"Conrad Is Not Real": Fans' Emotional Struggle with Fictional Worlds Goes Viral

As the latest season of "The Summer I Turned Pretty" captivates audiences, a growing number of fans are openly sharing their struggles to reconcile fictional narratives with their daily lives. A recent viral video by TikTok user Alexa Clark (alexaaaclark) encapsulates this phenomenon, showing her walking into work on a Monday morning, headphones on, with an on-screen caption that reads, "Walking into work on a Monday reminding myself that cousins is a fake place and Conrad is a make believe character & I cannot let my emotions get in the way of my very real job." The video, uploaded from the US, quickly resonated with thousands, accumulating over 398,700 views and 60,600 likes. Comments flooded in, reflecting similar sentiments. One user expressed, "Very concerned for my close personal friend Conrad Fisher," while another added, "Literally have plans to hang out with my bff today and all I can think about is CONRAD." The emotional investment is so profound that some users, like one who stated, "This was me today driving to work. Had to repeatedly remind myself CONRAD IS NOT REAL," find themselves blurring the lines between fiction and reality. Experts suggest that such deep emotional engagement with fictional characters and storylines is a testament to strong storytelling and character development, but also highlights the immersive nature of modern media consumption. While the series provides an escape, the intensity of fan reactions, particularly concerning character arcs like Conrad Fisher's, demonstrates a powerful connection that extends beyond the screen, often impacting daily moods and thoughts.

the Guardian

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