Go to contents

Hyo-ri Syndrome Sweeps across the Internet

Posted August. 10, 2003 21:54,   

한국어

Tens of thousands of people have joined `Hyo-ri Café,` an Internet community club comprising fans of the pop icon. They want to look pretty and sexy like Hyo-ri.

The Internet café (cafe.daum.net/hrsj) opened in July 2001 now boasts some 180,000 members. According to operator of the fan site`Cute Teddy Bear,` more than 30,000 people joined the club in less than two days between July 17 and 18, reflecting growing popularity of the female singer and show host.

The club is, however, listed on `fashion/beauty` section instead of `fans.` On the Web site, there are such corners as `Fashion Leader,` `Hair Style` and `Skin Care,` where members find images of Hyo-ri from TV show `Happy Together.` Fans post questions - `where they can buy certain cloths` and `how much they will cost.`

Hyo-ri is not merely a pop icon. Many young women want to look like Hyo-ri. ˝When Hyo-ri wears certain cloths, women take notice and sales rise sharply,˝ said an official at a clothing company, which has hired the pop star as contracted model. In fact, Hyo-ri has earned some 2 billion won with CF contracts.

There`s Something about Hyo-ri

˝Lee Hyo-ri has been wearing characteristic cloths such as skull caps and hip-hop jeans since she was a member of female vocal group FINKL,˝ said 21-year-old college student Huh Ji-yoon, member of the Hyo-ri Internet fan site. ˝While other pop stars carry certain images that are all the same, she behaves and acts in her own way.˝

Hyo-ri carries two contradictory images of being sexy and innocent. ˝Her eyes smile before her mouth. When she turns her face a little and gives a sidelong glance, it looks so sexy,˝ said complexion specialist Ju Seon-hee. ˝She has a strong line of chin and looks wild. But her face still has many different looks.˝ The big eyeball and the relatively short dimple in the upper lip make her looks more unique. Her wide shoulders indicate that she is a woman who wants to lead a man.

The key to her popularity, in particular among female fans, is her character. `FINKL` temporarily disbanded the team and Hyo-ri began to host such shows as `Happy Together` and `The Time Machine` early this year, stealing the spotlight.

“Lee Hyo-ri is straightforward. She does not try to make her image on TV,” said 24-year-old Kim Goh-eun. “I like her because she is unassuming.”

Young Women Want to Look Like Hyo-ri

“Wannabes like Hyo-ri`s straightforwardness,” said pop culture analyst Kim Ji-ryong. “They share the idea of becoming like Hyo-ri is cool.”

There are many wannabes among young women, in particular. “The fact that women and teenagers more easily fall for pop stars has something to do with that they are socially-weak,” pointed out Park Eun-gyung, author of the book `god, Stardom and Fandom.` “Finding it hard to achieve their goals in the society, they want to fulfill their dreams by identifying themselves with pop idols.”

So, young women tend to like female stars, who are assertive and satisfy the image of a competent woman.

Wannabes, which came from expression `want to be,` was first used by a Newsweek reporter in 1982. The term began to be widely adopted in the 1980s as pop singer Madonna`s young women fans were called `Madonna Wannabes.`



kathycho@donga.com