A Kpop Amino and Kdrama Amino experience and what I learned about online communities

Hello, everyone!

Today's post falls, most likely, into the "Blow off some steam" category so, I do hope you'll bear with me and read until the end. I wonder if this has ever happened to you. Did you ever have the kind of experience I will be talking about or is it just my odd self acting up?

I was, until a little while ago, an avid user of two apps I thought the world of and a member of the two communities those apps were made for.

These apps are still nice and I recommend them to anyone who wants to get to know more about kpop and kdrama, share and meet new people who like the same things (if not being able to delete your account, should you choose to do so, isn't a problem for you as it was for me. but, about this, in another post).
My disappointment isn't entirely with the apps themselves or even their creators but with some of the members/users of those apps (members of those communities).

I know that this may look like the ostrich's head in the sand or hiding in my own bubble kind of attitude. But, this being one of my hobbies, this incident (or series of incidents) was something that made me rethink my attitude regarding some matters.
For me kpop and kdrama (anime, manga jdramas and so on) were a thing I had almost alone while growing up.

They were a hobby that I only shared with one other person (the other people we tried converting weren't impressed) and when that person got bored of this hobby, I was suddenly alone in it all. I wasn't as sad or bothered as I thought I'd be since I had my own likes and dislikes already formed. So, seeing this person leave our small world was somehow ok and expected. 

Now, growing up further while listening and watching kpop and kdrama (among many others), I was for the most part, as I said, alone. It was my own little bubble, my own safe haven, my relaxation time and I was, normally, really happy when I came across others that shared my passions and discovering K-pop and kdrama amino was an exciting moment for me. 

Well, that bubble burst quicker than a soap balloon. 

At first I was slightly curious about some of the behaviour displayed by so many of the people who shared my interests(I'm not saying that this kind of attitude and behaviour is to be seen only on kpop and kdrama amino, by no means. It's everywhere and it's what led me to my final conclusion) and I even engaged in conversations which, at times, led to unwanted arguments (due to misunderstandings). 

I thought and hoped it was a fleeting sensation and, maybe, a misjudgement on my part.
Alas, it was not so. More and more people with similar characteristics appeared. I kept seeing more and more articles and conversations that were straying from the starting point and the real topic which was music/tv series (in this case kpop/kdrama).

Again, I'm not talking about everyone, because I did meet some wonderful people there and I was even glad to befriend some of them. I'm talking about those who are (usually, the loudest ones) in need of attention and recognition. Those people who would do everything to stay in the spotlight and, alongside them, those who had no real understanding of what music, TV series or movie discussions really meant and were always deviating from the subject in the hopes of finding something completely different. 

I became increasingly frustrated with certain things these people wrote and, due to the previously mentioned arguments, I stayed away from any type of conversation that could turn into a misunderstanding and, as such, another argument.
It became so that, these apps that were meant as a way to connect with others who shared my interests and hobbies, turned into a source of continuous frustration. 

What made me stop and rethink about my priorities was the moment I experienced a feeling I had a few years back when, after an imprisonment style like opera masterclass, I, for over one month, didn't want to hear any kind of opera music, nor did I want to sing or do anything related to it. 

Remembering, all of a sudden that feeling when, one evening, I scrolled angrily past some kpop song and saying "tsk, this shit again!", I stopped, amazed by myself.
What had made me this angry about that particular song and that particular group? It was a post I saw on kpop amino and I was growing ever so tired of seeing that kind of people talking like that, stripping the music of all its beauty and turning it into something so dirty, trash like, by picking on petty things and trying (successfully, I might add) to create drama. 

Now, the problem with drama and scandal is that it has a mirage like effect, a fascination that drags everyone in. Even though I did not participate due to, as previously mentioned, the fear or creating misunderstandings and arguments, I did read the article(s), because, the curiosity is always an enticing little mermaid. And, after all, that was the purpose of those apps and communities,  to share one's thoughts about a certain topic.

But for me, so many of those articles were filled with superficiality, misjudgement, desire to stand out and had nothing to do with the main thing.
I felt like I was dragged further down and deep into that whirl hole of moving sands. Even though I stayed still, didn't post anymore, didn't comment anymore, I'd still click that button, go in the apps and read the many articles people posted. It was becoming like a drug. I knew it wasn't good for me yet I'd want more. 

Maybe the fact that I put time and effort in writing some articles myself and building a reputation had a part in my not leaving those apps.
But all that was taking away (what's worse, it was all with my consent) one of my hobbies, one of the things that made me who I am today and I'm not sure I want to give it up just yet, if ever, to be honest.
I decided to leave those apps; no, those communities. For now I just hid the apps from my sight (the lingering thought of that wretched reputation and hours spent on writing is still alive for now). I will, most probably delete them soon. 

Maybe, most certainly, I'm not one made to share my hobbies with others in the form they want it to. Maybe the age gap is making its presence known. Maybe, growing up with these hobbies alone is what stops me from engaging in conversations, arguments or whatever else.
Maybe I like the darkness that surrounds my sunk head. Maybe I like the warmth of my bubble.

Of course there still are some very few people I share my hobbies with and with whom I chat often, but as far as being the member of a kpop pr kdrama community goes, I don't think it's my cup of tea. I wish it were, since I do like to share my thoughts and hear other people's impressions and ideas about certain topics but seeing as the outcome of it leads to more frustration than pleasant times, it is something I shall, for now, stay away from. 

Should I talk about some of the topics that made me walk away from these communities? Would you think they're something worth disccusing about? What are some of the things that you find bothersome and frustrating in the kpop and kdrama communities?

Keep smiling and have a wonderful day!