Brain OF FANS
To understand the psyche of enthusiast crowds, CNA spoke to a previous fervent supporter of a Taiwanese singer-songwriter.
She requested to be referred to as Xiao J solely because she fears that some fans may become “quite sensitive” about certain remarks about their idols.
She frequently swooned over her hero in the past, which was admirable.
” My monthly salary was probably around 6, 000 or 7, 000 yuan ( US$ 850 to US$ 990 ), and just one concert could cost over 5, 000 yuan for a ticket alone. Plus, if the music was n’t held in Shanghai, I’d also need to spend for round-trip flights to that area, hotel and foods”, she revealed.
” Total, the total expenses of attending a concert could easily be higher than my whole monthly income.”
Counsellor Hu Miao Miao, chairman of Wan Xin Psychology Centre in Shanghai, said he has encountered much worse circumstances.
Dr. Hu once had a nurse who was a client who was chasing after her hero and owed 500, 000 yuan. After lenders started showing up at the hospital where she worked, he was called in to assist.
He noted that organized fan teams are motivated by corporate interests, while enthusiasts are looking for a sense of belonging.
” When the mental pull of supporters meets professional troops, the end result is explosive”, he added.