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Man Learns A Hard Lesson After Mocking His Girlfriend’s K-Pop Fandom, Gets Left Out In The Cold
Young woman looking upset under purple lighting, reflecting emotions related to fangirling over a K-Pop band.

BF Embarrasses GF In Front Of Friends By Criticizing How She Fangirls When Seeing K-Pop Idols

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We’ve all done something cringey when meeting our idols. Maybe you stuttered through a Taylor Swift meet-and-greet, or burst into tears shaking hands with your favorite actor. However, imagine your partner watching all of that unfold, then later mocking you in front of your friends.

Today’s Original Poster (OP) accompanied his girlfriend to a meet-and-greet with her K-pop idols, but ended up laughing at her for acting “too old” to fangirl over them. When the time rolled around for her to attend another concert, her response left him thinking she was being passive-aggressive.

More info: Reddit

RELATED:

    When it comes to things people truly care about, like music, sports, or pop culture fandoms, respect often matters more than humor

    Young woman looking upset after being mocked for fangirling over a K-Pop band in a public setting.

    Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    The author’s girlfriend won a radio contest to meet K-pop group NCT and invited him as her plus-one

    Text excerpt about a guy mocking his girlfriend publicly for fangirling over a K-pop band and her reaction to it.

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    Text conversation where guy mocks girlfriend for being a K-pop superfan, finding it annoying and harmless.

    Text excerpt describing a girl excited and nervous to meet a K-Pop band, highlighting fangirling emotions.

    Image credits: Used_Experience

    K-Pop band NCT DREAM dressed formally, seated at a panel table with microphones and water bottles on the floor.

    Image credits: NCT DREAM / YouTube (not the actual photo)

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    At the fan meet, she became emotional, cried, and bowed to the idols, while he felt embarrassed and detached

    Text excerpt showing a guy mocking his girlfriend’s excitement over meeting a K-Pop band and her reaction to it.

    Text excerpt about a girl fangirling over a K-Pop band and her boyfriend feeling embarrassed during the event.

    Text excerpt describing a guy not being a fan of a K-pop band while his girlfriend enjoys it, causing tension.

    Image credits: Used_Experience

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    K-pop band performing on stage with six members in casual outfits during a live concert event.

    Image credits: Yeimy Cifuentes / YouTube (not the actual photo)

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    Later, he joked about her behavior in front of her friends, causing tension and leaving her hurt and distant

    Text excerpt about a girl talking with friends who are K-pop fans and sharing her excitement about meeting her idols.

    Text excerpt describing a guy mocking his girlfriend for fangirling over a K-pop band and embarrassing her publicly.

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    Text on a white background reading complete silence, immediately everyone is death glaring at me, related to guy mocking girlfriend fangirling over a K-Pop band.

    Text message conversation showing a guy mocking his girlfriend for fangirling over a K-Pop band and her reaction.

    Image credits: Used_Experience

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    Young couple in a car, girl upset as guy mocks her for fangirling over a K-Pop band in a tense moment.

    Image credits: cottonbro studio / Pexels (not the actual photo)

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    A year later, she bought concert tickets for herself and a friend but excluded him, citing past embarrassment and his lack of support

    Couple arguing privately after guy mocks girlfriend publicly for fangirling over a K-pop band, causing tension.

    Text excerpt about a girlfriend buying expensive NCT tickets for a fan meet, highlighting K-pop fangirling.

    Text excerpt about a guy mentioning buying a ticket while his girlfriend expresses concern over embarrassment related to fangirling a K-pop band.

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    Text about a guy mocking his girlfriend’s teenage fangirl antics over a K-Pop band, causing conflict between them.

    Image credits: Used_Experience

    This left him wondering why she would make such a “passive-aggressive” decision over a “joke” that he made a year ago

    The OP shared that his girlfriend was over the moon when she won a chance to meet NCT, one of K-pop’s most popular boy groups. He tagged along as her plus-one, only to realize he was walking into a world he didn’t understand. She was shaking, crying, and bowing respectfully to the members, and while she was in awe, he was mortified.

    To him, it was childish, and he stayed silent during the meet-and-greet, barely acknowledging the NCT members. He left thinking the whole thing was nothing special, and later, when he was hanging out with his girlfriend and her friends, who were also fans, he couldn’t resist joking about her awkward behavior.

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    He laughed about her bowing and crying, saying the band probably made fun of her afterward. Instantly, there was silence and death stares because the girlfriend’s friends were not amused. She called him out, saying at least she interacted with the group, while he stood there like a statue. After that day, the OP noticed that his girlfriend rarely listened to K-pop around him again.

    One year later, she bought concert tickets to see the K-pop group again, which included another fan meet, but this time, she didn’t want him there. When he offered to tag along, she flatly said she’d rather he didn’t come, not wanting him to be “bored or embarrassed.” This then left him wondering if the girlfriend was being passive-aggressive or holding a grudge.

    Young man mocking girlfriend for fangirling over a K-pop band while she looks upset and avoids eye contact at home.

    Image credits: simonapilolla / Freepik (not the actual photo)

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    The OP’s story highlights a common aspect of fandom culture, which is deep emotional investment in idols. According to Meer, K-pop’s global popularity leaves room for fans to participate in concerts, fan meetings, signings, and even conventions. Many describe their connection to K-pop idols as deeply emotional, valuing joy and personal fulfillment over financial cost.

    Refinery29 then explains that these fan experiences can trigger intense psychological and physiological reactions. They note that seeing a favorite performer in person releases dopamine and serotonin, hormones linked to happiness, which can cause faster breathing, pupil dilation, lightheadedness, and even tears or fainting.

    This helps explain the OP’s girlfriend’s physical reactions, like crying and bowing, which were signs of genuine emotional overwhelm rather than over-the-top or “childish” behavior like the OP insisted it was. In fact, Verywell Mind emphasizes that mocking a partner’s passions can have harmful consequences for relationships.

    They explain that while playful teasing may strengthen bonds, ridicule about something meaningful can make a partner feel vulnerable, humiliated, exposed, and over time this erodes trust, lowers self-esteem, leads to loss of respect, increases conflict, and creates emotional distance.

    Netizens strongly sided with the girlfriend, agreeing that the OP’s behavior was hurtful and dismissive. They pointed out that what he called a “joke” was really an act of humiliation. Others emphasized that mocking something your partner loves is a major red flag and that he should have simply let her enjoy her passion instead of tearing her down.

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    What do you think about this situation? Would you go to a concert with your partner even if you didn’t like the band? We would love to know your thoughts!

    Netizens insisted the author was in the wrong for laughing at his girlfriend in the first place and that she had every right to exclude him from this concert

    Comment criticizing a guy mocking his girlfriend for fangirling over a K-Pop band, highlighting disrespect and belittling behavior.

    Comment criticizing a guy for mocking his girlfriend’s K-pop fangirling and the backlash he faced.

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    Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a guy mocking his girlfriend for fangirling over a K-pop band and her reaction.

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    Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing relationship issues with a partner mocking fangirling over a K-pop band.

    Comment criticizes guy for mocking girlfriend publicly over fangirling a K-pop band, highlighting her justified frustration.

    Reddit comment explaining why mocking a girlfriend for fangirling over a K-Pop band is wrong and hurtful.

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    Screenshot of a Reddit comment criticizing a guy for mocking his girlfriend fangirling over a K-pop band and causing conflict.

    Comment criticizing a guy for mocking his girlfriend publicly over fangirling a K-Pop band and her reaction.

    Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a guy mocking his girlfriend for fangirling over a K-Pop band and the resulting reaction.

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    Poll Question

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    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I'm a writer and bookworm (eyes glued to an e-book, more accurately) who happens to have a suspiciously deep knowledge about pop culture. When I'm not writing, I can most likely be found taking yet another online quiz to find out which soda matches my personality.

    Read less »
    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    I'm a writer and bookworm (eyes glued to an e-book, more accurately) who happens to have a suspiciously deep knowledge about pop culture. When I'm not writing, I can most likely be found taking yet another online quiz to find out which soda matches my personality.

    What do you think ?
    Rika
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why did she bring that AH instead of one of her friends ? More importantly, why are they still together a year later ? If my boyfriend did this, I'd ditch him on the spot. OP really sounds so rude on top of being a racist.

    Gebidozo
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    YTA, without a doubt. And that’s coming from someone who absolutely can’t stand the vast majority of K-Pop songs. I also dislike the whole concept of musicians being “idols”, and I’m saying it as a musician who’s seen his share of success. But this is your girlfriend, and this is what she likes. You were utterly arrogant and disrespectful, and you should be happy and grateful that she didn’t dump you altogether after that incident.

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    Katarzyna Drozd
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Omfg. You purposely ruined something that was one of the most happy and exciting events in her life, humiliated her, laughed at her, out of spite just because you are an insecure pathetic a.s.s.h.o.l.e. And you wonder why she doesn't want to invite you to the next event? Suggesting that she is passive-agressive and it was a joke??? Are you out of your mind? What is wrong with you? The only reason she does not want you there is because you are enormous s.c.u.m.b.a.g. A pathetic, insecure man-child who does not deserve her. I have no idea why anyone would want to be with someone like you. If she have any self-worth she will kick your pathetic a.s.s and end this relationship sooner or later

    Load More Comments
    Rika
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why did she bring that AH instead of one of her friends ? More importantly, why are they still together a year later ? If my boyfriend did this, I'd ditch him on the spot. OP really sounds so rude on top of being a racist.

    Gebidozo
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    YTA, without a doubt. And that’s coming from someone who absolutely can’t stand the vast majority of K-Pop songs. I also dislike the whole concept of musicians being “idols”, and I’m saying it as a musician who’s seen his share of success. But this is your girlfriend, and this is what she likes. You were utterly arrogant and disrespectful, and you should be happy and grateful that she didn’t dump you altogether after that incident.

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    Katarzyna Drozd
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Omfg. You purposely ruined something that was one of the most happy and exciting events in her life, humiliated her, laughed at her, out of spite just because you are an insecure pathetic a.s.s.h.o.l.e. And you wonder why she doesn't want to invite you to the next event? Suggesting that she is passive-agressive and it was a joke??? Are you out of your mind? What is wrong with you? The only reason she does not want you there is because you are enormous s.c.u.m.b.a.g. A pathetic, insecure man-child who does not deserve her. I have no idea why anyone would want to be with someone like you. If she have any self-worth she will kick your pathetic a.s.s and end this relationship sooner or later

    Load More Comments
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