How Changing Biases Shapes Our Icons: A Personal Journey Through Groups
Admitting to having biases in the groups I stan may seem a bit embarrassing, but it's part of the journey in understanding and growing with the artists I adore. As a K-pop aficionado, I've experienced several shifts in my preferences, and I'm here to share my personal journey with these groups. My perspective has changed, often influenced by the new members who caught my attention and gradually won my heart.
Biases in BTS: From Ugly to Ultimate
Let’s start with BTS, my favorite boy group.
My first encounter with BTS was in 2014-2015, a time when the group consisted of seven members, but their presence wasn't significant in the Korean music scene. Back then, I thought they looked rather unattractive. As years passed, I revisited them in 2017, with a different perspective.
BTS’s RM seemed cool with his swag and cool vibe, while Jin and Jimin were the 'twin' lookalikes. Suga looked intriguing, and J-Hope was just okay. But when it came to Jimin and V, my initial reactions were less than stellar. However, it was the charming and loving personality of Jungkook that first captured my heart.
For a long time, Jungkook was my primary bias in BTS. His voice, innocent charm, and lovable personality made him the initial focus. Yet, it was during a spontaneous exploration of covers that I discovered the unique voice of Jungkook’s songwriting partner, Taehyung (V).
The realization that this was the same person I initially labeled as 'scary' and 'ugly' was a turning point. His powerful, emotive voice in 'Someone Like You' prompted me to dive deeper into the group, learning about the rest of the members and giving them a fair chance to win my admiration.
Loona: From Lone to Orbit
My journey with Loona, one of my top girl groups, follows a similar trajectory.
Discovering Loona was part of the “sTaN lOonA” trend, and I was initially curious but didn’t engage much. I first visited Loona's channel after hearing their song ‘Love Letter’ in an edit. It was Jinsoul’s beauty that initially peaked my interest, but it was Heejin’s charm in her video that drew me in deeper.
As I delved further into their world, I gradually transitioned from solo-stanning Heejin to becoming an Orbit. Eventually, I became infatuated with Chuuh’s sweet, cute, and energetic personality, which made her a permanent bias.
Transitioning from solo-stanning to becoming a full Orbit wasn’t an easy task, but the members of Loona won my heart, making me appreciate their personalities and strengths. Along the way, I explored Izone and Red Velvet, further enriching my K-pop experience.
My bias fluctuation with Izone is quite interesting. Nako was my first bias, followed by Wonyoung, Sakura, Yena, and currently Chaewon. Each member had a unique appeal and alignment with my personality, eventually leading me to my current favorite: Chaewon.
Why Biases Change
The reason behind these bias changes is multifaceted. Often, it's the new members who catch my eye and introject a new perspective. A pivotal moment might be a song they sing, a behavior they exhibit, or a performance that simply speaks to me on a personal level. This positive energy and relatable traits draw me in, making me want to understand and support them more.
While there isn’t a specific formula for it, the evolution of my biases reflects a deeper connection and understanding of the artists. It’s a journey of growth, reflecting the changing phases of my life and the evolving characteristics I appreciate in them.
There’s no specific reason in my part, but I hope you enjoy this journey of biases in K-pop groups and the reasons behind their transformations.