Understanding the American K-Pop Fandom

• In Event: Short Intercultural Presentations (SIPs) #2

Abstract

Although the U.S. still dominates music markets in many countries, there are recent instances of foreign music making headway in the U.S. As a relatively closed and unknown country for much of its history, the fact that South Korea is rising in prominence for its pop music is at odds with concerns of Western cultural imperialism. This qualitative study conducted in-depth interviews with American K-pop fans to discuss their meaning-making from K-pop as a hybrid music product and their participation in the subculture of the K-pop fandom. The degree of “Westernization” of K-pop, issues of sexual and racial stereotypes of Asian people, and a sense of identifying with traditional Eastern cultural values were discussed. Participants agreed that the U.S. still maintains a barrier to Asian and Asian-American entertainers, which K-pop may be uniquely positioned to penetrate.

Author

• Katy Lavonne Snell, U of Miami