Comparative Analysis of K-pop Fans' Offline Support and Consumption Behaviors in China, South Korea, and Japan
Abstract
East Asian countries, including China, South Korea, and Japan, form the major consumer markets for K-pop, which has swept across this region in recent years. Varied live event management rules, copyright protection systems, ticket selling rules, and local fan traditions make fans act and consume differently when they attend idol performances. Beyond simply playing songs online to lift chart data, local audiences devote plenty of time to offline concerts and fan meetings and keep close contact with other fans face to face. This research relies on my own experience watching live shows and long-time observation inside fan communities and compares fan behaviors in five key aspects: handmade fan merchandise, entry standards for official fan events, competitive offline fan behaviors, ticket operation modes, and venue manners. From the comparison, this paper concludes that fans based in China love creating exclusive supporting items and posting live photos online to expand their influence. South Korean audiences pay more attention to unified cheering during shows and attach great importance to artists' original music works. In contrast, strict real-name registration and copyright rules force Japanese fans to follow the most rigorous rules while chasing idols.
References
- Liu, N. N. (2022). Research on identity construction within fan communities.Hebei University Dissertation Collection.
- Qiang, E. F., & Qiang, Z. H. (2019). Fan support culture in South Korea's music industry: Origins, development and functions.China Economic & Trade Herald, 1, 113-115.
- Dong, J. (2018). The Korean wave effect: Reflections on cross-cultural communication of South Korean visual media.Film Review, 19, 78-80.
- Wu, Y. (2023). The circulation of merchandise and transnational fan-chasing practices of Chinese K-Pop fans.Fujian Normal University Dissertation Collection.
- Zi, R. (2019). The underlying drivers of the global popularity of K-pop.Yellow River Voice, 5, 144.
- Sun, F. F. (2018). Translation practice report on Korean wave and cultural communication (Korean-Chinese).Qufu Normal University Dissertation Collection.
- Anonymous. (2021, September 9). Will China's rectification of fan communities restrain the Korean wave?Global Times. https://doi.org/10.28378/n.cnki.nhqsb.2021.008510.
- Dong, M., & Jin, H. Z. (2023, May 13). The revival of European, American and Korean idol tours.Global Times.
- Song, R. H. Fashion localization integration of cross-cultural communication - Take Xiaohongshu platform "Korean Wear" as an example.Shanghai University.
- Xu, Y. Y., & Zhou, W. Z. (2018). Research on the international competitive advantages of South Korean pop music industry.Hundred Schools in Arts, 34(4), 101-107.