Escapism and motivation: understanding K-pop fans well-being and identity
K-pop is a relatively new genre but its fanbase has grown massively in Malaysia for the past few decades. It is also evident that the daily lives of Malaysians have incorporated Korean culture in various social aspects. Thus, this study seeks to explore the well-being of local K-pop fans by un...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
2020
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| Online Access: | http://journalarticle.ukm.my/17051/1/44476-143376-1-PB.pdf http://journalarticle.ukm.my/17051/ https://ejournals.ukm.my/gmjss/issue/view/1357 |
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| Institution: | Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia |
| Language: | English |
| Summary: | K-pop is a relatively new genre but its fanbase has grown massively in Malaysia for the past few
decades. It is also evident that the daily lives of Malaysians have incorporated Korean culture in
various social aspects. Thus, this study seeks to explore the well-being of local K-pop fans by
underlining the objective to understand the meaning of being a K-pop fan. In order to describe
and analyse the social nuances of the well-being being a K-pop fan, several concepts from
sociology as well as fan studies were plotted to assist this research such as para-social
relationship, identity and social identity, the concept of meaning as well as participatory culture.
A qualitative approach was employed by using participant observation and semi-structured in-depth interviews to get into the experiences, views, values, and lifestyles of K-pop fans.
Participant observation was conducted in K-pop concerts and fan events to observe fan practices.
As for the semi-structured in-depth interview, a total number of eight participants were selected
to provide an understanding of K-pop fan's well-being through their experiences and feelings.
This study concludes that being a K-pop fan carries its special meaning that transcends a fan of a
music genre. It varies from providing a platform for escapism as well as emotional and
motivational support through a para-social relationship. Although fan and idol is usually seen as
one-sided relationship, it has benefitted the fan’s well-being in some way. This study also proves
that the fans can also be seen as active producers and content creators which contradict to the
notion of fan as a passive entity. |
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