how much fanservice/skinship is actually real in kpop? (1 Viewer)

[amourpinks]

many people think that skinship or fanservice between idols is very planned behind the scenes and is only used to gain fans. while many think that it's actually real and fans are simply just witnessing it.

thoughts?

personally i think that it's both, there's definitely idols who know that skinship gains attention and fans, that's most likely why we so much queerbaiting in kpop. that's really the only word i can think of tbh, because idols are definitely aware of the gay ships that go on in their respective fandoms and how popular they are. boy groups especially know that and that's why there's so much skinship between them lol. but I do think that there are some aspects of it that are real, I think they just over dramatize it for the fans.

 

[Darkseid]

Most of it comes across as pretty over the top and exaggerated to me, especially on varieties or stage shows/concerts. They are just providing more "content" for their fans to obsess over, clearly they know what actions will have the intended effect on people.
Sometimes yeah, in Vlives and stuff, you can see idols being more themselves around each other. They may still be touchy, but it comes across more natural rather than deliberate.

 

[amourpinks]

Most of it comes across as pretty over the top and exaggerated to me, especially on varieties or stage shows/concerts. They are just providing more "content" for their fans to obsess over, clearly they know what actions will have the intended effect on people.
Sometimes yeah, in Vlives and stuff, you can see idols being more themselves around each other. They may still be touchy, but it comes across more natural rather than deliberate.

yup, I agree, vlives always seem more natural because they aren't as planned and they're not actually physically in front of their fans. in concerts, idols are completely different with the way they interact with one another, probably because they feel like they have to go over the top with the skinship to make it feel like the fans got what they paid for which is kinda sad in a way lol.

 

[Jimimis]

I honestly couldn’t care less if it’s fake or not. It’s a business transaction: I get my gay fan service and they get money. It doesn’t really matter if it’s real, what matters is if it’s a good fantasy to indulge in

 

[amourpinks]

This might sound overdramatic, but I think one of the greatest tragedies of k-pop is that it's not like... a group of people coming together to form a band because they like each other and know their various music tastes can mesh into one singular coherent artistic vision. It's a bunch of people pulled together by their company and basically being colleagues as they perform music that was made by other people. While it is true that idols can still develop those close friendships, especially if they live together, most of it is just there for the cameras. And to bring it all back to the OP, I think that includes the fanservice and such. I have no doubt some of it is real, but... not all of it.

I agree with a lot of this, idols are great actors, they're great at acting like they like each other when many of them probably don't. I've been so surprised at how many ex idols saying that they didn't actually have a great relationship with their group when they looked like best friends on tv. we really don't know idols relationships behind the scenes. we really don't know what is authentic and what is genuine. and tbh that's one of the biggest downfalls of industries that are so manufactured and structured. they're not allowed to express dislike for anything or anyone. say what you want about the western industry but at least we know who hates each other.

 

[dooh]

most of them are fanservice for sure. Especially gay ships, REALLY popular, the easiest and safest ships/skinships.
But i enjoy them to some extent.

 

[spicy_illusion]

I completely agree.
I would say that so much of it is fake and they have to at least pretend that they are close because they have to work together and fans want it.
However, there are the few ships that you can tell are actually real and are either real friendships or real attractions and they are actually into each other as they are genuine feelings for that person and it's like sometimes that they can't act it because they really do have those feelings for their colleague.

It's just like when you are going to work, you either don't actually get on with someone but have to work with them because it's your job and everyone has to work together to be effective, or you do actually really like your colleague and sometimes you can have that attraction to them.

You know when it's real or not because when it's fake, it's acting and sometimes they feel uncomfortable but when it's real, you know it's genuine and sometimes they say things that you wouldn't say if you were just acting.

 

[Ahsoka]

I think it's a little more real than some other people here think, it's definitely exagerated but Koreans in general are more touchy I believe, from what I know at least. I still think it's overexagerated usually but not to the extent others here seem to think.

 

[Belgizen]

none of it is real. Even if it is not planned, someone probably told them to dos kinship with that person.
It's like when a group cries when they receive a win: some are real, others are planned and fake asf

 

[spicy_illusion]

none of it is real. Even if it is not planned, someone probably told them to dos kinship with that person.
It's like when a group cries when they receive a win: some are real, others are planned and fake asf

I wouldn't say none of it is real. Maybe more is fake than real though.

 

[JJbaker]

there will only ever be one real skinship
and they were a actual couple within the group [they broke up and the group disbanded]

 

[Myco]

Whole topic reminds me of this or that one iconic video/gif with Taemin and Jonghyun.

Mostly agree with the general opinion of it being more extreme infront of crowds etc/ less on vlives cuz its less planned

 

[yeji]

I would say it's a mix. not everything can be staged. real things do happen in idol life too

 

[chilloutdiana]

there will only ever be one real skinship
and they were a actual couple within the group [they broke up and the group disbanded]

broooo this is so sweet thank you for sharing this
it makes me sad when people force ships
but i hope more people feel comfortable with their sexuality in kpop
whether they are straight, gay, lesbian, bi/pan, otherwise queer, ace, etc. Love is love :)