K-pop boys empower fans to have better mental health

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Ngày cập nhật gần nhất: 15/4/2026

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So who will support these K-pop boys?

Idols are not licensed therapists

Originating from Twitter, the term “emotional support K-pop boy” quickly spread to Tumblr, Reddit as the songs and appearances of these idols helped many fans overcome difficult stages of depression, giving them more confidence in life.

“Every time I see him, I feel like the sun is shining on my face.” L. Gissele finds emotional support from three K-pop boys: Kim Namjoon from BTS, Bang Chan of Stray Kids, and Johnny Suh from NCT 127. “Namjoon’s words inspire me to do better and aim for bigger things. Chan has been there for me in the darkest times of my life. He reminds me that depression doesn’t define me and that I can overcome anything. And Johnny, just seeing him smile makes me happy,” shared the 18-year-old girl.

There's a strong connection and added motivation drawn from idols within the K-pop fandom. These artists ignite inspiration, comforting people through music, livestreams, and even the idol's personality greatly encouraging fans during tough times. Such positive influences help fans achieve better mental health, especially when finding solace elsewhere is challenging.

Many perceive this admiration as a sign of infatuation, especially when the fan is female. However, in reality, there's no romance or sexual appeal involved. K-pop boys simply serve as spiritual boosters.

Laffan from the National Anti-Bullying Center at Dublin City University is an expert in cyberpsychology, studying the impact of the internet, technology, and social media on our minds. Currently awaiting peer review on his study, he focuses on the positive psychological effects on K-pop boy band fans. He notes the scarcity of psychological studies on such emotional support, stressing its significance.

Certainly, like everything else, this requires a delicate balance. Being intensely consumed by this culture can potentially harm mental well-being. However, in moderation, it can be very beneficial for fans. Laffan shares: “It can be said that, in most cases, the emotional attachment to idols is quite safe and fulfilling.”

K-pop boys offer a lot of encouragement to their fans. Kim Seokjin of BTS once said in a 2018 livestream: “It's really hard to love yourself. I've struggled a lot with self-values. Love yourself and give yourself compliments, guys.”

“Whenever you face difficulties, feel hopeless, I just want to say that you open up to us. We will listen to you, and no matter what, we will try to help you get through this phase.” Bang Chan, the leader of Stray Kids, told fans in a livestream last year.

So who will support these K-pop boys?

However, idolizing someone could lead fans to criticize those with different opinions, potentially attacking the idols themselves. Many expect and trust them to embody perfection, which can be detrimental as it pressures them to maintain an unrealistic image. We must remember that the true role of these K-pop boys is to be singers and performers, not solely to bring happiness to fans.

In January, fans demanded that Exo's singer Chen leave the group simply because he got engaged. Harsh criticism online, coupled with unreasonable expectations, the loss of privacy, freedom, and the loneliness could severely damage the mental health of these idolized boys.

Idols also face other pressures in the industry as well as personal issues. While fans generally care, sometimes their actions can be overly intrusive, affecting their idols negatively. Unfortunately, these boys have no one to listen to them. Mental health services within Korean entertainment companies are practically nonexistent.

While many believe K-pop fans are blindly devoted, most of them are aware that their idols are also human. Many see their idols' flaws as points of admiration.

Idols are not licensed therapists

Safithri listened to BTS music to improve her mental health for years, but eventually sought out a licensed therapist.

“I realized that idols are helpful for mental support, but they're not the solution to problems. Now I still love their music and find comfort in it when I'm sad or stressed, but I've also learned to deal with my issues and not run away from them.” Safithri shared.

There is no scientific evidence to suggest that idols can cure mental illness, relying on them only adds pressure on them to be responsible for their fans. Unlike K-pop idols, mental health therapists are the ones who can address issues more effectively.

According to Mashable SE Asia

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