Positive Psychosocial Outcomes and Fanship in K-Pop Fans: A Social Identity Theory Perspective

TLDR

Korean pop culture has spread worldwide, creating a global fan audience. The study examined which self‑categorized K‑Pop fandom characteristics predict higher fanship and subsequent psychosocial outcomes. Using social identity theory, 1,477 fans from 92 Western countries completed an online survey assessing fanship, fandom traits, happiness, self‑esteem, and social connectedness. Fanship was significantly predicted by various demographic and fandom characteristics and, in turn, predicted higher happiness, self‑esteem, and social connectedness, extending social identity theory to K‑Pop fandom.

Abstract

Korean pop culture (K-Pop) has spread its influence outside of Korea to a worldwide fan audience. The present study investigated the self-categorised K-Pop fandom characteristics that predicted higher levels of K-Pop fanship, and subsequent psychosocial outcomes. Social identity theory was applied as a theoretical framework. In total, 1477 K-Pop fans from 92 predominantly Western countries fully completed an extensive online survey measuring fanship, fandom and psychosocial outcomes (happiness, self-esteem and social connectedness). Results of this study indicated that K-Pop fanship was significantly predicted by a several K-Pop demographic and fandom characteristics. K-Pop fanship was a significant predictor of increased happiness, self-esteem and social connectedness. The study findings advance the application of social identity theory in a K-Pop fan context and the psychological fanship research more broadly.