fan culture (case from thailand, 2017)

Fan CultureM. Srikulwong

“What do you think about when we talk about fan culture?”

–Negative connotations

“Obsessive” “ติ่ง”

“Madness” “Frenzy”

“Fanatic”

“Mania”

Fan Psychology

Identification (sharing perspective) such as culture, gender, age, race, political view and class

Parasocial Interaction with the object of fandom: social, physical and task attraction with the “persona” as if they could be a “friend”

Reasons for Being FansEscapism

Loneliness

Entertainment

Group affiliation

Self-esteem

Sense of belonging

Emotional investment without getting hurt

–Kloet and Zoonen

“Fandom has a lot to do with characterisations.”

Ordinary human being, authentic and accessible

vs

Hardworking, perseverance, seek improvement and honour, more than ordinary

–Difference Levels within Fan Culture

“Non-fan”

“Admirers” “Followers”

“Fan”

“Audience”

Book fans

Fantasy fansBlockbuster fans

No cross-cultural difference among fans

–Fandom Researcher, 2010

“Fans found to have extreme (fanatic) lifestyles and daily routines, will express their interest over many

different mediums of the media.”

Fan activitiesCollecting stuff

SMS Democracy

Fan Fiction, e.g. Harry Potter

Read and debate details via media channels

Integrate cultural materials into their lives, e.g. Cosplay

Joining events and community activities

Expression of mastery among other fans

Why Fandom Matters

Combating

Racism

Homophobia

Transfobia

Sexism

Korean Idols and Thai KidsThe majority of Thai teens have positive attitude towards Korean singers, predominantly because of:

the outer appeal of these teen idols, followed respectively by their talents, stories (dream, patience, determination, training, auditions) and characterisations (incl skills and hobbies) , andthe craze for whatever is Korean (e.g. fashion and beauty)

Note: ละครไม่มีการแย่งสมบัติ ไม่มีการแย่งสามี ภรรยา อิจฉาริษยา ตบตี ด่าทอ เนื้อหาส่วนมากเกี่ยวกับความรักสวยงาม การต่อสู้ของชีวิต และความอดทน รวมไปถึงเรื่องที่ให้ความรู้สึกดี ๆ จึงทำให้ศิลปินของเกาหลีดูน่าศรัทธาและน่าประทับใจ มากกว่าศิลปินไทย

Exercises: Let’s Discuss

Hip Hop is an expression of a low class street culture in the US. Which culture does Thai Hip Hop represents?

How to make a local star become a global one? Giving one example that you can think of a Thai local star that appeals internationally.

References

ณวัฒน์ อิสรไกรศีล. 2555. ยังไงวัยรุ่นไทยก็คลั่งเกาหลี. http://www.thairath.co.th/content/life/263298

de Kloet, J. and van Zoonen, L. Fan Culture - Performing Difference. A Book Chapter in Media Studies.

Fandom: A Look at Fan Participation in Current Media http://www.slideshare.net/reiste01/fandom-a-look-at-fan-participation-in-the-current-media-2?

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