I’m not sure how most people feel, but send off, especially with really popular groups, looks kinda awful for idols and fans alike. Screaming through multiple rows of people who are also trying to get one tired person’s attention quickly (sometimes in a language they only somewhat understand) is really overwhelming. It’s basically an interaction frenzy and fan behavior is uncomfortable and draining.
I’m aware that it’s a choice to buy it and it depends on your finances, but it feels very “here, damn” of these companies and tour promoters to charge fans so much for this and some other okay-ish perks when the highest tier of VIP isn’t actually guaranteed any interaction or a signature because of how send off can be structured. It’s natural for fans to want to curate their own positive experience with their favorite artists, but I truly do think the price and the chaos are adding extra unnecessary fuel to the desperation to be memorable.
I’ve been watching clips of send off from the current Ateez tour and some of the interactions just feel a little odd, for lack of a better word. While I personally find it a little awkward when people try to recreate viral moments that have already been done to death at other stops or try too hard to set them up to say specific meme-able things, it’s harmless in comparison to people who are outright disrespectful to the members’ faces for their own “moment.”
Is it not weird that people have admitted to putting themselves in debt to be there only to yell something incredibly embarrassing and unfunny things for attention then get met with an understandable side-eye or ignored? Weird (and entitled) people will be weird anywhere, but I suspect that if this were hi-touch or a fansign where the experience is more equal and there are more restrictions on how to engage with the idols, there would be less anxiety around getting these interactions.
I’m honestly disappointed that send off is becoming the norm, but I’m sure nobody will not stop buying it regardless of what it costs.
submitted by /u/starbrightblossom
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