• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
• /
• v.17 no.8
• /
• pp.2222-2240
• /
• 2023

Brand fandom refers to a collection of consumers with strong emotions toward a brand. Studying the dynamics of brand fandom can help brands understand which services or strategies influence their consumers to become a part of brand fandom. However, existing literature on fandom in the last three decades has mainly used qualitative methods, and there is still a lack of research on fandom using quantitative methods. Specifically, previous studies lack a framework for locating fandoms from online textual data and analyzing their dynamics. This study proposes a framework for exploring brand fandom dynamics based on online textual data. This framework consists of four phases based on the design thinking model: Preparing Data, Defining Fandom Categories, Generating Fandom Dynamics, and Analyzing Fandom Dynamics. This framework uses techniques such as social network analysis and process mining, combined with brand personality theory. We demonstrate the applicability of this framework using case studies of two Korean home appliance brands. The dataset contains 14,593 posts by consumers in 374 online communities. The results show that the proposed framework can analyze brand fandom dynamics using textual customer data. Our study contributes to the interdisciplinary research at the intersection of data-driven service design and consumer culture quantification.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.605-616
• /
• 2022

Given that the current Idol fandom has been enormously affected by the development of digital technology such as the Internet, mobile or social media, this study explored how generational fandom culture has been shifted depending on the fandom's use of differential online platforms and services, i.e., online community vs. social network services. The survey results indicate that 3^rd generation fandom showed significantly greater intimacy, greater attachment/worship, greater similarity toward Idol stars as well as greater fandom loyalty and greater fandom identity than 1^st and 2^nd generation fandom. Similarly, compared to online community centered fandom, social network centered fandom showed greater intimacy, greater attachment/worship, greater similarity as well as greater fandom loyalty and identity than community-centered fandom.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.125-137
• /
• 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 Internet Computing and Services
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.59-68
• /
• 2020

The present study aims to explore the influence of BTS, which is popular around the world. Specifically, it aims to look at differences between Korean and Chinese BTS female fandom. Besides, it also explores factors affecting fandom's daily happiness. The study conducted a survey with Korean and Chinese female fans. Findings from surveys suggest that first, there are differences on star attributes, fandom activity and illusory romance between Korean and Chinese female fandom. Specifically, Chinese female fandom's professionalism and artistic attractiveness which are included in star attributes, and illusory romance which is gained in fandom activity are higher than Korean. In addition, Korean female fans actively participated in offline fandom activities, while Chinese female fans actively participated in online fandom activities. Second, it is found that fandom activity, star identification and illusory romance have positive effects on daily happiness. Based on these findings, implication, limitations, and topics for future research are discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Child Welfare
• /
• no.56
• /
• pp.101-132
• /
• 2016

Fandom is a meaningful social phenomenon that represents a significant dimension of contemporary Korean youth culture. Previous research, however, has considered fandom as a deviant activity that is negative in nature, and there is scant research on the positive effects of fandom activity. This study examined the effects of off-line and on-line fandom activity participation on adolescents' academic time management capability. Data were collected from three waves (2010, 2012, and 2014) of the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey (middle school cohort; N=2,206 at baseline). Results from the multi-level growth curve analysis were as follows. First, more than half of the adolescents reported participating in fandom activities, and the majority of them participated in both online and offline activities. Second, adolescents' academic time management capability improved over time. Third, both off-line and on-line fandom activity participation was positively associated with adolescents' academic time management capability at the baseline (first year of middle school). The size of this relationship, however, decreased over time (from middle school to high school). This study presented the importance of appropriate guidance by adults to develop and promote the positive aspects of fandom activity, and highlighted the need for further research that focuses on the positive aspects of fandom activities.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
• /
• v.27 no.7
• /
• pp.137-144
• /
• 2022

This study is an empirical study on whether the interval of K-pop content updates and price changes consumer purchasing intentions for domestic fandom commerce platforms that turn their profit structure online and strengthen fandom-based marketing to cope with changes in the digital environment. FGI and a survey was conducted using a conjoint analysis designed to confirm the difference in price elasticity according to the content update interval. As a result, the price elasticity of K-pop content was found to be an inelastic characteristic, and the change in price elasticity according to the content update interval was not statistically significant. This study provides basic data to be used to establish a marketing strategy for the fandom commerce market that will grow in the future.

• Korean journal of communication and information
• /
• v.81
• /
• pp.272-298
• /
• 2017

This study aims at understanding Korean fans who are also one of the most inquisitive consumers of the Korean pop products. For this purpose, it examines how Korean fandom perceives the procedures of the K-pop's globalization and constructs different perspectives of foreign fans. Firstly, it examines Korean fandom's the national pride as the K-pop expands to the global markets. Secondly, it explores how the Korean fandom rationalizes its possessive instinct while the global fans and markets becomes increasingly important. Finally, it explores how the Korean fandom constructs the different perceptions on foreign fans. In order to observe korean fans' thoughts and activities, it participates in the interactions in the tweeters and an online community. The Korean fans' perspective reflects both on individual tastes and the social dimensions in which fans live through. Through the lens of the Korean fandom, this study attempts to explicate the Korean fans' perception on foreign fans, which reflects another dimension of the K-pop's globalization.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
• /
• v.25 no.11
• /
• pp.1601-1612
• /
• 2022

As human brands, Idols, the central members of K-pop, are actively engaging in various industries based on the support of their fandoms, greatly impacting the national economy. In particular, due to the development of digital devices and technologies, they are active both online and offline, and idol avatars are a significant part of their activities across diverse contexts. Therefore, this study aims to categorize avatars used in various contexts and explore fandoms' perceptions according to each type. Based on case studies and literature review, idol avatar usage was categorized into products, supplier-led content, and interactive content, and accordingly, surveys and in-depth interviews were conducted. As a result, regardless of category, fandom showed a negative perception of idol avatar usage, as shown in the order of interactive content, supplier-led content, and products. Regarding human brand characteristics of idol avatars, attractiveness was evaluated higher than intimacy and likeability. However, the attachment to real-life idols showed a higher correlation with the characteristics of intimacy and likeability than attractiveness. This study is significant as it looked at the future directions of idol avatar usage by analyzing the fandoms' perception of avatar usage in the K-pop industry from a human brand perspective.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.19 no.9
• /
• pp.113-123
• /
• 2021

Purpose: BTS Meal at McDonald's was launched in May 2021 in selected countries all over the world. BTS fans in Indonesia bought the BTS Meal and collectively donated to the online delivery drivers as a form of empathy. As a quantitative study, this paper aims to identify the influencing factors in sociopsychology for fans to buy products (BTS Meal) available online using celebrity endorsement strategy, as well as demonstrating social empathy as an extended effect. Research design, data and methodology: empirical research was conducted through an online survey sent to 150 participants using the purposive sampling method. Participants were BTS fans, or ARMYs, who bought BTS Meal and conducted donations. Data were then sorted and processed with path regression. Results: preference and role model influenced the buying behavior; however, these factors influenced social empathy only when mediated by consumption. Preference and role model alone did not have a direct influence on social empathy. Conclusions: Consumer behavior insight is relevant in distribution science. A meal distribution involving brand ambassadors is considerable, particularly with celebrities demonstrating quality in capturing fans' hearts through role modeling. When a distribution is conducted online using a brand ambassador, buying behavior could lead to a social impact.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.73-88
• /
• 2008

The media culture influences upon young people while introducing new cultures by every hour. Considering the mainstream culture, in which media has the greatest effect on young people, this article examines the symbolic significances of youth fashion through media culture. The results of this study can be summarized as the following: First, young people's popular culture ("pop culture") is becoming the medium that leads to the creation of similar cultures of the young people globally through various routes. Culture is being created by integration of diverse media, and not by what is seen through a single medium. Typical young people's culture, which is formed due to the influence of media culture, includes community culture, pun culture, virtual culture and fandom culture. Second, in order to examine youth fashion that is seen in those media, the survey has been conducted on media stars, tecktonik dance groups, fashion models, avatars and online communities, which are fashion icons influencing young people. Third, youth fashion, which has been formed centering on media culture, has the flexible property that varies the symbolic significance according to which culture becomes the main axis. The symbolic significance in fashion, which is seen on media culture young people are contacting, has been examined in the aspects of value orientation, diversity orientation, speed orientation and digital orientation.