Comfort Idol
| Synonyms: | Emotional support idol, healing idol, support idol |
| See also: | Idol, Bias, Parasocial relationship |
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In K-pop fandom, a comfort idol is an idol that a fan finds emotionally soothing and turns to for a sense of happiness and calm, especially during difficult times. The idol's content, such as variety shows, vlogs, or livestreams, may cheer the fan up and provide a sense of emotional support. It became a common term in 2020.[1]
The phrase "comfort idol" originated from the concept of "comfort characters" in fandom spaces, referring to fictional characters that provide emotional comfort to fans.[2] However, when applied to real people such as idols, the term becomes more controversial.[3][4]
Controversy
The term "comfort idol" is particularly controversial due to its similarity to the term "comfort women," referring to the women and girls forced into sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Army before and during World War II. Many of these women were from Korea and other parts of Asia. As this remains a highly sensitive issue, Korean fans may find the term "comfort idol" inappropriate and offensive.[3][4]
It is used in some communities, but due to controversy, the term "comfort idol" is not widely used, with some fans criticizing it as dehumanizing towards idols. The phrase "comfort group" has also been used similarly.
Alternatives
Some alternative terms that carry a similar meaning without the negative connotations include:
- Healing idol
- Support idol
- Emotional support idol (though this is sometimes criticized as overly clinical or dehumanizing)
Parasocial Relationships
The concept of a "comfort idol" is closely connected to the concept of parasocial relationships, where fans develop one-sided emotional attachments to media figures. In the context of K-pop, fans may feel a strong sense of connection and affection towards their favorite idols, even though the relationship is not reciprocal.
Further Reading
- Why the term: "Comfort Idol" is Unacceptable by Barrowe (2020)
References
- ^ It was added to the Urban Dictionary in 2020. Various Reddit posts were made in 2020, suggesting a spike in the term
- ^ Comment by yasuhos. November 4, 2020 (Accessed 27 May 2024)
- ^ a b Barrowe, G. Why the term: "Comfort Idol" is Unacceptable December 24, 2020. (Accessed 27 May 2024)
- ^ a b lixmoon. can we stop using the "comfort idol/group" term November 4, 2020 (Accessed 27 May 2024)