When a K-pop MV drops, the fandom goes into full-on war mode: opening dozens of tabs, faking IPs, running playlists 24/7, and even using automated streaming software. The goal? As many views as possible.
But hold on—are fans unknowingly trapping themselves in a meaningless battle? Does streaming actually help idols succeed, or is it just an illusionary number that no one remembers?
1. The Origin of the Streaming Culture
The “view race” among K-pop fandoms didn’t appear out of nowhere. Back in the day, YouTube wasn’t a big deal—popularity was measured by album sales and digital chart rankings. But then…
💡 2012 – Gangnam Style: PSY became the first K-pop artist to hit 1 billion views, proving that YouTube was the new battlefield.
💡 2015 – The rise of BIGBANG, EXO, BTS: Fandoms started competing over views, turning every comeback into a war.
💡 2017 onward – The 100M race: From BTS to BLACKPINK, everyone wanted to break records, and streaming became a sacred duty.
In short, this culture wasn’t born naturally—it was shaped by entertainment companies, media, and the fandom itself.
2. Mastermind Streaming Strategies – When Fans Become Hackers
Want to hit 100 million views fast? It’s not just about watching—it’s about playing smart. K-pop fandoms have created an entire industry of streaming tactics:
✔ Multiple tabs/browsers: One device isn’t enough? Open 10 more.
✔ Fake IPs: Constantly switching VPNs to boost views from different countries.
✔ Clear cache & switch accounts: Watch, delete history, repeat.
✔ Smart playlists: Mixing MVs with other videos to avoid YouTube’s spam filter.
✔ Automated streaming: Some fans even use bots (violating YouTube’s policies).
It sounds intense, and it really is. Online, fans keep each other in check:
👩💻 “If you skip parts of the MV, you’re betraying us!”
📢 “Don’t forget to change WiFi—YouTube might remove fake views!”
At some point, listening to music stopped being fun and started feeling like… unpaid labor.
3. High Views = Hit Song?
So, does reaching 100M views automatically mean a song is a hit? Absolutely not!
⚡ Example 1: “Zimzalabim” (Red Velvet) hit 100M views but flopped in real life. Meanwhile, “Cupid” (Fifty Fifty) only had a few million views at first but dominated global charts thanks to organic virality.
⚡ Example 2: “Ditto” (NewJeans) topped the Billboard charts without intense streaming campaigns—just because it was that good.
Clearly, views aren’t everything. A song is truly successful when:
✅ The general public loves it and keeps listening.
✅ It becomes a trend on TikTok, Instagram, etc.
✅ It charts on major music rankings (Billboard, Melon, iTunes…).
If only fandoms are pushing the numbers, a song might hit 100M views, but no one will remember the melody.
4. Does Streaming Actually Help Idols?
The Positives:
- Creates media buzz, helping idols gain visibility.
- Showcases fandom power, leading to more resources for future comebacks.
- Puts pressure on entertainment companies to invest more in the group.
The Negatives:
- Consumes time, money, and effort—without guaranteed real benefits.
- YouTube is tightening its algorithm, devaluing excessive streaming.
- Entertainment companies exploit fandoms, encouraging views over genuine promotion.
Even some idols dislike extreme streaming. Artists like IU and NewJeans have stated that they prefer fans to enjoy their music naturally, not out of obligation.
A Joke or a Mission?
✔ If streaming is a way to support idols, then it’s a fandom mission.
❌ But if it’s just to prove one fandom is “better” than another, it becomes a pointless joke.
K-pop fandoms hold real power, but maybe it’s time to use it wisely—buying albums, streaming naturally, and promoting artists through genuine engagement instead of obsessive view-count battles.
At the end of the day, are you listening to enjoy music or just to hit KPI targets?
