I've been reading a bit of idol manwhas/gas/huas and novels as of late and it made me realise just how much I didn't like about idol culture in general.
In terms of music, I find idols to be one of the most predatory to its fans and idols respectively. The idols have to do everything in a very specific and certain way to please fans, which isn't inherently wrong, it's basically part their job to do so, but I never got why fans reactions are always so strong when idols don't 'act like themselves' because all I ever see is an act, most idols personalities and images are for the fans, of course not everything about them is 'fake' but they're definitely not genuine more often than imo. I find there is also a lot of purity bias when it comes to this (no tattoos, no lover, etc) that seems like it's cultivating the parasocial behavior from fans. (Kinda like one of those harem mc's with a blank personality so you could insert yourself into the story, except your meant to insert your dream view into your fav idol following a specific trope you like.)
Said idols are run by toxic company tm who wants to pump out more of their idol moneymakers to these fans, and also keep wanting their idols to start off younger and younger and younger for that longevity buff. What I hate about this the most is how people who are probably freshly teens now are getting exposed to such a toxic environment with the fanbase and whatever company they are in, and also the sexualisation that happens as soon as they reach of age.
I always felt that it was weird you basically watched this kid grow and then are quick to sexualise them the moment they reach the 'legally right' age. Of course I'm not saying all idol fans or companies do this, I am being pretty specific when I say this.
Meanwhile the idols also use their image to bring in fans to make the company and themselves money, and to also please fans (and their passions as well but who knows) the fans eat it up, but then also turn around and spew the most god awful things to other idols, idol communities or idols who 'betrayed' them when it was something mild like they were talking to the opposite gender that happens to be their colleague. It's a situation where all sides have their faults (though the head of it is obviously the people who run the idols aka the companies)
Also I realised just how many companies sell merch like your gambling, multiple album versions, where sometimes the only difference is a different cover, photocards that come at random so you may not even get something you want and usually don't even come separately at first, or are only resaled at ridiculous prices. I'm not well educated in this specific aspect though as I never really interacted with idol merch but this is what I heard from some idol fans acquaintances and other small sources.
I just never got it, maybe it's because I take things from a business standpoint and view entertainers as simply doing another type of job, also, I usually care for the art more than the artist when it comes to music, but I never got the hype and fancore. Honestly, the only idols I have ever somewhat actively followed (irl) was babymetal. I'm a band fan through and through, and ig you can argue it isn't all that different from idol fanbases, but I have my problems with that community as well.
I do see the appeal and joy in following and supporting idols though, for me, it's when idol groups explore different main themes/aesthetics such as perhaps an idol group with a yamikawaii aesthetic, or a group whose main theme is 'love and truth' for examples. I also do like seeing idols change their outfits and hair colours to match their current album, songs or theme and the main part, the music, in which I have a few I like myself, I can always appreciate a well produced and loved song, matched with a nice mv/dance choreography, so don't take all of this as me saying I hate everything about idols.
To idol fans, feel free to share your favourite idol groups, songs, idols, etc and share your own thoughts, this post isn't meant to attack anyone btw, more so just expressing an opinion.
This is probably not clear whatsoever and has multiple errors but I genuinely have so much to do at the moment and typing this out is taking to long.
Tl;dr I don't like idol ->culture<- no I don't mean to be derogatory when I write this post, no I don't mean people can't like idols, no I don't mean all idols should go kts, and no, I don't mean it is entirely the fans or idols fault.
