The fiction/real-life distinction is always so interesting! I kind of suspect that the degree to which people perceive RPF characters as truly fictionalized affects how they perceive RPF as a concept? I feel like before I got into kpop, it didn't make sense to me, but afterwards, people were so clearly interacting with these celebrities as fictional characters that I couldn't imagine seeing RPF as otherwise. I also find for me that in kpop specifically, the level of self-consciousness they themselves have about their image/concept is always what intrigues me, like they are aware of and facilitating the fictionalization of themselves.

BBB really did a number on all of us... I am so with you on "engage with idols as idols" and always eager for more of that specifically! I think that goes along with that fictionalization thing because it also questions—what do you know about yourself? How much of yourself is also an image you project into the world, influenced by others' perceptions of you? These are such relatable questions put under such an extreme microscope in kpop! (and lead directly into angst lol)

Anyway your bookmarks/collection of canon fics is a GIFT to the fandom!