The term “sasaeng fans,” or sī shēng fàn, originated in South Korea and refers to obsessive fans who engage in stalking behavior, invading celebrities’ privacy through harassment, illegal photography, and relentless pursuit. The phenomenon has spread across the entertainment sector in East Asia, and media in China now widely use the translated term. These fans develop intense parasocial relationships that escalate into dangerous stalking behaviors, disrupting idols’ personal lives and safety. “Just How Terrifying is Sasaeng?” asked one headline last week on Sohu.
Dalia Parete is a researcher for the China Media Project and coordinates data and mapping for Lingua Sinica, CMP’s online resource on Chinese-language media globally. She studies PRC efforts to influence media integrity across local contexts. Having worked at EUISS in Paris and at RUSI and IISS in London, she also specializes in Chinese foreign policy and Taiwan studies. She holds a master’s degree from SOAS (China and International Politics) and LSE (International Relations).
