How to keep busy when your K-pop boys enlist
You’ve found out your favorite K-pop boy-group idol is enlisting — what now? Here are five things you can do to fill your time and stop the world from ending while they’re away.
SEVENTEEN’s Jeonghan, who recently enlisted on the 26th September. Image: PLEDIS Entertainment.
Although it might sound strange to non-K-pop fans or even to K-pop listeners who stan female idols only, being upset about your favourite celebrity leaving for mandatory military service for 18 to 21 months is completely normal.
Unlike Western celebrities and K-drama actors, the constant influx of content within K-pop means that K-pop idols and fans often have a parasocial relationship that deeply impacts the fan's day-to-day life. While there are essays upon essays written on the unhealthy and dark side of parasocial relationships with celebrities, for most fans, the relationship they share with their boy group idols is akin to that of an online friend living on the opposite side of the world.
With so many fans watching K-pop content as a remedy to stressful days, using an idol’s messages and comebacks as motivation and inspiration — losing that comforting friend for more than a year can indeed be emotionally taxing.
So, here are five things you can do when your favourite boy group member(s) start enlisting and you feel like the world is ending.
Watch Older Content
From behind-the-scenes footage to YouTube variety shows, interviews, and past concert performances, K-pop groups post such a staggering amount of content that it often seems impossible to keep up with. Well, the military hiatus is the perfect time to hit "oldest" on your boy group's YouTube channel and binge-watch it with a tub of ice cream and popcorn.
Often, fan bases on various social media also create schedules to watch older content together as a fandom. Joining such events can be a fun way to rewatch older content while simultaneously socialising with fellow stans, and remaining closely involved with your favourite idol even while they’re away.
Check out our ‘Best Episodes of’ series to find the best episodes of your favourite K-pop boy group’s reality show.
Learn Korean
Finding a new hobby is always a great way to distract yourself from the absence of your boy group. While there are tons of activities to choose from, one that is tried, tested, and always comes in handy for K-pop fans is learning Korean.
No matter how many hours one spends scrolling on 'Genius,' a translation is always just that — a translation. To fully grasp the beauty behind what your idols produce and feel closer to their content, learning their language could be a great start. Besides understanding the music, knowing Korean, even at a conversational level, can make watching sub-less live streams much more enjoyable. Plus, you get an impressive new skill out of it!
Check out our tips for learning Korean here.
Save Up for Future Concerts
Yes, the world might seem to be ending when your idol posts their first shaved-hair selfie, but before you know it, they'll be back on stage and back to posting photos in fresh hairstyles, makeup, and outfits. To make sure you're there for their first performance after military service, start saving now!
SEVENTEEN at Lollapalooza Berlin. Image: PLEDIS Entertainment.
Support Solo Projects
While military enlistment puts a hold on group activities, most boy group members start their solo careers during this time. Often, these solo projects give idols an opportunity to explore something different from what they were doing with their group. As a fan, it's your time to help the members shine by supporting their solo endeavours.
Focus on Your Life
Yes, the words almost all K-pop fans hate to hear: "focus on your life." It's normal to use K-pop as a way to escape from your day-to-day life, but don’t neglect your life altogether.
Your favourite boy group will always be there, and just as you want to see them succeed, they hope to see you achieve your dreams as well. Whether you're a young student or a working adult, use the military hiatus to focus on fulfilling your goals so you can brag about your achievements when you finally meet your idols one day.
Edited by Isabel Miller.
