. Right? 

Whoever thought of cupsleeve events is a genius and needs to get a smooch.

On top of being able to go to anything, adulthood also comes with something that normally has a more negative connotation: financial responsibility. In this case though, it rules. Now that you’re grown, have your own bank account, and have access to everything “younger you” always wanted, you can finally splurge on those couple extra albums or that concert ticket that is $100 more than what you normally spend. (Note: it’s “financial responsibility.” Let's not go crazy and get ten extra albums and the seats that are $500 more… no matter how tempting it is.)(Double note: buying ten albums and VIP seats every once in a while won’t hurt anyone.)

I will never stop making K-pop TikToks like… ever.

From going to university to moving out, traveling to new places goes hand in hand with being an adult. It can be scary, but it can also mean seeing your idols ten hours away by car or plane, because if they are in LA right now, you have to be there. So many fans have said that traveling for a concert has brought them to cities they never imagined visiting, and it was the best time of their life. Doing something spontaneous, safe, and unimaginably fun sounds like the best way to spend a weekend. And in a new and fresh city? Say less. 

The one thing I always dreamed of as a little kid was falling in love with the singer I was obsessed with, but what was standing in my way was that fifteen year age gap. Now, being the same age as the musicians I like is essentially the best thing ever. They seem so much more relatable and like real people. Being the same age as someone you admire gives you common ground of going through the same life experiences at the same time. They are just as slightly (very) scared and lost about what to do with the grown up life that sits in front of them. It’s very comforting to know it’s universal and even your favorite idols go through life unknowing. 

Half of what you see in this was completely spontaneous and in a city that I now want to move to. Follow your gut and have fun!

Some people call being a fan as an adult “immature,” but it’s not. It’s meeting new people who have the same interests as you. It’s going to new cities to see a group and realizing that maybe that bustling city has more for you than what you expected. It’s having a hard day at work and coming home to a new vlog being posted by your favorite person and knowing you bring a light to their life while they bring a light to yours. Adulthood is hard enough as it is. Don’t feel shame or guilt for things you genuinely enjoy. Liking K-pop and being a fan as an adult is fun. Enjoy it! Some things get even better with time.