This thesis explores the relations between parasocial relationships and sasaeng behaviour in the Korean entertainment industry. As K-pop has become more popular than ever through the Korean Wave,...Show moreThis thesis explores the relations between parasocial relationships and sasaeng behaviour in the Korean entertainment industry. As K-pop has become more popular than ever through the Korean Wave, companies have started to introduce more and more ways for fans to create strong attachments to idols through the form of parasocial relationships. However, because of these strong parasocial relationships, some fans have started to show obsessive behaviour towards idols. These so-called sasaeng fans will engage in all kinds of socially unacceptable behaviour to get close to their idol. Through three separate case studies, this thesis illustrates a connection between parasocial relationships and sasaeng fans. All the sasaeng fans that have been observed have some kind of parasocial relationship with the person of their affection. It can therefore be concluded that while not every fan will fall into sasaeng behaviour because they show a parasocial connection to the idol, a sasaeng fan will usually have formed a parasocial bond with someone prior to showcasing sasaeng behaviour. Thus, there is a correlation between sasaeng fans and parasocial relationships.Show less
K-pop has gained global recognition on a previously unknown level. K-pop artists are flying out to locations on every continent for events and concerts and are met with legions of adoring fans....Show moreK-pop has gained global recognition on a previously unknown level. K-pop artists are flying out to locations on every continent for events and concerts and are met with legions of adoring fans. Despite the language barrier and culture-difference, these fans feel nothing but understanding and excitement upon interaction with their favourite band. But the rise to the global stage has not been without obstacles. When the eyes of the world are on you, that means one is subjected to a myriad of cultural perspectives, many of which will inevitably clash with your own. In this scenario, cultural faux passes, or worse, are inevitable. Global fans, confronted with these instances, have reacted in various ways, ranging from witch hunts to blind defense. Knowing they have global fans should have made them more aware, is one of the sentiments, whereas another vocal group points out that perhaps cultural differences are to blame. Based on a review of the theory of parasocial interaction by Horton and Wohl (1956), two surveys were conducted. A quantitative survey was conducted among 328 respondents in the period of April 2020 to May 2020. Following the emergence of K-pop as a hot topic during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, a list of 15 open-ended questions was distributed in June 2020 among 26 respondents to gain more qualitative commentary to function as contrast and illustration to the survey’s results. Results showed a disconnect between the real-life experiences of the participants of the qualitative survey, and the numerical results of the quantitative survey, with the first suggesting a high level of parasocial attachment, and the latter a negligible level. Most important is the clear outcome that fans demand social action from their idols in return for their emotional labour as fans, as illustrated by the events involving K-pop fans during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. Further research is needed to fully reconcile the results, and keep an eye on the development of K-pop and its fandom among social movements.Show less
