Why K-Pop fans are the next-level Super Fans
- Leighanne Fernandes
- Sep 3, 2018
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 5, 2018
CIU111 - Collaborating with Fans
In the lecture "Collaborating with fans”, we had a variety of discussions about how fans “protect” their favorite artists and the extent to which they can be entitled as “super fans”. Those who enjoy or respect an artist’s/creator’s work might be interested in learning from their skills, thus, love being part of a participatory culture where they can feel involved in creative experiences (SAE, 2018). However, what strictly caught my attention was an opinion that was shared about K-pop fans. It was about how K-pop fans - no matter what is released - are hardcore stans solely because of the artists’ looks: “they save something that doesn’t require to be saved”. As a K-pop fan myself, I would agree with what was stated but would like to share my own views on how the Korean fanbase operates.
The K-pop community works very differently from Western fandoms. They completely immerse themselves into the participatory culture by making dance covers and organizing fan projects (SBS, 2018, p.1). As a fellow K-pop fan, I have also made a few dance covers and attended fan-gatherings because of my genuine interest in a specific group.
Each fandom has unique fan chants, diverse light-sticks (merchandise), photocards, posters, mini-photo books with albums, and love for their entertainment companies (SBS, 2018, p.1). This made me realize how fans’ trust and loyalty have been gained through more than just a single performance.
Moreover, what stands out more is the level of social media interactions that K-pop fans engage in (Blake, 2018, p.1). Although, hangul (한글) is a language that international fans don’t understand, they make constant efforts to learn the lyrics of all of their favorite artists’ songs and sing them during concerts (Kwon, 2017, p.57). Surprising enough, there is a group of hardcore fans called “Sasaengpaen” who stalk and invade the private lives of these artists (Williams & Xiang Xin Ho, 2016, p.82). Some fans even “romanticize” these artists primarily for their looks (Kwon, 2017, p. 64). Therefore, in this sense the opinion stated is very true.
In conclusion, K-pop fans don’t “save something that doesn’t require to be saved” but are just enthusiastic to celebrate a cultural shock through immersing in participatory media culture. In doing so, fans feel accepted through the media they generate in the hopes of being noticed by their idols, making it a known standard of the K-pop community which might seem bothersome to non-K-pop fans.
References:
Blake, E. (2018, April 4). The Strength Of K-Pop Fandom, By The Numbers. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilyblake1/2018/04/04/k-pop-numbers/#4856c84048ab
Harmonicar (2016, July 30). Seouling: Seouling Traveld to KCON NY [image]. Retrieved from https://www.soompi.com/article/871927wpp/seouling-seouling-travels-kcon-ny
Kwon, E. J. (2017, September). Korean Wave: Discourse Analysis on Korean Popular Culture in US and UK Digital Newspapers. Radboud University. Retrieved from https://theses.ubn.ru.nl/bitstream/handle/123456789/4898/Kwon%2C_E.J._1.pdf?sequence=1
SAE Creative Institute (2018, August). Week 10 – Collaborating with fans. Retrieved from https://moodle-dubai.axis.navitas.com/mod/folder/view.php?id=36768
SBS PopAsia HQ (2018, July 25). 6 Things that K-pop fans do that you won't find in other music fandoms. Retrieved from https://www.sbs.com.au/popasia/blog/2018/07/25/6-things-k-pop-fans-do-you-wont-find-other-music-fandoms
Williams, J. P. & Xiang Xin Ho, S. (2016) “Sasaengpaen” or K-pop Fan? Singapore Youths, Authentic Identities, and Asian Media Fandom, Deviant Behavior, 37(1), pp. 81-94. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2014.983011
YouTube (2018). Lesson: Build Deeper Connections with your Fans [thumbnail]. Retrieved from https://creatoracademy.youtube.com/page/lesson/artist-fans
This is very interesting and engaging to have an idea about K-fans celebrating media cultures. good job.
@Amos Mwape, yes I am a fan of their music and music videos (especially the concepts of their work and art direction of their music videos). Liking the people in the group is almost like a bonus factor but because they release all sorts of media, fans are able to see and experience their off-stage personalities as well (through behind-the-scenes footage and reality shows). This makes the members seem more admirable.
A really nice blog, which gives a good insight towards k-pop fans.
Quite the interesting read but I gotta ask are you a fan of the music and wild over the top music videos or like others out there just like the people in the group