The joy of not worshipping celebrities

Ten years ago, I used to ask celebrities for pictures. Whenever I spotted a familiar face on the streets of Seoul or New York, my heart would start racing because I immediately imagined taking a selfie with that person. With a bright smile, “Can I have a picture with you?” was my go-to question. After seizing the picture, I would message it to friends or share it on Facebook and wait all day for comments from others.

When I got the photo, I talked about meeting these K-pop stars or Hollywood actors as if they were my real friends. A hollow satisfaction came after bragging that I was associated with these famous people. I made fun of those who believed in cults, but I definitely sounded like one of them when I talked in detail about the glorious moment the celebrity would never remember.

I stopped worshipping celebrities. I don’t pay attention to what they say, wear, or advertise. I don’t read news about how they paid millions in cash to buy a fancy building in Seoul. I stay oblivious if they’re in relationships. I don’t care if they’re addicted to drugs or gambling. They’re not my friends. They don’t know me. They are only human. It’s impossible for a person to maintain real connections with millions, let alone thousands, of other people.

Celebrities are bound to disappoint their fans because they can’t meet all the expectations falsely imagined by the crowd. They get paid because of their royal status as the representatives of society. However, these stars are not saints who stay poor while devoting their lives to helping others in need. The biggest celebrities fly private jets while peddling tickets and T-shirts.

I appreciate the craftsmanship and artistry of many of these famous people. On the other hand, I don’t respect corporate-manufactured idols or ad-spitting influencers on social media. Fame and wealth are the perfect kindling for evil. Famous people are in perfect condition to be assholes to “commoners.” I’d rather look up to those who stay quiet about what they’ve done to take care of the people around them. The real heroes are not on TVs.