A Very Biased Report

G-Dragon of BIGBANG and Zico of Block B

Having a “bias” is a very new concept for me.  When I first started watching K-Dramas and listening to K-Pop, and I came across the term used in reference to individual people, it almost seemed like the word was used incorrectly.  To me, having a bias was more a state of mind, and almost always comes with a negative connotation as in ‘I am biased… against something.’ For the record I still find it hard to start a sentence off with ‘My bias is…’ in reference to my favorite male and female actors and idols. 

Now I’m more amused than anything about how often I use the phrase, and its particular meaning. It’s just one more sign that I’m helplessly immersed in the lingo of modern fangirldom- a fact that has become an endless sort of amusement and irony to me. Take a look at my two precious K-Pop biases above, and realize that even my noona status can’t diminish how much I admire and respect (and completely adore to bits!) two absolute strangers from across the world.

Sometimes, having a bias is a scary thing – as is coming to terms with it. As such, I have put together a list of definitions from as many sources as applicable.  So what is being biased? What is a bias? And what does it mean to be biased, have a bias, or live professing such biases. Read more for this and many more questions (and probably fewer answers). 

An Anthology of ‘Biased’ Definitions

Google Search:

Noun Prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.

Verb Show prejudice for or against (someone or something) unfairly: "the tests were biased against women"; "a biased view of the world". Merriam Webster: a : bent, tendency b : an inclination of temperament or outlook; especially : a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgment : prejudice c : an instance of such prejudice d (1) : deviation of the expected value of a statistical estimate from the quantity it estimates (2) : systematic error introduced into sampling or testing by selecting or encouraging one outcome or answer over other Oxford: noun 1 [mass noun] inclination or prejudice for or against one person or group, especially in a way considered to be unfair: there was evidence of bias against black applicants the bias towards younger people in recruitment a concentration on or interest in one particular area or subject: his work showed a discernible bias towards philosophy    Business Dictionary: 1. An inclination or preference that influences judgment from being balanced or even-handed. Prejudice is bias in pejorative sense. 2. Statistics: A systemic inaccuracy in data due to the characteristics of the process employed in the creation, collection, manipulation, and presentation of data, or due to faulty sample design of the estimating technique. Wikipedia: Bias is an inclination of temperament or outlook to present or hold a partial perspective at the expense of (possibly equally valid) alternatives in reference to objects, people, or groups. Anything biased generally is one-sided and therefore lacks a neutral point of view. Bias can come in many forms and is often considered to be synonymous with prejudice or bigotry.     Urban dictionary: 1. bias In Kpop, the member of an idol group that is your favorite. A person may have one ultimate bias, and many other biases from other idol groups, or only have one ultimate bias. This term is derived from "having a bias towards a particular person." G-Dragon is my ultimate bias, but Key is my SHINee bias. 2. bias To lean towards something because you don't like something else, or you like something more than something else. Goes hand in hand with discrimination and prejudice Kpop Dictionary: tumblr BIAS noun; a personal favorite group or member of a group. Person 1: “Who is your favorite member of Big Bang? Person 2: “I switch around a lot, but my bias has always goes back to being Daesung.” A ‘Biased’ Summary So, basically I am prejudiced in favor of an extreme inclination to make an unreasoned judgment deviating from the expected value or worth of a group of individuals, and am instead engaging in unfair consideration towards one person in particular, willfully manipulating myself with complete lack of a neutral point of view, which could come in many forms, but in this case defines my favorite K-Pop group member, summarized by my favorite example ever: ‘G-Dragon is my ultimate bias.’ Thank you Urban Dictionary for stating the truth as is. Phew!! So what does it mean be prejudiced in favor of… ^^that above^^ ?  Good question! I think it means that I love my biases, even when they look like this: Or make weird movies like this: Of course, I will maintain my position that the actors and singers who make my bias(ed) list get there first and foremost because of talent, and I will defend their talent to the death.  Let’s face it. I may like a few entertainers for being cute or funny, or generally decent at what they do, but I love my favorites because of how awesome I (totally subjectively, but mostly objectively) think they are, in more ways than just one.  I could list all these reasons, but this post is not about my biases, it’s about biasing in general.  Do I think my biases are angels on earth who can do no wrong? Absolutely not. My biases are human, after all. They make mistakes, smoke marijuana from time to time, say dumb things on TV interviews, and play creepily good homo-sageuk characters, while not having any chiseled abs to speak of. *gouges eyes out again* What’s my biased verdict then, you may ask? I love my biases. So back off! They’re mine! Oh, ahem… Let’s chose another topic…Where did the term ‘bias’ come from?  I have absolutely no idea, and according to Yahoo answers, nobody seems to have an answer there either.  I’m up for suggestions. Anyone? How about this question I came across on my Google searches:  ‘Why do K-Pop fans always change their bias???’  Who me? I don’t change my bias… except that one time. But seriously, will anyone ever top GD? I think the answer is never, or at least until Zico gets about 5 years older, and if I’ve stopped aging by then, or if this gorgeous kid gets even more adorable:: Any takers? Not for Ukwonnie-baby. He’s all mine.