'Taken for granted': When K-pop stars lose devoted supporters

The Korea Times - Nov 9, 2026

Longtime fans who have supported their favorite artists unwaveringly are increasingly choosing to walk away. A major fan page dedicated to T.O.P has announced its closure after 20 years, followed by a fan page for singer Heo Young-saeng, which said it would end 16 years of activity. Notably, both departures involved complaints about a lack of communication and respect. A major fan page that had been active since T.O.P's debut in 2006 recently announced that it would shut down. Its operators said they had effectively taken on responsibilities that should have been handled by the artist's agency, serving as a practical liaison between the company and fans through album promotions and fan communications. They expressed disappointment with both the agency and T.O.P, alleging that the company repeatedly failed to communicate and shifted its responsibilities onto the fan page, while taking fans' dedication for granted. The fan page also addressed the cancellation of a photo exhibition it had planned to organize, citing budget constraints and a low number of reservations. While some speculate

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