In a recent fansign event organized by the budding K-pop group NewJeans, a series of videos went viral, igniting a debate about the age of attendees. The videos, which have been widely circulated on social media platforms, notably show a significant number of middle-aged men attending the event.
NewJeans, a group with members aged between 15 to 19, held the fansign event to celebrate the release of their second EP, "Get Up." The event was exclusive, with only fifty lucky winners, chosen at random, getting the opportunity to participate. However, the demographic of the attendees, as captured in the videos, raised eyebrows.
One particular video, reposted by a TikTok user @lilac.cloudy, questioned the presence of older men at the event. The user pondered how a man in his late 30s could relate to teenagers and why they would attend fansigns instead of allowing younger fans the opportunity. The video showcased these men taking photos and videos of the girl group, with some even bringing ladders to get a better view.
Another video that gained traction showed a man allegedly attempting to hold the hand of Hanni, one of the group members. Despite being told by staff that touching wasn't permitted, the man reportedly continued his actions. This video alone garnered over 1.4 million views, leading to a flurry of comments from concerned fans and netizens.
The online community had mixed reactions. While many expressed their concern for the safety and comfort of the young idols, others argued against age-based discrimination. Some netizens believed that as long as the attendees followed the rules and didn't make the idols uncomfortable, their age shouldn't be a factor.
However, the debate took another turn when a Twitter user, @hyevuitton, shared a different perspective. The user posted a clip from another NewJeans' fansign event, highlighting the presence of fangirls. The tweet emphasized that NewJeans might be the first K-pop group without a "specific" demographic, suggesting that their appeal is universal.
The fansign event was part of the promotional activities for NewJeans' "Get Up" album. Those who purchased the "Get Up" Bunny Beach Bag version or THE POWERPUFF GIRLS X NJ Box version were eligible for the event, with winners announced on August 10.
As the debate continues, it underscores the broader issues of age, fandom, and the boundaries of fan-idol interactions in the world of K-pop.
