K-pop star Karina said sorry on Instagram for dating actor Lee Jae-wook. This surprised people who aren’t into K-pop, but it shows how intense fans can be. These fans do a lot to support their favorite stars, like listening to their music all the time, voting for them, and even paying for ads. But when they found out about Karina’s relationship, some fans got mad and even drove a truck to her agency to show their anger.

In other parts of the world, people usually celebrate when celebrities date. But in K-pop, things are different. Fans feel like they have a special connection with the idols, even though it’s one-sided. They spend a lot of time, energy, and money on them. The industry encourages this by making fans buy stuff, and that makes them want more in return, sometimes even making threats.

K-pop agencies make apps that let fans see into the idols’ lives. Fans also help promote their idols by listening to their music, voting for them, and sharing schedules. Big fan groups work together to follow the rules and make sure their idols do well. But being such a big fan takes a lot of time and money.

Some idols feel like they have to make their fans happy because their careers are short. Most K-pop groups only last a few years, so idols have to keep a good image and show they’re dedicated to their music. But as K-pop gets more popular around the world, things might change. Many international fans were mad at Karina’s apology, so hopefully fans will become more supportive and open-minded in the future.

In the end, K-pop is all about super fans who do a lot for their idols. But sometimes, when idols’ private lives come out, fans can react badly. As K-pop gets bigger, we hope fans will be more supportive and open-minded.

Original news source: How jealous K-pop super fans try to dictate their idols’ private lives (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Instruct each group to read the article and then summarize the main points in a news report format. They should include the key details and events from the article in their summary. After they have finished, have each group present their news summary to the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Ask the students to form a circle. Pose a series of questions related to the topic of intense fandom and idols’ private lives in K-pop. For example, “Do you think fans have the right to be upset about idols dating?” or “Should idols have to apologize for having relationships?” Have each student take turns sharing their opinion and explain their reasoning. Encourage respectful and open-minded discussion among the students.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Prepare a list of vocabulary words from the article (e.g. K-pop, idols, fandom, private lives, etc.). Divide the class into small groups or pairs. Give each group a set of vocabulary words and ask them to take turns choosing a word and drawing a picture to represent it. The other group members must guess the word based on the drawing. This activity helps students practice vocabulary recall and visual representation.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. Assign one group to list the pros of intense fandom and the other group to list the cons. Give the students some time to brainstorm and write down their ideas. Then, have each group share their list with the class and facilitate a discussion where students can present their arguments and counterarguments. Encourage students to consider different perspectives and opinions.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask the students to imagine how the intense fandom culture in K-pop might change in the future. Will fans become more supportive and open-minded? Will idols have more freedom in their personal lives? Will the industry change its practices? Have the students write down their predictions individually and then discuss their ideas in pairs or small groups. Encourage them to support their predictions with reasons and evidence from the article.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Why did Karina apologize on Instagram?
2. How do K-pop fans show their support for their favorite stars?
3. Why were some fans angry when they found out about Karina’s relationship?
4. How do K-pop agencies encourage fans to support their idols?
5. What are some ways that fans help promote their idols?
6. Why do some idols feel like they have to make their fans happy?
7. Why might K-pop fans in other parts of the world react differently to celebrities dating?
8. What do we hope will happen as K-pop becomes more popular globally?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

K-pop star Karina said sorry on Instagram for dating actor Lee Jae-wook. This (1)______ people who aren’t into K-pop, but it shows how (2)______ fans can be. These fans do a lot to support their favorite stars, like listening to their music all the time, voting for them, and even paying for ads. But when they found out about Karina’s relationship, some fans got mad and even drove a truck to her (3)______ to show their (4)______.

In other parts of the world, people usually celebrate when celebrities date. But in K-pop, things are (5)______. Fans feel like they have a special connection with the (6)______, even though it’s one-sided. They spend a lot of time, energy, and money on them. The industry encourages this by making fans buy (7)______, and that makes them want more in return, sometimes even making threats.

K-pop (8)______ make apps that let fans see into the idols’ lives. Fans also help promote their idols by (9)______ to their music, voting for them, and sharing schedules. Big fan (10)______ work together to follow the rules and make sure their idols do well. But being such a big fan (11)______ a lot of time and money.

Some idols feel like they have to make their fans happy because their (12)______ are short. Most K-pop groups only last a few years, so idols have to keep a good image and show they’re dedicated to their music. But as K-pop gets more (13)______ around the world, things might change. Many international fans were mad at Karina’s apology, so hopefully fans will become more supportive and open-minded in the future.

In the end, K-pop is all about super fans who do a lot for their idols. But sometimes, when idols’ private (14)______ come out, fans can (15)______ badly. As K-pop gets (16)______, we hope fans will be more supportive and open-minded.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is a K-pop star?
2. How do K-pop fans show their support for their favorite stars?
3. Do you think it’s fair for fans to get mad when a K-pop star starts dating someone?
4. How would you feel if you were a K-pop star and your fans got angry about your relationship?
5. Why do you think fans feel like they have a special connection with K-pop idols?
6. Do you like K-pop music? Why or why not?
7. What do K-pop agencies do to encourage fans to support their idols?
8. How do fans help promote their favorite K-pop idols?
9. Why do you think being a big fan of a K-pop group takes a lot of time and money?
10. How do you think K-pop idols feel about making their fans happy?
11. Do you think it’s fair that K-pop idols have to keep a good image and show dedication to their music?
12. How do you think K-pop becoming more popular around the world might change things for idols and their fans?
13. Why do you think international fans were mad at Karina’s apology?
14. How do you think fans can become more supportive and open-minded in the future?
15. What do you think is the most important aspect of being a K-pop fan?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. intense
2. celebrities
3. relationship
4. celebrate
5. connection
6. industry
7. threats
8. promote
9. schedules
10. dedicated
11. international
12. supportive
13. open-minded
14. private
15. react

Meanings:
(A) To show happiness for an event or achievement with actions like parties or gatherings
(B) The way two people are connected, especially in a romantic way
(C) A feeling of being closely linked or having a bond with someone or something
(D) Willing to consider or accept new ideas and opinions
(E) Famous people, especially in entertainment or sports
(F) Showing a lot of commitment or loyalty to a cause or activity
(G) A sector of the economy that produces goods or services
(H) Plans that list when events or activities are supposed to happen
(I) To help something or someone become more known or popular
(J) From or relating to countries other than one’s own
(K) Personal and not meant for the public’s eyes or knowledge
(L) Offering help and encouragement
(M) To show a response or reaction to something, especially in a noticeable way
(N) Very strong or extreme
(O) Statements or actions meant to cause fear or harm
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Why did Karina apologize on Instagram?
(a) She wanted to surprise her fans
(b) She was dating actor Lee Jae-wook
(c) She wanted attention from her fans
(d) She was angry at her fans

2. How do K-pop fans support their favorite stars?
(a) By buying expensive gifts for them
(b) By criticizing them on social media
(c) By listening to their music, voting for them, and paying for ads
(d) By ignoring them completely

3. Why do K-pop fans feel a special connection with idols?
(a) They have personal relationships with the idols
(b) They are related to the idols
(c) They spend a lot of time, energy, and money on them
(d) They are paid to support the idols

4. What do K-pop agencies make for fans?
(a) Apps that let fans control the idols’ lives
(b) Apps that let fans ignore the idols’ lives
(c) Apps that let fans become idols themselves
(d) Apps that let fans see into the idols’ lives

5. Why do idols feel like they have to make their fans happy?
(a) Their careers are short and they need to maintain a good image
(b) They don’t care about their fans’ happiness
(c) They want to make their fans angry
(d) They want to quit the K-pop industry

6. How do international fans feel about Karina’s apology?
(a) Many were mad at her apology
(b) Many were happy with her apology
(c) Many were confused by her apology
(d) Many were indifferent to her apology

7. What does the article hope for in the future?
(a) That fans will become more angry and closed-minded
(b) That fans will become more supportive and open-minded
(c) That fans will stop supporting K-pop idols
(d) That fans will become more obsessed with K-pop idols

8. What is the main theme of this article?
(a) The short careers of K-pop idols
(b) The lack of support from international fans
(c) The future of K-pop
(d) The intense fandom and reactions in the K-pop industry

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. K-pop agencies create apps that prevent fans from seeing into the lives of their idols.
2. Being a big fan of K-pop requires a lot of time and money.
3. K-pop star Karina apologized on Instagram for dating actor Lee Jae-wook.
4. Fans feel a special disconnection with K-pop idols, even though it’s two-sided.
5. Many international fans were upset with Karina’s apology, and it is hoped that fans will become more supportive and open-minded in the future.
6. In other parts of the world, people usually criticize when celebrities date, but in K-pop, it’s different.
7. K-pop fans show their disdain by not listening to their favorite stars’ music, not voting for them, and refusing to pay for ads.
8. Some fans of K-pop stars can become very intense and upset when they find out about their favorite idols dating.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. Why did some fans get angry when they found out about Karina’s relationship?
2. How do K-pop fans show their support for their favorite idols?
3. Why do K-pop agencies encourage fans to buy things?
4. Why do some idols feel like they have to make their fans happy?
5. What do we hope will happen as K-pop becomes more popular around the world?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Why did Karina apologize on Instagram?
Karina apologized on Instagram because she was dating actor Lee Jae-wook, which made some of her fans angry.

2. How do K-pop fans show their support for their favorite stars?
K-pop fans show their support by listening to their music, voting for them, and even paying for ads. They also spend a lot of time and money on their favorite idols.

3. Why were some fans angry when they found out about Karina’s relationship?
Some fans were angry because they felt like they had a special connection with Karina and were upset that she was dating someone else. They may have also felt betrayed or jealous.

4. How do K-pop agencies encourage fans to support their idols?
K-pop agencies encourage fans to support their idols by making them buy merchandise and creating apps that let fans see into the idols’ lives. They also rely on fans to promote their idols by listening to their music and sharing their schedules.

5. What are some ways that fans help promote their idols?
Fans help promote their idols by listening to their music, voting for them, and sharing their schedules on social media. They also work together in big fan groups to follow the rules and make sure their idols do well.

6. Why do some idols feel like they have to make their fans happy?
Some idols feel like they have to make their fans happy because their careers in K-pop are usually short. They need to maintain a good image and show their dedication to their music in order to stay popular and successful.

7. Why might K-pop fans in other parts of the world react differently to celebrities dating?
K-pop fans in other parts of the world might react differently to celebrities dating because in many cultures, it is seen as a positive thing for celebrities to have relationships. They may not have the same intense and one-sided connection with idols that K-pop fans have.

8. What do we hope will happen as K-pop becomes more popular globally?
As K-pop becomes more popular globally, we hope that fans will become more supportive and open-minded. We hope that they will understand that idols have their own personal lives and deserve to be happy, even if it means dating someone outside of their fan base.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) surprised
(2) intense
(3) agency
(4) anger
(5) different
(6) idols
(7) stuff
(8) agencies
(9) listening
(10) groups
(11) takes
(12) careers
(13) popular
(14) lives
(15) react
(16) bigger
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. intense
Answer: (N) Very strong or extreme

2. celebrities
Answer: (E) Famous people, especially in entertainment or sports

3. relationship
Answer: (B) The way two people are connected, especially in a romantic way

4. celebrate
Answer: (A) To show happiness for an event or achievement with actions like parties or gatherings

5. connection
Answer: (C) A feeling of being closely linked or having a bond with someone or something

6. industry
Answer: (G) A sector of the economy that produces goods or services

7. threats
Answer: (O) Statements or actions meant to cause fear or harm

8. promote
Answer: (I) To help something or someone become more known or popular

9. schedules
Answer: (H) Plans that list when events or activities are supposed to happen

10. dedicated
Answer: (F) Showing a lot of commitment or loyalty to a cause or activity

11. international
Answer: (J) From or relating to countries other than one’s own

12. supportive
Answer: (L) Offering help and encouragement

13. open-minded
Answer: (D) Willing to consider or accept new ideas and opinions

14. private
Answer: (K) Personal and not meant for the public’s eyes or knowledge

15. react
Answer: (M) To show a response or reaction to something, especially in a noticeable way
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Why did Karina apologize on Instagram?
Answer: (b) She was dating actor Lee Jae-wook

2. How do K-pop fans support their favorite stars?
Answer: (c) By listening to their music, voting for them, and paying for ads

3. Why do K-pop fans feel a special connection with idols?
Answer: (c) They spend a lot of time, energy, and money on them

4. What do K-pop agencies make for fans?
Answer: (d) Apps that let fans see into the idols’ lives

5. Why do idols feel like they have to make their fans happy?
Answer: (a) Their careers are short and they need to maintain a good image

6. How do international fans feel about Karina’s apology?
Answer: (a) Many were mad at her apology

7. What does the article hope for in the future?
Answer: (b) That fans will become more supportive and open-minded

8. What is the main theme of this article?
Answer: (d) The intense fandom and reactions in the K-pop industry
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. K-pop agencies create apps that prevent fans from seeing into the lives of their idols. (Answer: False)
2. Being a big fan of K-pop requires a lot of time and money. (Answer: True)
3. K-pop star Karina apologized on Instagram for dating actor Lee Jae-wook. (Answer: True)
4. Fans feel a special disconnection with K-pop idols, even though it’s two-sided. (Answer: False)
5. Many international fans were upset with Karina’s apology, and it is hoped that fans will become more supportive and open-minded in the future. (Answer: True)
6. In other parts of the world, people usually criticize when celebrities date, but in K-pop, it’s different. (Answer: False)
7. K-pop fans show their disdain by not listening to their favorite stars’ music, not voting for them, and refusing to pay for ads. (Answer: False)
8. Some fans of K-pop stars can become very intense and upset when they find out about their favorite idols dating. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧