Looking at K-Pop as an I-fan: a Reflection of Mesmerizing yet Imperfect Identities
dc.contributor.author | Chan, Yvonne Yi Yan | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2014-05-04T02:44:50Z | |
dc.date.available | 2014-05-04T02:44:50Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2014-05-03 | |
dc.department | Cultural Anthropology | |
dc.description.abstract | In the past decade, Korea has become the new powerhouse of popular culture within Asia, and Korean Popular Culture, short for K-Pop, is gaining popularity worldwide. Thanks to the Internet and digital media, people across the globe are able to participate in this growing phenomenon. Based on interviews of international fans (I-fans) and ethnographic fieldwork in South Korea, this thesis explores why international K-pop fans want to consume K-pop and the difficulties they face as consumers who do not belong to the culture on the first place. By examining music videos, reality shows, commercials and celebrity endorsements, I illustrate that K-pop is commodifying Korean culture into something that captures fans worldwide. In addition, I draw upon Korean history and theories of fetishization, mirror phase and male gaze to connect K-Pop with Korea’s fixation over perfection and chastity. Finally, I argue that K-Pop’s appeal lies upon its ability to reflect the vulnerabilities and struggles the younger generations face in society today. | |
dc.identifier.uri | ||
dc.language.iso | en_US | |
dc.subject | Korean Popular Culture, International Fan, K-Pop | |
dc.title | Looking at K-Pop as an I-fan: a Reflection of Mesmerizing yet Imperfect Identities | |
dc.type | Honors thesis |
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