best ways to get to know idols?

i know we can't ever truly know our favs but what avenues do you like to use in getting to know some of yours.

i think my favorite is fan cam or found footage. i mean stuff caught on film not stuff necessarily meant for tv. being a jpop fan a lot of this footage surfaces from times before groups aren't big enough to be on tv.

sns is another i like. i have been lucky enough to have some conversations with some small scale artists/idols.

what are some of your fav ways to get to know your favs?