One 22-year-old fan, Kim Soo-ah, explains her monthly budget: “I spend about $50 on my bias [favorite idol]. For that, she texts me good morning every day. My real ex-boyfriend never even did that. Is it real? No. But does it feel better than reality? Absolutely.”

Here, the fourth wall is shattered. Female creators post "OOTD" (Outfit of the Day) captioned "What should I wear for our date tonight, baby?" They reply to comments as if the commenter is their long-term boyfriend. This is algorithmic boyfriend simulation—random, constant, and addictive.