Dear kfangurl: Is shipping kdrama co-stars normal?

You know, one of the things that I really enjoy about this blog, is how you guys inspire new types of posts, often when I least expect it. With your suggestions, this blog has taken on more breadth than I ever intended, and I think that’s cool.

First, it was the Dream Dramas post inspired by Lady G, and then it was the Pure Pretty series inspired by asotss.

Today, I’m kicking off yet another type of post on the blog, and it’s the Dear kfangurl.. post? Series? I don’t really know yet whether this will turn into an actual series, since that really depends on whether people have questions that they’d like to ask.

Basically, it’s sorta like an agony aunt sort of thing, except it’s more specific to dramas and fangirling (it’s my screen-name, isn’t it? It makes me seem like a fangirling expert, eh?). I do have a nephew, so I’m technically an aunt, but I prefer to think of this as an agony unni column instead of an agony aunt one, heh.

I may not have all the answers that you’re looking for, but I can promise a listening ear and sharing of my thoughts and experiences, much like how a friend might listen and chat with you over tea.

Yes, I *could* maybe-kinda-sorta look like Shin Min Ah. Possibly.

Today’s question – and post inspiration! – comes from crazyunnijo.

Here’s the part of Jo’s comment that sparked off this post:

The real reason I’m writing is this: Reel to Real Couples/shipping etc. I used to ship Park Shin Hye and Lee Min Ho like crazy. Now I am shipping Jung Yong-hwa and Park Shin Hye instead. I like their dynamic better.

That said, am I crazy? A friend of mine says it’s a by-product of being so new to K-dramas. It got me thinking of you and your blog. I immediately wanted to know what your thoughts are on shipping k-drama co-stars in general. At one point I thought to suggest that you create an advice column. My brain is not properly caffeinated… so I’ll do my best to explain. Perhaps something like a “Dear FGV, Is it normal for me to ship (insert couple here) enough to google them and get on forums that obsess over every. little. detail. So I need to get an actual life? Please help me.” :)

Dear Jo,

You’re not crazy. And you’re not alone either.

I personally don’t tend to ship kdrama co-stars, although I was momentarily rather thrilled by the potential pairing up of So Ji Sub and Gong Hyo Jin, thanks to mywebfoot’s very well-written Master’s Sun fan-fic, That Far Gone (series review here, and fan-fic review here). After reading it, my imagination was definitely tickled, and I rather did want the two of them to date and live happily ever after in real life. I think that’s the closest I’ve ever gotten, to shipping kdrama co-stars.

That said, there are lots – really, lots – of fans who ship kdrama co-stars, and ardently too. And I know for a fact that they aren’t all kdrama newbies. Just take a look at the fan forum page for So Ji Sub and Gong Hyo Jin on Soompi (here). As I type this, the fan forum discussion, which is basically all about spazzing over their potential coupledom, stands at 951 pages. Yes, you read that right. Nine hundred and fifty one pages, and that number is probably gonna keep growing too, despite fairly recent confirmation that Gong Hyo Jin is dating Lee Jin Wook. The fans on the thread come from all over the world, from all walks of life, and range from kdrama newbies to kdrama veterans.

Which means that you are absolutely not alone. :)

It’s my philosophy that our inner fangirls don’t ever get old, and that’s why we have fangirls (& possibly fanboys too) of all ages in our midst, and we all spazz happily and blithely over our favorite actors and actresses. Several of my dramaverse friends have shared that hallyu has brought out their inner teenager. And I love that.

Since we’re all wired uniquely, our fangirl spazz and fantasies tend to vary widely. Some of us find ourselves shipping kdrama co-stars, while others simply fantasize about dating our favorite actors in real life. I personally fall into the second category – which is probably why I never had the inclination to ship my kdrama co-stars. I want the boys all to myself. HA.

It’s also my fangirl philosophy that we shouldn’t feel guilty about enjoying our fangirling. As long as it doesn’t hurt anyone, and it isn’t crippling your Real Life, I don’t see the harm in having some fangirl fun.

Of course, if it is crippling your Real Life, then I’d recommend some recalibration.

I’m not an extreme fangirl myself, and I like the moderation and balance it brings. The fact that I don’t go extremely crazy with the fangirling helps to maintain normalcy in my life, and the fact that I do fangirl at all helps to add some fun and spice to that very normalcy in my life. And that works for me.

Of course, it’s all relative. I mean, I have friends who consider the fact that I even have this blog an indication that I’m an extreme fangirl, heh.

Which means that the answer to your question “Am I crazy?” really depends on who you’re asking. If you asked people who don’t have a clue about kdramas, they probably would say that you just might be crazy.

Here in the dramaverse, though, I’m happy to inform you that you’re far from crazy. You’re just one of us, is all. You’re normal here, and you’re not alone here either.

I hope that helps!

Love! ❤

~kfangurl

POST-SCRIPT:

1. Dya have thoughts or advice for Jo? Share with us in the comments!

2. Do you have a question of your own? Drop me a comment on the Contact page, or send me an email!

3. It’s been an insanely intense week for me in Real Life, which is why I’m so behind on comments. I will get to all comments soon, I promise!