Annyeong Chingu

Some call it Delusional, others Delirious but only true stans know it stands for Dedicated and Loving it. When you find something that gives you so much joy and excitement, you've got to stick to it and dedicate your heart. That's why we always say “Delulu is the Solulu”

Delulu is a term coined to address hyper-excited and dedicated fans of the K-community. Most people think it's all about being in imaginary relationships with all your K-celebrity crushes (why have one when you can have a whole harem?) and defending them from haters, anti-fans, or any living creature. Well, my dear Chingus, it is that and so much more.

Here are some ways to measure how “dedicated and luving it” or in layman's terms “Delulu” you are;

1. You've rewatched your favorite K-dramas so many times that you've lost count!

This is quite normal for anyone who understands the ingenuity and god-like nature of the phenomenon called “Korean Drama”. Intriguing, mind-blowing, deep plot mystery that even Athena the goodness of wisdom can't unfold until she watches it to the last episode.

Do you eat your favorite food once? Never! It's just common sense. So, if you find me watching Goblin for the 50th time, either join me or keep walking.

2. You can recite several meme-worthy dialogues from more than 10 K-dramas.

If this is tagged delulu, so be it! Most K-dramas especially comedy-themed ones are known to have rib-cracking dialogues that just feel right to say out loud. From “You know I have no Chingu” to “Woo to the Young to the Woo”. It's even a popular game to guess a K-drama by its funny dialogue. If you're not here yet, “Gwenchaena Gwenchaena".

3. Your phone wallpaper is a photo of your bias

This is very popular amongst stans of K-pop idols and even actors. From wallpapers to screensavers, it just feels like the right thing to do. K-idols motivate us with their resilience, dedication and let's not forget the amazing visuals. There's nothing like soaking into that “Felix” energy every time you pick up your phone.

4. You've tried to or can use chopsticks because of K-dramas

This is for people who grew up in areas where chopsticks aren't even considered utensils. We know that chopsticks are a normal eating utensil in Korea and watching them eat everything from sticky rice, to tteokbokki, and the infamous ramyeon makes the food look so appetizing,

So, if you have tried wrestling noodles or any other food with chopsticks due to the K-drama influence and ended up with most of it on the table or your clothes, and felt like a child just learning how to eat, then you are on this list.

There's nothing like that feeling of pure joy when you can finally eat an entire bowl of noodles with chopsticks and not spill. Don't forget to show off your skills to your friends.

5. You've imagined your bias being in love with you

K-dramas like “Lovely Runner, Heavenly Idol, and Why I Married an Anti-Fan” gave us hope that your bias is going to fall in love with you if you meet face to face and its giving delulu level 10.5.

If there's anything K-dramas have taught us in terms of relationship and romance, it's that love transcends any and all boundaries and with that in mind, you absolutely believe your bias is sure to fall in love with you once you meet. It might sound unrealistic but the strength of delulu knows no bounds so, Stray Kids concert backstage pass seat is the goal y'all. I’m coming Hyunjin-na!

6. You use Korean words and phrases in your daily conversation

While learning the Korean language is no big deal, however, the intent of learning this language tells whether you are delulu or not. Therefore, if your intention is to impress your future Korean mother/father-in-law, then you are delulululu.

Also, if you have imagined yourself having a full conversation in Korea all by yourself or intentionally use Korean words in your conversations like Aigoo, and Jinjaa to full sentences like Saengli Chukhae instead of just saying “Happy Birthday” you deserve a delulu badge of honour.

7. You've spent hours making fan art or fan fiction.

This shoutout goes out majorly to Tiktokers, Youtubers, and Watpadd-ers who spend hours and days drawing, designing, editing, and writing stories and videos about their favorite K-celebs and sharing with other people to read. This is delulu hall of fame worthy. Though, some of you all go really crazy with your stories cause damm, y’all should have a special section on Netflix.

8. You keep up with and use Korean beauty products and fashion trends.

Let’s be honest, a number of us will scour the internet or our local shopping malls searching for beauty products with only Korean alphabets on the packaging. I am 100% guilty of that.

If you also favor beauty trends from dramas and music videos like sweaters over baggy jeans, short flair skirts, high boots irrespective of occasion or event, and Korean beauty products then you are delulu.

I have seen many k-stans wear baggy clothes in summer and short skirts in rainy seasons at festivals. Fashion statement, YES ; Delulu YES YES YES

9. You can sing and dance to K-pop perfectly.

At this point, you can sing in fluent Korean and you know the exact choreography. The fact that you dedicated energy and time to be able to sing easily in another language and dance because you really loved the song and the artist really speaks volumes. I mean coming from a person who learned French till high school and can't speak a word of it to save myself, your name should definitely be etched on the delulu Walk of Fame.

Chk Chk Boom, anyone?

10. You have attended a K-pop concert/festival

If being a Korean culture lover had an initiation process, then attending a festival/concert would be the final test of courage. Everybody knows attending those ain’t cheap at all. From the crazy ticket fee, finding the perfect wardrobe that screams “I'm cool because I love K-pop”, then learning enough songs and choreography so as not to feel left out of all the fun. It’s a whole lot but for the love and glory, delulu always triumphs.

Out of the 10 signs of being a delulu fan, how many are you guilty of? If you get up to 3, then you’re an amateur, if it's 5, then you’re average and 8 and above then, you’re the dragon warrior of Delulu kingdom.

So, my classy, dedicated and luving it chingus, on a scale of 1 to 10, how delulu are you?

Remember, being a dedicated fan is okay, but don't forget to maintain a healthy balance between fandom and reality!