Understanding the Korean Fandom of K-pop: Focusing on Its Perspectives on Foreign Fans

Abstract

This study aims at understanding Korean fans who are also one of the most inquisitive consumers of Korean pop products. For this purpose, it examines how Korean fandom perceives the procedures of K-pop’s globalization and constructs different perspectives of foreign fans.

Firstly, it examines Korean fandom’s national pride as K-pop expands to global markets. Secondly, it explores how the Korean fandom rationalizes its possessive instinct while global fans and markets become increasingly important. Finally, it explores how the Korean fandom constructs different perceptions of foreign fans.

In order to observe Korean fans’ thoughts and activities, the study participates in the interactions between Twitter users and an online community. The Korean fans’ perspective reflects both individual tastes and the social dimensions through which fans live. Through the lens of Korean fandom, this study attempts to explicate the Korean fans’ perception of foreign fans, which reflects another dimension of K-pop’s globalization.

This article originated as an MA thesis and was subsequently published as a co-authored journal article with Professor Younghan Cho in the Korean Journal of Communication & Information.