Like an echo in the forest: sense of belonging and kinship in a K-Pop fandom — ASN Events
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Like an echo in the forest: sense of belonging and kinship in a K-Pop fandom (#88)

Eylin Palamaro-Munsell 1 , Karli VanderMeesch 1 , Cayla Stubler 1
  1. Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, United States

Background

Sense of belonging within music-based subcultures has been well documented. The music genre K-Pop has recently had unprecedented world-wide success.   K-Pop’s global footprint has been fueled by the group BTS. BTS’s achievements can be attributed in large part to their fans, collectively known as ARMY. ARMY, often dismissed by Western media as star-struck teen girls, count in the tens of millions and are a social force to be reckoned with. Naturally, ARMY are devoted to BTS music and members.  ARMY also provide emotional and practical support to one another in both online and offline spaces. 

 

Aims

Related studies have focused on the para-social relationship between the artists and their fans. This study investigated the interpersonal relationships amongst the fans themselves.  Given that BTS’s music has reoccurring themes of self-love and kindness, the impact of the music on individual community members as well as the processes by which a love of music can lead to sense of belonging and community were explored.

Method

Participant recruitment began in Fall of 2022 and is ongoing.  Participants are adults, who self-identify as members of BTS ARMY. All are female and most are minority identified. This study consisted of semi-structured, qualitative interviews. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and coded via Dedoose software.  Coding was conducted in stages, consistent with Grounded Theory methodology.

Results

Preliminary results suggest that members of ARMY feel a sense of belonging within the fandom, along with strong kinship with other fans. Participants gain emotional support from both BTS’s music and inter-fan interactions. They report that BTS’s music provides a reminder to engage in self-love and care. Respondents describe the fandom as a source of emotional healing and joy.

Conclusion

Since music-based subcultures are often framed as negative influences on youth, findings from this study can increase understanding of the role music plays in young adult social and emotional development and wellbeing.  Moreover, it can inform initiatives aimed at youth.

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  3. Chadborn, D., Edwards, P., & Reysen, S. (2018). Reexamining differences between fandom and local sense of community. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 7(3), 241.
  4. Downes, Julia. "The expansion of punk rock: Riot grrrl challenges to gender power relations in British indie music subcultures." Women's Studies 41, no. 2 (2012): 204-237.
  5. Han, B. (2017). Korean wave| K-pop in Latin America: Transcultural fandom and digital mediation. International Journal of Communication, 11, 20.
  6. McLaren, C., & Dal Yong, J. I. N. (2020). “You can’t help but love them”: BTS, transcultural fandom, and affective identities. Korea Journal, 60(1), 100-127.
  • Please select up to 3 keywords from the following list to best describe your submission content: Positive emotions, Relationships, Self-Care
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