Schema Magazine

Photo courtesy of fanpop.com

Last Friday, Korean superstar Kim Hyun-joong high-fived all 3000 thousand fans who attended his concert in Singapore. Kim began his 2012 Asia Fan Meeting Tour and the island nation was his first stop. Other stops include Hong Kong, Taiwan, China and Thailand. This is a major event for Singapore: No pop star who has performed there has ever attempted to make contact with each fan personally.

According to concert organizer Running Into The Sun, Kim was supposed to high-five 500 fans randomly chosen from the audience to promote his tour and show his appreciation of his fans. However, he personally insisted on greeting each fan. Kim waited for his fans at the exit and told the Associated Press before the show that he had no security concerns. He is planning to do the same in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Although he is now embarking on his solo tour to promote his 2011 album, Kim skyrocketed to fame in South Korea as the leader of the boy band SS501. His fame in Asia has continued to rise with the Korean TV drama Boys Over Flowers. He is not only an actor and singer, but also a style icon. Kim has won several awards in South Korea for his fashion sense.

It's great that Kim is trying to get in touch with his fans and show his genuine appreciation for them. Celebrities are often disconnected from their supporters, and from the world in general. Our society places them on pedestals; turning them into idols instead of recognizing them for the human beings they are. Some of them take this to heart and become caricatures of their famous selves, forgetting who they were before fame. I am glad that a star can remember that without their fans, they wouldn't be where they are today.

***
Kait Bolongaro loves to write about cultures and how people occupy them. She aspires to be a culture journalist and photographer and to continue to discover new lands and adventures, starting with a Masters of Journalism in Denmark in the fall. To follow her on her crazy journeys, check out her blog or on twitter.