“Your Delulu Is Trulu” — Acting “Delusional” Over K-Pop Idols Actually Improves Life, According To Science
As with any form of fandom, the ideas of “celebrity worship” have often been looked at negatively. K-Pop fandoms, set up to foster the bond between idols and fans, often have been subjected to talk of parasocial relationships.
Parasocial relationships are relationships where a person feels much closer to another than they are. Usually, these are brought up in a negative context.
However, it is possible to have a healthy amount of “delulu” towards your favorite celebrity affect your life positively, according to science!
Dr. Nicola Thomas, a lecturer specializing in psychology in pop culture, has discussed being delusional for celebrities and K-Pop idols on several occasions.
While discussing celebrity loving, Thomas references a paper Media, celebrities, and fans (Chia & Poo, 2009), saying that for people who adore celebrity idols for entertainment or social purposes, this “delulu” can serve as a break from life’s stress.
Thomas elaborates on this, saying that while a stigma is attached to loving a celebrity, this points to evidence that being “delulu” can have a positive side.
For K-Pop specifically, she states that there are many positives to K-Pop “delulu.”
Being delulu for K-Pop gives fans a greater sense of meaning in their life and helps improve their life more generally.
— Dr. Nicola Thomas
For evidence, she cites another paper, Escapism and Motivation: Understanding K-Pop Fans Well-Being and Identity, saying that being part of the K-pop community provides commitments and attachments and gives fans a greater feeling of meaning and self.
Afraid of being too delusional? Thomas has a solution for that as well — her “optimal delulu zone” chart gives a visual example of where safe celebrity love can lie.
It seems being “delusional” can have a positive effect on your life as long as you don’t take it too far!
