• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.943-958
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• 2023

This study explores the sneakerhead subculture through the lens of subcultural capital, primarily focusing on online community interactions. The analysis utilizes text mining techniques and netnographic research methods to examine textual data extracted from the online sneakerhead community and aims to elucidate manifestations of subcultural capital within the subculture. The findings underscore several key points: Firstly, shared experiences cultivated by the collective consciousness of subcultural capital foster solidarity among members. Secondly, ongoing validation of authenticity and comprehension of sneakers' cultural significance are member requirements. Subsequently, exhibiting greater levels of subcultural capital empowers members, resulting in hierarchical structures both within and beyond the community. Fourthly, resale-driven sneaker commercialization yields positive outcomes, including individual profit and cultural expansion, yet also brings negative consequences, such as market distortion and intra-community conflict. Lastly, the online community fills a pivotal role in dictating subcultural trends, effectively functioning as an institutional network. Given sneakers' enduring status as a fashion phenomenon, further examination of in this realm is warranted.

• 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.