Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
Home> Volumes> Volume CHR Vol.43> Article
Research Article

Dimensional Interaction, Intimacy Building: Roles of Perceived Intimacy and Parasocial Effects on Fans’ Relations with Virtual Idols

Shuochen MuShandong University*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

The appearance of virtual idols has introduced discussions about the connection with fans, even though their idols are always disembodied and fictitious. To some degree, the theory of parasocial interaction can have academic value in the virtual characters, extending beyond the impact on the real stars and fans. This study emphasizes particularly on exploring the role of intimacy in the parasocial relationship, which contains the perspective of fan psychology and youth subculture. By exerting structured interview, the survey collects records from 7 college students who are fans of popular virtual idols including A-SOUL, Luxiem, LASER, etc. The results provide insights into how fans perceive the presence of intimacy and what factors influence the levels of intimacy based on the behaviors of online media usage. Compared with the real idols and life, there are some findings showcasing characteristics of virtual idol-fan intimacy when fans have developed the parasocial interaction.

Keywords: virtual idols; fandom; parasocial interaction; intimate relationship; communication.
Published: October 25, 2024
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/43/20240162
Volume: CHR Vol.43
pp. 120-127
Download PDF

References

  1. Zainudin, A., Putra, M.A.P., Alief, R.N., Akter, R., Kim, D.-S. and Lee, J.-M. (2024) Blockchain-inspired collaborative cyber-attacks detection for securing metaverse. IEEE Internet Things J., vol. 11, no. 10, pp. 18221-18236.
  2. Ali, M., Naeem, F., Kaddoum, G. and Hossain, E. (2024) Metaverse communications networking security and applications: Research issues state-of-the-art and future directions. IEEE Commun. Surveys Tuts., vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 1238-1278, 2nd Quart.
  3. Zhu, R. and Yi, C. (2024) Avatar design in Metaverse: the effect of avatar-user similarity in procedural and creative tasks. Internet Research, 34(1), 39-57.
  4. Li, S. and Chen, J. (2024) Virtual Human on Social Media: Text Mining and Sentiment Analysis. Technology in Society, 102666.
  5. Wang, Q., Long, S., Zeng, Y., Tang, L. and Wang, Y. (2023) The creative behavior of virtual idol fans: a psychological perspective based on MOA theory. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1290790.
  6. Zhao, Y. (2022) Analysis of the Social Impact of Fandom Culture in ‘Idol’ Context. Advances in Journalism and Communication, 10(4), 377-386.
  7. Deng, P., Yan, W., Yu, Y., Zhang, Y. and Zhang, L. (2024) The attitude of online fans: perceived value, expectation, and identification on VAR satisfaction. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1288998.
  8. Chen, Z. and Skey, M. (2024) I produce songs for her…. In this way, I gradually know her more. The more I know her, the more I like her’: Using Collins’ model of interactive ritual chains to study the case of virtual idol fandom in China. Convergence, 30(2), 841-859.
  9. Li, E.C.Y. and Pang, K.W. (2024) Fandom meets artificial intelligence: Rethinking participatory culture as human–community–machine interactions. European Journal of Cultural Studies, 13675494241236146.
  10. Yu, Y., Kwong, S.C.M and Bannasilp, A. (2003) Virtual idol marketing: Benefits, risks, and an integrated framework of the emerging marketing field. Heliyon 9(11).
  11. Le, L.K. (2014) Examining the rise of Hatsune Miku: The first international virtual idol. The UCI Undergraduate Research Journal, 13(1), 1-12.
  12. Coesel, A.M., Biancardi, B. and Buisine, S. (2024) A theoretical review of the Proteus effect: understanding the underlying processes. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1379599.
  13. Rosenkrantz, N.V. (2018) Reality Substitution in Video Gamers: Exploring the Reality Substitution Model and its Ability to Predict Health and Behavioural Outcomes (Master’s thesis).
  14. Jamieson, L. (2013) Personal Relationships, Intimacy and the Self in a Mediated and Global Digital Age. Digital Sociology, 13–33.
  15. Nash, B.L. (2024) Love and Learning in the Age of Algorithms: How Intimate Relationships with Artificial Intelligence May Shape Epistemology, Sociality, and Linguistic Justice. Reading Research Quarterly.
  16. Habito, C.M., Morgan, A. and Vaughan, C. (2022) ‘Direct’ and ‘instant’: the role of digital technology and social media in young Filipinos’ intimate relationships. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 24(5), 657-672.
  17. Hu, T., Zou, C. and Wang, E.N. (2023) A male idol becoming a girl? Nisu fans’ sexual fantasy about male stars. Transformative Works and Cultures, 41.
  18. Lan, Y. (2024) Construction, control and identification: The generation mechanism of para-intimate relationships between idols and fans. In SHS Web of Conferences (Vol. 183, p. 02016). EDP Sciences.
  19. Horton, D. and Wohl, R.R. (1956 ) Mass Communication and Para-social Interaction: Observations on Intimacy at a Distance. Psychiatry, 19(3).215-229.
  20. Setyanto, Y., Winduwati, S. and Utami, L. S. S. (2017) Early adolescent behavior on media toward idol figure (Parasocial study on preliminary youth as an effect of new media). International Journal of Communication and Media Studies, 7(2), 1-14.
  21. Zhou, Q., Li, B., Li, H. and Lei, Y. (2024) Mere copycat? The effects of human versus human-like virtual influencers on brand endorsement effectiveness: a moderated serial-mediation model. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 76, 103610.
  22. Kim, J., Youm, H., Kim, S., Choi, H., Kim, D., Shin, S. and Chung, J. (2024) Exploring the Influence of YouTube on Digital Health Literacy and Health Exercise Intentions: The Role of Parasocial Relationships. Behavioral Sciences, 14(4), 282.
  23. Li, W., Ding, H., Xu, G. and Yang, J. (2023) The impact of fitness influencers on a social media platform on exercise intention during the COVID-19 pandemic: the role of Parasocial relationships. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(2), 1113.
  24. Hoffner, C.A. and Bond, B.J. (2022) Parasocial relationships, social media, & well-being. Current Opinion in Psychology, 45, 101306.
  25. Yan, Q. and Yang, F. (2020) From parasocial to parakin: Co-creating idols on social media. New Media & Society, 23(9):146.
  26. Liu, J. (2023) Virtual presence, real connections: Exploring the role of parasocial relationships in virtual idol fan community participation. Global Media and China: 20594364231222976.
  27. Song, L., Chow, O. W., Na, M. and Sarjit, S.G. (2024) Virtual Idol and Youth Identity: The Impact of Mainstream Culture on the Virtual Idol Online Fanbase Community in China. Studies in Media and Communication, 12(2), 100-115.
  28. Hall, J., Wilson, K.M., Wiesner, K.E. and Cho, H. (2007) Improving the understanding of parasocial interaction: A review of its effects, conceptualizations, and antecedents. In Paper presented at the NCA 93rd Annual Convention. NCA.
  29. Scott V.M. Mottarella, K.E. and Lavooy, M. J. (2006) Does Virtual Intimacy Exist? A Brief Exploration into Reported Levels of Intimacy in Online Relationships. Cyber Psychology & Behavior, 9(6):759-761.
  30. Koike, M. (2021) Virtually in love: the role of romantic anthropomorphism in the digital age.
  31. Giddens, A. (2013) The transformation of intimacy: Sexuality, love and eroticism in modern societies. John Wiley & Sons.
  32. Dang, Z. (2023) A Study on the ‘Coupling’ Phenomenon in the Chinese Fandom of English Cultural Products and Intercultural Imagination of Fan Creation (Doctoral dissertation, University of East Anglia).
  33. Syakiroh, A., Yunawan, S.R.A.N., Imawan, K. and Wulandari, S. (2024) Parasocial Versus Public Figure on TikTok Social Media: A Psychoanalytic Perspective. Journal Transnational Universal Studies, 2(5), 265-275.
  34. Lee, J. and Hong, I.B. (2016) Predicting positive user responses to social media advertising: The roles of emotional appeal, informativeness, and creativity. International Journal of Information Management, 36(3), 360-373.
  35. Hoang, T.D. and Su, Y. (2019) Virtual Celebrities and Consumers: A Blended Reality. Research [Masters dissertation].
  36. He, Y. and Sun, Y. (2022) Breaking up with my idol: A qualitative study of the psychological adaptation process of renouncing fanship. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1030470.
  37. James, C.A. (2011) Communication in online fan communities: The ethics of intimate strangers. Empedocles: European Journal for the Philosophy of Communication, 2(2), 279-289.
  38. Yin, Y. (2021) ‘My baby should feel no wronged!’: Digital fandoms and emotional capitalism in China. Global Media and China, 6(4), 460-475.
  39. Xu, R., Hsu, Y. and Mi, H. (2023) Cross-Cultural Research on the Construction of Digital Media Takes Virtual