I wanted to share what San from ATEEZ said during a recent live stream. Fans had mentioned that they were worried about the recent surge of hateful comments he’s been facing online since his dance move went viral. So he addressed it in the most honest, empathetic and San way possible.
His perspective was so grounded, wise, and deeply comforting that I wanted to share it here, because I think it will resonate with many of us who keep seeing so much negativity online.
Having done this for over 8 years, there isn’t actually anything that hurtful (nowadays). If I were asked to intentionally think of something deeply hurtful, I might feel bad but usually I just think, “Well, yeah, those kinds of things happen.” Because it (hate) is an emotion that everyone lives with and experiences…so I’m not that affected by it. So if you’re worried or feeling down because you think I’m struggling, it’s okay to set those worries aside.
Because from the moment I entered this entertainment industry, the fact that “if there are people who like you, there will also be people who hate or dislike you” is completely natural. I never thought even for a second that all 100 out of 100 people will like me. That’s impossible to begin with. Not only can’t I force it, but there are people in the world who just dislike others for no reason.
He accepts that he can’t control what people type behind screen names, and that is part of his job in the industry but he chooses where he focuses his energy, and accepting that reality probably brings immense freedom and peace.
But more than that, I choose to think positively. There are precious people around me, and people who love me, and I feel that is more than enough.
Also, there is something in this world called ‘karma.’ Karma exists, and it always comes around. Honestly, I don’t want to say bad things or wish ill on those folks because of it. Because (I understand that) hate too, is one of the emotions humans have. So what I mean is, it’s (understandable) for them to stay faithful to that emotion as it is.
San also pointed out the absurdity of people wasting their limited lives spreading toxicity online. But it takes a truly rare kind of emotional maturity to look at a wall of online hate, strip away the noise, and address it with zero hostility or bitterness.
You shouldn’t do it [slander]. Anonymity makes it easy, and maybe it entertains them. Everyone is an adult here, they know you shouldn’t do it, yet they do it anyway.
I mean, they are using their precious time, even using their time typing just to say bad things about someone else. How much of a waste is that?
I hope society gradually becomes a bit more mature. I’m not thinking about anything overly grand, I just hope the world becomes a bit more better. Of course, I am not a completely mature person yet either, but still, compared to them, isn’t that the case?
He remarked during that live that he hoped the world would be a bit more generous to Spider-Man too, (in BND, so adorable) and then ATINYs immediately turned the sentiment right back around on him and hoped that the world was kinder to San.
I’m doing fine. Everything’s fine even if they’re not kind. However, I would be grateful if they listened to ATEEZ songs at least once and then wrote something. Even if they’re not generous, just listen to ATEEZ songs once.
He finally ended it by saying,
Why speak ill of others? What matters more to me is that we, ATEEZ, do well. Why would I go out of my way to stand on the same playing field and do something like that (lower myself to that level)?
There is a fitting saying for this, “The stronger the light, the darker the shadow.” But a shadow can only cover one side of it.
Reminding us all that the end of the day, hate is just proof that someone is shining brightly enough to cast a shadow and that we can all choose to focus on the silver lining.
I do want to add that this level of grace and resilience didn’t come out of nowhere. Especially for San.
He’s constantly been facing all sorts of hate since he was a rookie. At one point in his career, the hate got so overwhelming that he literally had to ask his parents not to look up his name online. So I find San’s emotional intelligence, mental strength, and the way he chooses to navigate the world so remarkable.
His words are also such a comforting reminder that we don’t need to fight every battle or lower ourselves to toxic levels to protect the things we love and I hope it brings a little peace to anyone who’s been feeling heavy lately.
submitted by /u/atzbluebird
[link] [comments]
