Insight of a Kenyan Girl

The rise and evolution of technology brought with it social media and various platforms that revolutionized the way we connect, share, and create. But beneath that progress, a darker undercurrent took root—a place where monsters hide behind usernames and screens, armed with words more lethal than weapons. Anonymity became a shield for cruelty, and with it, the world watched the rise of a culture where tearing others down became entertainment.

But are these anonymous attackers truly cowards? Or are they products of a system that rewards judgment over compassion? A world where perfection is the price of popularity, and mistakes are met not with forgiveness, but with fire.

As someone who recently fell deeply into the world of Korean music—K-POP—I’ve found joy, healing, and inspiration in its melodies. I proudly call myself an EXO-L, because we are one. If you’ve ever listened to Byun Baekhyun’s voice, you know it. The passion, the talent—it’s unreal. And yes, he’s charming beyond belief, but his artistry? That’s the real magic.

Yet, for all the light that K-POP brings, there is a shadow that follows. Fan wars, obsessive sasaengs, anti-fans with keyboards as their weapons—they fill comment sections with poison. And it doesn’t stop at critique. They attack idols for loving, for aging, for simply existing outside of the boxes we’ve built for them.

The damage they inflict isn’t visible, but it’s deep. Deeper than we imagine. Some of the brightest stars in the entertainment industry have fought invisible wars—battling anxiety, isolation, depression—often behind smiles we took for granted. And in the cruelest of outcomes, some of them are no longer with us.

I once argued with my brother about online hate. He said he wouldn’t be fazed. That he’d brush it off. But that’s easy to say until your every breath is dissected. Until love becomes betrayal. Until your life no longer feels like your own.

South Korea’s entertainment industry is particularly vulnerable. Idols are raised to be perfect—flawless dolls for the world to admire. They’re not allowed to be human. And when they dare to live for themselves, when they date, marry, gain weight, or speak their truth, they are torn apart.

We forget: they are people. They cry. They bleed. They break.

I still remember Sulli—bold, fearless, radiant Sulli. She challenged norms. She spoke freely. And for that, she was punished. Her death was not just caused by hateful commenters. It was our silence. Our inaction. We loved her when it was too late.

Jonghyun. Goo Hara. Moonbin. Stars who gave the world everything, while asking for nothing but understanding. Their lights were beautiful. And now they’re gone.

We trended hashtags. We wrote eulogies in tweets. But where were we when they were alive and hurting?

What good are flowers on a grave when we ignored their cries for help?

When someone gains weight—so what? When they fall in love—celebrate it. When they stumble—support them. What doesn’t help are cruel jokes, vicious rumors, or entitlement disguised as fan loyalty.

Let this be our turning point. Let kindness trend. Let love flood comment sections.

Defend Chen for choosing happiness. Defend Jimin when he’s attacked for being himself. Defend all those who give us their art, their time, their hearts.

Because we do not own them. We were never meant to. We are here to support, not to possess.

Let us be the voice of love in a world that sometimes forgets how to be gentle.

To Sulli—you danced in the rain of our ignorance. I’m sorry we didn’t shield you. To Jonghyun—you told us you were hurting. We should have listened. To Goo Hara—your strength should have been celebrated, not scrutinized. To Moonbin—your smile lit up rooms. I wish we had seen the shadows you hid.

To every idol who is gone—we miss you. We remember you. We promise to do better. Not just in your memory, but for those still with us, still fighting.

If you’re an artist reading this: you matter. Not because you’re perfect, but because you’re human. Your music heals. Your life is precious.

Goodbye, Sulli. Goodbye, Jonghyun. Goodbye, Goo Hara. Goodbye, Moonbin.

You worked hard. You gave us your hearts. And we will carry your light forward.

For you, we choose kindness. For you, we speak up. For you, we love better.

Rest peacefully. You are not forgotten.