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image of Construction of social reality in Korean pop culture fan community: A netnography study on Instagram and Twitter

Abstract

This study analyses how the Carats (Seventeen fans) and Nctzen (NCT 127 fans) communities construct the reality of daily life related to their idols based on the communication between fans to create a common understanding. Every individual K-pop fan usually tries to build communication and interact with fellow fans in the same fandom in order to exchange views related to their favourite idols. Social media is used to interact because social media reaches its users regardless of time and place, making it easier for users to interact without any difficulties. This research uses a qualitative approach with a constructivism paradigm, also using netnography research methods including observation and interviews. The informants consisted of one Seventeen fan and one NCT 127 fan. This research found that social media is very important for K-pop fans to interact and provide information about their idols. The symbols commonly used by fans in a fandom and also equal enthusiasm for their idols provide shared meaning for fans in the fandom. In addition, this research also reveals that there are some fans who can easily invite other fellow fans to meet, but there are also K-pop fans who take a long time to finally decide to meet directly with online friends who are fellow idol fans.

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/content/journals/10.1386/fspc_00353_1
2025-08-06
2026-04-15

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