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2/6/2026

There are so many people on the internet who aren’t aware that they fall under the line of parasociality. It’s another TikTok buzzword now, but to summarize: parasociality refers to one-sided, usually unhealthy bonds between two parties. The most common and mainstream form is celebrity-fan “relationships”, although to even call it a relationship is insultive… In the smaller spaces on the internet, it also falls under artists and fans of said artists. Eitherway, in parasocial relationships, it’s usually the fan trying to initiate as if there was already some form of unestablished expectation for reciprocation.

If you ever had a moment where someone kept pestering you and wanting to cling onto you, while you try your best to give hints for them to go away, it’s pretty much like that, but taken to an insane degree. People naturally want connection. People are getting lonely. I’d like to blame the pandemic for playing part.

That is to say, parasociality itself is a spectrum. A stalker fan may be on the opposite side of a rope with a paranoid, troubled kid who doesn’t know how else to form adequate bonds.

Notable moments:
- when a “sasaeng” fan wrote a letter in their menstrual blood to a KPOP idol.
- this specific thread (which should also be known as the Denko Saga).

Maybe this fascination is why I’m so into yanderes in the fictional world lol. The idea of love in such a twisted sense.

What are the general behaviors?
  • Unbroken loyalty whether it’d be through defending actions of said subject, praise, extensive investment.
  • Constant monitoring. This goes from frequently checking their social media pages to stalking them in real life or online.
  • The sense of feeling connected, that they are best friends and possibliy soulmates.
  • In most cases, a feeling of despair or simply anxious when the subject is perceived to be against them.
  • If left unchecked, potential harm to oneself, the subject, or other third parties.

“Those in parasocial relationships feel as if they know the celebrity, and the relationship feels as if it is between peers. Fans, on the other hand, most often love a celebrity for their talent and view them as superior human beings.” - PsychologyToday

I’ve had my own personal share of parasocial interactions.

When I was about 12-15, I took part in a very abusive friendship. I was obsessed with this person and my emotions and stability depended on them only. Perhaps this could be a product of some form of narcissism or BPD, although I was never properly diagnosed aside from my therapist’s assumptions. I loved this person in my own way, but I refused to see them outside of the idealized version I put on them, and in every argument (initiated by me), I can only imagine how exhausted they were from my antics.

Repeated emotional manipulation. Threats to harm oneself. Immatureness.

It got to a point where I can’t even remember all the times I got upset with them for things out of their control. I think part of what truly destroyed our friendship was when I publicly lashed out on them in their servers. Absolute humiliation on me (deserved).

Words can’t describe how ashamed I am with how I acted. I have apologized a few times, the most recent apology was about two months ago. We are on good terms right now, they said that both parties weren’t the best and that we were kids, but still. I’m mature now. And yet it still haunts me.

Why did I do it?

I don’t know. I don’t know how it got that far or what sent me into that spiral. I was lonely to my core and I wanted everyone to myself, but even then that excuse means nothing anymore.

Nowadays…
I’m not sure I completely broke from the mindset : if I have a best friend, anyone is fine, then I’ll finally be happy. As a kid, I'd always see best friends in shows and they'd go to the ends of the earth together. I guess I wanted a replica of that. I have a tendency to be envious and sometimes when I see artists and their fans, I can’t help but fantasize to have my own loyal followers. How would they like me? I want all the love I can get, and without it, I’m close to being nothing at all.

Please be mindful of other people you talk to. You can be dependent, but it gets to a point. Everyone is human and has their own thoughts, therefore not everyone can accommodate for you all the time. Give them a fucking break.