Virtualizing the 'Korean Wave' : the politics of (transnational) cyberfandom in 〈Daejangguem〉

Document Type

Journal article

Source Publication

Asian Communication Research

Publication Date

2005

Volume

9

First Page

65

Last Page

90

Publisher

Korean Society for Journalism and Communication Studies

Keywords

cyberspace, fandom, communities, transnational cultural politics, Daejanggeum

Abstract

Cyberfandom of soap operas has been an emerging (transnational) cultural practice, yet little has been researched into it. This paper examines how fans use cyberspace as fan space: for information, reflection, fantasizing, remembering, and criticizing. It also demonstrates how different levels and aspects of hierarchies operates in these ‘virtual’ fan communities, contrary to the commonly held conceptions of equality and democracy that the cyberspace prescribes. By using the case of 〈Daejanggeum〉, the paper argues how avid netizens exert strict governmental structures to regulate fan behaviour on the web. On the other hand, it examines how politics are manifest across cultural borders in the seemingly ‘borderless’ cyberspace.

Print ISSN

17382084

Publisher Statement

Copyright © Author. The copyright of all work are belongs to the original author.

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Full-text Version

Publisher’s Version

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Leung, Y. M. L. (2005). Virtualizing the 'Korean Wave': The politics of (transnational) cyberfandom in 〈Daejangguem〉. Asian Communication Research, 9, 65-90. Retrieved from http://www.dbpia.co.kr/Article/NODE01030480

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