When I saw this new Kdrama streaming on Netflix, I immediately gave time to watch it as I feel like it will be somewhat relatable to me. Well, in case you do not know, this blogger mom here, has also ventured to being a content creator as well. Sometimes, I would also be classified as key opinion leader or influencer. In this drama, a social media influencer is already classified as a “celebrity“. This drama shows us how the influencer industry is a growing phenomenon, not only in South Korea but worldwide It shows how the influencers have this powerful force in shaping how people interact brands and products, as well as how one consume media.

Celebrity depicts the desires and mysteries surrounding people who become social media influencers, living as so-called celebrities and the people who envy them. Park Gyu-young plays Seo Ah-ri, a rising star  in the influencer industry. She quickly realizes that it is not all glitz and glamour. She will have to deal with the pressure to be perfect, the fear of being cancelled, and the blurring of lines between her personal and professional life.
Seo Ah-ri is curious and outspoken. She doesn’t back down when people tries to hurt her. She challenged her curiosity of the influencer world, she tried it one time and she liked it. But it doesn’t mean that she will be like everyone else. She has her own rules in her own game and she is winning. Seo Ah-ri is someone who knows how to pursue her dreams. Luckily, she found a way and was able to build her empire. She also showed how to be a successful influencer without sacrificing her authenticity.
Celebrity will show how influencers are constantly under pressure to maintain a perfect image or show the best version of themselves. It can really be exhausting and may lead to anxiety and depression. If you constantly compare yourselves to others on social media, you are not alone. It is normal. I felt it too.

Jealousy is common in the influencer industry. Influencers are constantly comparing themselves to each other – more engagement, more followers, more campaigns and I attest to it, because again, I felt it too. One can really feel jealousy, even to your friend. There are a lot of times I also asked myself WHY – why is she bigger than me? why does she gets more offers than me? does getting lots of followers really a need? why was she invited and I a not? Yes. I was in that phase too. It wasn’t healthy and really let to anxiety. Best thing to do is to ask re-focus yourself. Again, ask yourself WHY are you doing this and it will lead you to the sole purpose on why you are making contents.
Although CANCEL CULTURE in the Philippines isn’t as common or as intense as it is in SoKor, we have our ways to “cancel” someone here as well. Mostly in SoKor, one wrong move, it will be the end of your career – like as in, gone. Here in the Philippines, it most likely won’t be the end, you may still be able to receive projects but it will be non-stop bashing, trolling, hate accounts, digging of the past and it could go on for months, can be for years too. It may not be as intense, but I’m pretty sure the feelings are the same. It can be hurting. Some may shrug it off, but it will always hurt. Be it you are someone who actually deserved to be “cancelled” or someone mistakenly dragged into the mess. Believe me, it felt horrible. I experienced it myself. I didn’t do anything but I was dragged and trolled. It was one of the lowest point of my life. It is degrading and you’ll just feel sorry for yourself, even if you know that they aren’t true. It can still affect you. How I was able to surpass it? I just woke up one day and felt strong and finally, showed up in an event in my best self.
It is true, if you find the right platform for you, you can earn from being a content creator. You can earn through brand collaborations and event attendance, as shown in the series. You can earn by posting a photo of you or a video of you through your brand collaborations. You can earn through blog posting. You can earn through affiliate marketing (sharing of codes or links). You can earn through product live events or in Celebrity it is called “mass purchase”. You can through your platform itself, when yours is already available for monetization or in-stream ads. These days, believe it or not, anyone can be an influencer. But I tell you, not everyone has the staying power.

Just one take away from the Kdrama, Celebrity and even from everything as this has been in my mind for a while now. Let’s say it in Filipino para intense, all caps pa natin. HUWAG KA MAGPAPALAMON SA SISTEMA NG SOCIAL MEDIA. It is still more important to stay with your true authentic self. It is still important for one to still stay kind. It is still important for one to be professional and respectful with the people you are working with. It is still important to stay humble. Beyond this all, it is still important for you to keep your chin up and do your best in everything you do – online or offline. Remember life is not about the likes, hearts, shares, follows and views. Enjoy your journey and most importantly, enjoy your life, because as what Seo Ah-ri ended this series, “People either know me very well or don’t know me at all and yet they cheer for me or hate me.” Just be yourself and surround yourself with people who appreciate you for who you are.