The Spectacularization of Fan-Idol Interactions: A Case of K-Pop Culture’s Global Dissemination

DOI

10.2991/978-2-38476-553-9_4How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Fan-Idol Interactions; K-Pop; Global Dissemination; Spectacularization

Abstract

This paper investigates the landscape phenomenon of fan-idol interaction and its underlying logic, taking the globalization of K-pop culture as a case study. In particular, it points out that the spectacularization of idol culture is a dynamic process driven by visual imagery and amplified symbolic value. In this process, media platforms, fan behaviors, and market demands interact to elevate idols from entertainment figures to cultural symbols. A deep symbiotic relationship emerges between fans and idols, with fans actively shaping idol symbolic value via content creation and steering public opinion. Besides, capital strengthens commercial operations via emotional economies and platform mechanisms, intensifying the tension between fans and corporate interests. Following this, it delves into the manifestation of fan subjectivity and its power dynamics with capital, revealing the multiple disciplinary relationships among idols, fans, and capital: capital disciplines the behaviors of idols and fans, fans shape idol images through interactive practices, and idols continuously respond to and negotiate fan expectations, thereby forming a dynamic balance of power. At the global dissemination level, K-pop expands its international influence through the deployment of landscape visual symbols and cultural adaptation strategies. In this cross-cultural context, fan content and interaction drive K-pop’s globalization.

Copyright

© 2026 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Qixu Zhang
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/03/25
TI  - The Spectacularization of Fan-Idol Interactions: A Case of K-Pop Culture’s Global Dissemination
BT  - Proceedings of the 2025 4th International Conference on Educational Science and Social Culture (ESSC 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 26
EP  - 33
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-553-9_4
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-553-9_4
ID  - Zhang2026
ER  -