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
The last two decades, the popularity and accessibility of K-Pop have transcended Korean and Asian borders, reaching new audiences and gaining new fans, with K-Pop groups becoming not solely...Show moreThe last two decades, the popularity and accessibility of K-Pop have transcended Korean and Asian borders, reaching new audiences and gaining new fans, with K-Pop groups becoming not solely dependent on having a fanbase in Korea for their continuation. Not only have the music and visuals gone international, but also fan culture, having been adapted by international fans as well. But what makes Korean fandom culture stand out in comparison to other fan cultures? Regarding K-Pop and fans, what has been mostly covered in scholarship and media is the spread of Korean entertainment products as drama series and music, the phenomenon Hallyu, and fans as consumers of these products. The practice of fans making donations in the name of their idols is placed within the framework of gift exchange practices and parasocial relationships. This research looks at what this phenomenon could tell us of the role and position that fans and fandoms have within the Korean entertainment industry in regard to their favourite idols and the changing approach to and dependencies of their fans.Show less
