What is driving fans of China’s elite athletes crazier than those who idolise entertainment stars?

PSYCHE OF FANS

To understand the psyche of fan mobs, CNA spoke to a former ardent fan of a Chinese singer-songwriter.

She asked to be known only as Xiao J, because she fears some fans can get “quite sensitive about certain comments regarding their idols”.

In the past, she did her fair share of going head over heels over her idol.

“My monthly salary was probably around 6,000 or 7,000 yuan (US$850 to US$990), and just one concert could cost over 5,000 yuan for a ticket alone. Plus, if the concert wasn’t held in Shanghai, I’d also need to pay for round-trip flights to that city, hotel and meals,” she revealed.

“Overall, the total costs of attending a concert could easily exceed my entire monthly salary.”

Counsellor Hu Miao Miao, founder of Wan Xin Psychology Centre in Shanghai, said he has encountered far worse situations.

Dr Hu once had a nurse as a client who chalked up 500,000 yuan of debt chasing after her idol. He was called to help after debtors began showing up at the hospital where she worked.

He pointed out that fans are seeking a sense of belonging, while organised fan groups are driven by commercial interests.

“When the emotional drive of fans meets commercial forces, the end result is explosive,” he added.