Why Do Fanwars Start and Are They Justified?
Have you ever witnessed a fanwar between two distinguished fandoms, each passionately defending their favorite group and spewing toxic remarks towards the other? These ongoing conflicts often arise when fans become so attached to their favorite artists or groups that they start to perceive them as part of their identity. This article delves into the reasons behind fanwars and whether they can ever be considered justified.
Understanding Fanwars
At their core, fanwars represent a form of rivalry and competition between fans of different fandoms. These conflicts often spiral out of control, fueled by a myriad of factors. Some fans react defensively when faced with information that challenges their beliefs about their favorite group, leading to a sense of superiority and hostility towards opposing fans. This reaction can be especially prominent among fans who feel their fandom is under attack.
Reasons for Fanwars
There are several reasons why fanwars may start. Often, they stem from personal preferences and a lack of open-mindedness. Fans who are close-minded tend to resist acknowledging the existence and growth of other fandoms. When a debate arises, these toxic environments quickly devolve into personal attacks and arguments, often venting frustrations and inadequacies on innocent individuals, including artists and fans from the opposing fandom.
Justification of Fanwars
The justification of fanwars remains highly debatable. While some instances can be seen as justified if they stem from genuine issues, most fanwars lack substantial reasoning and merely serve as a means to express personal grievances. However, for a fanwar to be considered truly justified, there must be a clear and concrete reason that holds some form of moral or ethical significance.
Impact of Fanwars
The impact of fanwars extends beyond the initial conflict. It often damages the reputation of the involved artists and fans, leading to a negative perception of the entire fandom. In the most extreme cases, fanwars can take on a completely different form, involving physical altercations, public harassment, and the spread of harmful content.
Notable Fanwars
Exo vs. BTS Fanwar: One of the most notorious fanwars involved the K-pop groups BTS and EXO. A fan took extreme measures to publicly mock EXO by creating a portal of her with EXO lightsticks, after which she cut open the eyes and painted them red in a symbolic representation of blood. This visual was posted online, eliciting a strong and negative reaction from both EXO and BTS fans. It's a stark example of how fanwars can escalate to such a concerning level.
SNSD vs. 2ne1 Fanwar: Another infamous conflict occurred between fans of the Japanese girl group SNSD and the South Korean group 2ne1. While the conflict was both bitter and hilarious, a notable aspect is that it involved one of the SM Entertainment branches (YG Entertainment for 2ne1). Despite the involvement of a prominent record label, YG did not intervene in the dispute, choosing instead to let fans resolve it on their own.
Blinks vs. G-Idle and ITZY: The fans of BTS (referred to as Blinks) have also been involved in conflicts with other groups. In one instance, Blinks attacked and criticized G-Idle for what they perceived as stealing a concept. Similarly, they criticized ITZY shortly after their debut. These examples highlight how Blinks can stoop to low levels of behavior when under the influence of passionate fandom.
Conclusion
Most fanwars are unjustified and serve only to damage the spirit of harmony and inclusiveness within fandoms. They often stem from personal insecurities and reflect the lack of maturity and open-mindedness in some fans. While it's important to stand up for what you believe in, it's equally crucial to respect the opinions and choices of others. Fans should strive to engage in meaningful and respectful discussions, rather than engaging in destructive fanwars.