Disclaimer: The advice offered is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. This advice is not intended to replace or substitute for any professional, financial, medical, legal, or other professional advice. If you have specific concerns or a situation in which you require professional, psychological, or medical help, you should consult with an appropriately trained and qualified specialist.
If you are a student at Glasgow Middle School, please contact your counselor for any serious issues or challenges: GMS Student Services Website.

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April 21, 2021

Dear Riley,

I like listening to K-pop music (Korean pop). It’s something that means a lot to me, and it’s helped me a lot during quarantine, with my mental health and self-esteem. The group that got me into K-pop has very uplifting messages of loving yourself before anyone else, and it’s something that I’ve needed to hear for a long time. The majority of my friends and family sort of ignore it most days. There are times, however, when people belittle me for enjoying it or see me differently when I tell them it’s something I like. One friend, in particular (we’ll call her Lola) doesn’t like when I bring it up. My profile picture on Blackboard Collaborate Ultra is a member of a K-pop group, and whenever Lola sees it during school, she always says something about it. More often than not, it is negative, whether it’s about their looks or their music. I know she doesn’t intend to hurt my feelings, but it’s degrading for my interests to be disregarded. I’m always worried that I’ll seem like a crazed fangirl, so to everyone except my closest friend, I try to tone down how much I love K-pop. Do you have any advice on how I could be more open about what I like and how much it means to me?

From,

Not a Koreaboo

Dear Not a Koreaboo,

Well, sometimes friends don’t read the room and realize they’re hurting your feelings. Still, that’s not cool of Lola, she needs to chill! You need to talk to her about that and tell her why you love it. Maybe if she sees how important it is to you, she’ll be nicer about it. 

There’s no shame in liking K – Pop, especially if that’s what has helped you through this crazy, twisty, turny time, then keep listening to it, it’s no big deal! As someone who’s also been into K-pop before, I 100% understand how you feel. I mean what’s the big deal? It’s literally just music in a different language, there’s no reason to hate on it just because of that. Don’t tell anyone, but I’ve been super into iCarly lately… people judge me for it, but it is such a GOOD SHOW. Seddie forever. It doesn’t deserve the hate it gets. Anyway, what I’m saying is that you love what you love and if that’s what you like, everyone needs to respect that. If your friend can’t, even after you talked to her about how she’s making you feel uncomfortable, she may not be the friend you need right now. 

Now, don’t go to an extreme level to the point where a bunch of drama gets started and tears and hair are being pulled out, but talk it out and see what happens.  

Good luck fellow fan, hope this helps and now, I’m going to binge the second season of iCarly… (Let me know in the comments what you’re amusingly obsessed with this year.)

Until I re-emerge from under my rock,

Riley