Homeland vs. Korean idols: Cyber-nationalism in Chinese K-Pop Fandom

Abstract

Cyber-nationalism in China which has become more salient over the last decade is a major factor that contributes to increasing anti-Korean sentiments in China. By interviewing 20 Chinese K-Pop fans, this study explores how Chinese K-Pop fandoms display and construct their nationalism and how they negotiate their love for Korean idols and their homeland China. Once criticized as unpatriotic, K-pop fandoms declare their hated towards Korea and stay vigilant about Korean stars’ political speech to rationalize their fanship of Korean stars. This phenomenon reflects strong nationalism of Chinese fans that mediate their consumption of K-Pop.