Into the Purple Ocean : The role of K-pop in spreading culture and forming transcultural fandoms

What is it about?

In this study we explored how K-pop (Korean pop music) fandom diffused Korean cultural knowledge, and how this can shape our identity. Specifically, we investigated the relationship between BTS (a K-pop group) and their fandom, ARMY, and how this dynamic contributes to the formation of a new group identity. Using an online survey approach with 116 participants, we found that the more that individuals identified with their fandom (ARMY), the more they identified with all of humanity, reported greater remote acculturation with Korean culture, and could successfully identify idols based on cues. This research provides insight into the relationship between idol and fan, and the ways that online pop music fandom can contribute to acculturation remotely across borders and large geographic distances, the development of new group identities, and increased perception of a shared group identity with all of humanity.

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Photo by yeojin yun on Unsplash

Photo by yeojin yun on Unsplash