• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.125-137
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• 2012

In this paper we draw from recent theoretical discussions of fan culture and the new media technologies to explore how online communities contribute to new forms of K-pop fandom. We suggest that these online sites play an important role in setting the new stage of dissemination and dialogue of K-pop knowledge, through which particular forms and spaces of online fan culture are being created and sustained. Moreover, these web-based communities challenge the existing concepts that have embraced interrelations between culture, consumption and technology. Based on an empirical study of YouTube, carried out using netnographic methods, this study tackles the following questions: how fans construct themselves as Korean pop fans through the online activities; how they exchange information and opinions of Korean stars; and, what meaning they extract from online file-sharing activities.

• Journal of Korea Game Society
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.115-132
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• 2021

This study seeks to examine the aspects of the translation and translation activities of game fan translators through the localization case of 'Dragon Age Inquision'. The interaction and experience of the game are game fan translation, giving various motivations and generating translation kinetics. The study confirmed the motivation by observing the process of game fan translation, which shows the characteristics of producers and recipients at the same time, and interviewing game fan translators. The translation of the game fan will reveal the productive aspect of the game fandom, and then I suggest a point where the game culture should discuss the fan translation.

• Public Diplomacy: Theory and Practice
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 2023

Objectives: This study aims to discover how the spread of K-POP and the diversification of the Korean Wave affects Korea's national reputation. K-POP stars are diversifying their interactions with fandom by creating an online space to consume various products and services related to their stars and engage in fan activities. Because of this, this study aims to examine the relevance of K-POP to national reputation through a parasocial relationship with K-POP stars by fandom forming a community and utilizing media. Methods: An online survey was conducted in English using the Amazon survey company Mechanical Turk for BTS fans living in the United States. A total of 195 people's data, excluding incomplete responses, were used for the analysis. Results: It was found that BTS fans' social media participation activities themselves did not directly affect Korea's national reputation. But the mediating effect of BTS fans' parasocial relationship was found. That is, BTS fans' social media participation activities had a positive effect on their parasocial relationships with BTS which in turn had a positive effect on their national reputation. Conlusions: The use and participation of BTS fans in social media in Korea's national reputation has no significant effect on itself, but it has been found that it affects the national reputation through forming parasocial relationships. From the study results, the parasocial relationship of K-POP fans can be used as a strategic mechanism to enhance the national image and Korea's national reputation.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.24-32
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• 2015

The global success of PSY's Gangnam Style was mediated through combination of YouTube and SNS. PSY's success led into some communication scholars' consideration of new international circulation of Korean pop culture (Korean Trend 2.0). In terms of global circulation of pop culture, it is noticeable how users appropriate YouTube channel beyond mere watching music videos and mere international circulation of Korean pop culture. The mode of fan's activity and appropriation contributes to the expansion of the width and amplification of the volume of Korean popular culture as well. The circulation of pop culture was considered in the level of exchange of tangible commodities such as CD, DVD, and so on until the adoption of digital media and Internet. YouTube has brought new mode in which the international circulation of pop culture is mediated without exchange of tangible commodities but was amplified with the diffusion of network. This study grasps how the mode of users' appropriation contributes to international circulation of pop culture through case studies of some K-pop music videos and international K-pop fans' tribute activities. In terms of theoretical perspective, fandom studies will be examined. In terms of research method, the researcher adopts netnography, a participatory observation on network, to find the feature of fandom and its contribution to the international circulation of pop cultures.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.855-869
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• 2021

Since 2009, stars produced through audition programs have appeared through the process of establishing familiar ties with viewers, unlike stars created by entertainment agencies. This study is a case study that examines the characteristics, roles, and identity of internet live broadcasts (Labang) of vocalists Kang Dong-hoon and his fan cafe(fan community) who appeared in JTBC Phantom Singer 3 in 2020. As a result of the study, fans gathered around SNS even before the fan cafe was created, at their request, 'Labang' began. "Labang" is a "freely participating talk show" in which fans actively participate. This brought about the bond of fans, a sense of belonging, and the activation of fandom. Both stars and fans recognized "Live Broadcast" as "a window of communication to get to know each other," and expressed satisfaction that they could see the sincerity of familiar and unpretentious stars, not unrealistic images reproduced on TV through "immediate comment communication." "Labang" consists of a variety of contents, including stars' daily lives, music activities, broadcast appearances, and hobbies, and is showing "aesthetic differentiation" from those who do not watch "Labang" while sharing the daily lives of stars and fans with active participation.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
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• s.41
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• pp.379-405
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• 2015

The purpose of this thesis is to seek the methodologies for forming the fandoms of the Theatre. For the research, I explain by giving the example of the K-POP, of which the fandom has already been spread. Afterwards, I describe about the items which can substitute the plays and about the limits. By escaping from the passive consumptions, the fandoms have been expanded to the domain in which the culture is reborn. The cultural activities of the fandoms have come out of simply liking the fans, and the domain has been widened to the social activities. In the case of the K-POP, it has gone beyond Korea and has the fandoms in the whole world. Regarding the reasons why the fandoms could be formed in relation to the K-POP, firstly, it is because the project-type stars made by the large-scale agency had existed. Secondly, it is because the methods of accessing the contents had become simple through the online proliferation, such as the YouTube and the SNS's. Lastly, it is because the cultural activities of the fandoms give the joys, thereby continually maintaining the fandoms. If this is substituted for the Theatre, in the case of the Theatre, in order for the large-scale agencies to make the plans for and train the actors and the actresses, there are, somewhat, the excesses. However, if a PR method suitable for the online environment is developed and if the common joy is given to the audience of the Theatre, there is the possibility that the fandoms can be invigorated regarding the Theatre. Although, with regard to the K-POP and the Theatre, there exist the differences between the contents, if the methodologies of the K-POP fandoms, which have invigorated the fandoms and have been managing stably, are substituted for the plays, the invigoration of the fandoms is possible regarding the Theatre, too.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.83-98
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• 2022

This study identified the characteristics of the subculture aspects that led to the success of luxury brands and analyzed the implications of those aspects. For this, semantic analysis in a socio-cultural context was performed. Additionally, this study took the theoretical background, the change in subculture and post-subculture, the digital youth generation, and the change in the meaning of subculture style into consideration. The subculture style aspect and its meaning in luxury fashion brands were analyzed as follows: First, there are challenges that betray the legitimacy or values of luxury brands. Through this, the brand gained recognition and increased sales, and the designer gained a reputation as an innovative creative director. It can be seen that more successful branding was promoted by securing a more subcultured fandom. Second, by combining subculture image fragments, these brands cater to the diverse tastes of a myriad of subcultures. This maximizes commercial profits. Third, most promotional marketing activities are collaborative and done digitally, which allows for a wider customer base, but the difference is in digital capabilities. Limited editions or application use on social networks can act as another driver. It is said that the distinction in high-priced luxury brands is not only driven by economic power but also by sub-cultural capital and digital ability.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.351-361
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• 2019

The objective of this article is to identify an alternative strategy for brand marketing through a case study of the Korean boy band BTS, which has recently seen a huge success in the global music scene. BTS has actively used transmedia storytelling as a tool to survive in the competitive music market. Transmedia storytelling refers to stories that are expanded across different media platforms, engaging audiences to explore from one medium to another to undergo multiple experiences. It gives audiences various ways of enjoying cultural content and participating in cultural content production through numerous media outlets. BTS has established and spread its fictional universe through albums, music videos, short films and webtoons, and has launched diverse projects where fans actively share, create, and play with their content. By inviting fans to actively participate in and interact with the BTS universe spreading through multiple media platforms, BTS can keep its fans engaged and energized. These activities have generated an emotional bond between BTS and their fans, which further leads to a worldwide fandom, based not on a producer-customer relationship but on mutual trust. The BTS case demonstrates the potential of transmedia storytelling as a useful benchmark to provide a positive brand experience for customers, which eventually enhances brand attachment and brand loyalty.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.201-212
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• 2021

This study aims to empirically measure K-pop fans' content and the extent of online activities. To achieve the purpose of the study, the researchers identify the statistically significant online activities that determine the intensity of fan attachment toward K-pop artists. Further, the research confirms the relative importance of various meaningful online activities. Consequently, we can develop the K-pop Online Activity Index (KOAI) model and apply it to this index model empirically for each respondent. We found that the model consists of five online activities of K-pop fans: whether joining the fan club or not, whether paying per view V live+ or not, whether watching VODs associated with artists or not, the degree of fan club writing, the degree of watching a lot on YouTube to improve the value of my artists. This study has practical significance in that it allows K-pop marketers to improve their marketing performance by providing content that will enable them to more efficiently and effectively allocate marketing resources to various online activities to get fan responses. It allows accumulating academic knowledge to understand the behavior in the field of online behavior for K-pop fans.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.87-94
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to explore the essential meaning of Deokhu's culture in adolescent as a play space on Cyber. A phenomenological research method guided data collection and analysis. Qualitative research methods collected from 18 in - depth interviews using semistructured question types for 13 to 17 year - old adolescents living in Seoul Jamsil. As a result, As a result, adolescent's Deokhu culture started by stress and social and emotional desire, and especially it was utilized as a play space on the cyber of purchase activity of fandom and goods around SNS activities. This has a positive effect on self-awareness as well as self-identity formation. Above all, the shortage of play time due to heavy school entrance and the lack of socially provided play space make the cyber space as another play space for the adolescents.