{"id":4905,"date":"2023-07-04T14:45:39","date_gmt":"2023-07-04T19:45:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/read.streamapse.com\/?p=4905"},"modified":"2024-12-31T19:21:28","modified_gmt":"2025-01-01T00:21:28","slug":"we-should-take-them-k-pop-fans-seriously-they-are-creative-dedicated-and-social","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/streamapse.com\/Magazine\/?p=4905","title":{"rendered":"We Should Take Them K-Pop Fans Seriously \u2014 They Are Creative, Dedicated And Social"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"legacy\"><span class=\"nobr\">K-pop<\/span> fans are creative, dedicated and social &#8211; we should take them seriously.<\/p>\n<p>The phenomenal success of K-pop (Korean pop music) and its biggest export bands such as BTS, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Exo_(band)\">EXO<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nst.com.my\/lifestyle\/groove\/2019\/06\/499438\/showbiz-blackpink-beats-bts-most-streamed-song-k-pop-act-spotify\">Blackpink<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Monsta_X\">MONSTA X<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Red_Velvet_(group)\">Red Velvet<\/a> can largely be credited to their highly active and dedicated fandom. This is a group not to be dissed, as Channel Nine discovered recently after airing a segment on \u201cglobal crazes\u201d featuring BTS, a Billboard chart-topping band.<\/p>\n<p>The program\u2019s attempt to poke fun at the band quickly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sbs.com.au\/popasia\/blog\/2019\/06\/20\/channel-9-comment-bts-segment-aired-20-one\">drew the ire of dedicated fans<\/a> (known as the BTS Army) who felt the presenters had not only disrespected the band, but also its diverse, global support base. They mounted a social media campaign, accusing Nine of racism. The <a href=\"https:\/\/thenewdaily.com.au\/entertainment\/stage\/2019\/06\/20\/bts-fans-channel-nine\/\">hashtag #Channel9Apologise went viral<\/a> and the station issued a statement apologising for offending anyone.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe id=\"embedPlayer\" style=\"width: 100%; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 10px; transform: translateZ(0px); animation: 2s ease 0s 6 normal none running loading-indicator; background-color: #e4e4e4;\" src=\"https:\/\/embed.music.apple.com\/us\/playlist\/the-a-list-k-pop\/pl.48229b41bbfc47d7af39dae8e8b5276e?app=music&amp;itsct=music_box_player&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010lLq2&amp;ls=1&amp;theme=auto\" height=\"450px\" frameborder=\"0\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>K-pop fans often complain how Australian mainstream media is, in their view, racist and insensitive in its <a href=\"http:\/\/www.helloasia.com.au\/news\/why-are-bts-fans-always-dismissed-as-hysterical-teenage-girls\/?fbclid=IwAR1TAeqFjwY698N_8AyHuoCUElOpSteMrqAe1Ds05i3StCj3lTj9iOEDi44\">reporting<\/a> on the groups. While it may be tempting to dismiss fan activity as evidence of highly successful marketing techniques, these fan networks actually perform an increasingly important role as a source of social belonging.<\/p>\n<p>Contrary to common perception, most fans are not socially withdrawn nerds \u2013 because the social aspect of K-pop fandom is central to being a true fan. Fan clubs typically consist of global networks of loosely organised local chapters, comprising diverse nationalities and ages. There are also many middle-aged and retired fans, some of whom (such as <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Shinhwa\">Shinhwa<\/a> fans) have grown older with their idols.<\/p>\n<figure><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mMAqezthEcY?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0\" width=\"440\" height=\"260\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><figcaption><span class=\"caption\">20th anniversary concert of K-pop band Shinhwa.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>While there are no reliable statistics quantifying the number of K-pop fans, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.koreatimes.co.kr\/www\/art\/2019\/01\/732_261877.html\">The Korea Foundation<\/a> (which is affiliated with Korea\u2019s ministry of foreign affairs) recently estimated the number of fans of Korean pop culture in general to be 89 million across 113 countries. BTS was the first Asian act to surpass 5 billion streams on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/articles\/news\/bts\/8506971\/bts-first-asian-kpop-artist-5-billion-streams-spotify\">Spotify<\/a>. They have over 9 billion <a href=\"https:\/\/kworb.net\/youtube\/artist\/bts.html\">views<\/a> on YouTube and 20.7 million <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BTS_twt\">Twitter followers<\/a>, compared with EXO\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/weareoneEXO\">5.7 million <\/a>, Blackpink\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ygofficialblink?lang=en\">2.5 million<\/a> and MONSTA X\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/OfficialMonstaX\">3 million<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Embodying an \u2018ideal self\u2019<\/h2>\n<p>K-Pop bands are not simply perceived as pretty and talented people to be admired from afar. They are seen as the ultimate embodiment of \u201cideal self\u201d achieved through hard work.<\/p>\n<p>The work of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.soompi.com\/article\/1287037wpp\/girl-group-members-pulled-long-training-years-blessed-us-debut\">transforming<\/a> from an ordinary mortal into a K-pop star is often well documented through groups\u2019 official social media feeds or behind-the-scenes videos. Polished (often cosmetically enhanced) appearances are seen as the hallmark of investment in self.<\/p>\n<p>K-pop band members also work hard to reduce social distance between themselves and their fans; either by meeting them in person or using social media. In a recent tweet, BTS member J-Hope posted a photo in anticipation of a fan meet the following day, with the line \u201cThank you Army! See you tomorrow!\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The use of purple heart emojis has a special significance, representing the connection the band and BTS fans share.<\/p>\n<p>Frequent livestream interactions with fans via Instagram live or South Korean video service VLive also reduce the social distance between idols and fans, who can quickly build a real <a href=\"https:\/\/www.taylorfrancis.com\/books\/e\/9781315776774\/chapters\/10.4324\/9781315776774-12\">sense of attachment<\/a> to their idol.<\/p>\n<p>As \u201cideal selves\u201d, K-pop stars rarely say or do anything controversial and are thus stable, predictable role models. (Although when they do trip up, as happened recently with the former Big Bang boy band member Seungri, the fall from grace can be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment\/music\/la-et-ms-burning-sun-20190319-story.html\">swift<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>K-pop fandom involves much more than buying merchandise or attending concerts \u2013 fans are cultural producers themselves. They run fan sites, create self-designed band merchandise and produce fan chants: lyrics shouted out during performances at collectively agreed points of the song.<\/p>\n<p>Fan chants are also popular in <a href=\"https:\/\/jpninfo.com\/27237\">Japan<\/a>, but K-pop fans have taken them to a new level. They are disseminated through <a href=\"https:\/\/btsfanchants.com\/love-yourself-her\/dna\/\">fan sites<\/a> and social media.<\/p>\n<figure><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ooPhhLz3W0A?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0\" width=\"440\" height=\"260\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><figcaption><span class=\"caption\">A K-pop band performance and fan chant.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Fan clubs even have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sbs.com.au\/popasia\/blog\/2018\/08\/28\/17-k-pop-fandom-names-and-their-meanings\">unique pet names<\/a> bands use, such as Exo-L (\u201cL\u201d for the love the band has for their fans) and V.I.P. for Big Bang (denoting how each fan is important to them).<\/p>\n<p>Committed K-pop fans also demonstrate their dedication through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/emilyblake1\/2018\/04\/04\/k-pop-numbers\/#5cc7851e48ab\">orchestrated mass voting<\/a> to ensure the bands\u2019 success in music charts and awards. In return, the idols acknowledge the importance of their fans, and actively seek to nurture this relationship.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThank you to ARMYs for giving us such a big happiness. We will never forget the magical time we had with you at the Magic Shop\u201d, said BTS in a <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Kpop_Herald\/status\/1142957487173169152\">tweet<\/a> after wrapping up the fan meetings in Seoul and Busan. The Seoul event was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vlive.tv\/product\/ds00u00u00000109\">beamed live to global audiences<\/a> \u2013 allowing for those outside Korea to \u201ctake part\u201d through live streaming and commenting.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe id=\"embedPlayer\" style=\"width: 100%; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 10px; transform: translateZ(0px); animation: 2s ease 0s 6 normal none running loading-indicator; background-color: #e4e4e4;\" src=\"https:\/\/embed.music.apple.com\/us\/playlist\/the-a-list-k-pop\/pl.48229b41bbfc47d7af39dae8e8b5276e?app=music&amp;itsct=music_box_player&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010lLq2&amp;ls=1&amp;theme=auto\" height=\"450px\" frameborder=\"0\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Philanthropy<\/h2>\n<p>Philanthropy is an increasingly important part of K-pop fandom. Many fan clubs pool resources to support <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sbs.com.au\/popasia\/blog\/2017\/06\/13\/fans-make-charitable-donation-exos-xiumins-name\">charities<\/a>. BTS have also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unicef.org\/press-releases\/we-have-learned-love-ourselves-so-now-i-urge-you-speak-yourself\">promoted<\/a> UNICEF, joining forces with it in their Love Myself campaign, which raised more than US$1.4 million (much via direct donations from fans).<\/p>\n<p>Western media should also bear in mind that bands such as BTS are not popular in spite of being Korean, but precisely because they <em>are<\/em> Korean.<\/p>\n<p>The number of Australians learning Korean has grown exponentially over the past few years, with five major Australian Universities now offering a BA major in Korean Studies. Much of that interest has likely have been sparked by an encounter with <a href=\"https:\/\/lighthouse.mq.edu.au\/article\/april-2019\/do-you-know-bts-how-k-pop-superstars-reveal-aussie-love-affair-with-korean-culture?fbclid=IwAR1hX7AykDVQUVCgtY-Fgd0aIdCY2kHIP78I1Tm9gU5YK9aOjn4lZtJmJnE\">Korean popular culture<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Critics may also be wise to note that fan clubs such as the global BTS Army are increasingly succeeding in what years of government policies in Australia have failed to do: a real and meaningful desire to connect with cultures outside our borders.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;\" src=\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/119300\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\" alt=\"The Conversation\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" \/><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/joanna-elfving-hwang-108692\">Joanna Elfving-Hwang<\/a>, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/the-university-of-western-australia-1067\">The University of Western Australia<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/joanna-elfving-hwang-108692\">Joanna Elfving-Hwang<\/a>, Associate Professor of Korean Studies, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/the-university-of-western-australia-1067\">The University of Western Australia<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>This article is republished from <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\">The Conversation<\/a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/k-pop-fans-are-creative-dedicated-and-social-we-should-take-them-seriously-119300\">original article<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>K-pop fans are creative, dedicated and social &#8211; we should take them seriously. The phenomenal success of K-pop (Korean pop music) and its biggest export bands such as BTS, EXO, Blackpink, MONSTA X and Red Velvet can largely be credited to their highly active and dedicated fandom. This is a group not to be dissed, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4906,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,134,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4905","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","category-playlist","category-streamapse-reports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/streamapse.com\/Magazine\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4905","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/streamapse.com\/Magazine\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/streamapse.com\/Magazine\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/streamapse.com\/Magazine\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/streamapse.com\/Magazine\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4905"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/streamapse.com\/Magazine\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4905\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5895,"href":"http:\/\/streamapse.com\/Magazine\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4905\/revisions\/5895"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/streamapse.com\/Magazine\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4906"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/streamapse.com\/Magazine\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4905"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/streamapse.com\/Magazine\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4905"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/streamapse.com\/Magazine\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4905"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}