Parasocial Interaction K-Pop Idol Fandom: ARMY BTS on Twitter

Authors

  • Uliviana Restu H School of Communication, University of Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa, Indonesia
  • Deviani Setyorini School of Communication, University of Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa, Indonesia
  • Rismanna Winda Vivi Yanti School of Communication, University of Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa, Indonesia

Keywords:

Parasocial Interaction, Affection Exchange Theory, Twitter, BTS, ARMY

Abstract

Fans'devotion towards their idols encourages the growth of social behavior, namely parasocial interactions: imitation behavior and imaginary relationships that produce various social and personal consequences for fans. ARMY is a fans group of BTS: Boyband from South Korea, which builds interaction and communication with fellow members and disseminates information regarding BTS via Twitter. ARMY's behavior on Twitter can be seen as a pseudo-friendship that encourages fans to do things for their idols and a sense of companionship. This study explains how heart-warming fans build these parasocial interactions and draws patterns of verbal and non-verbal communication in uploads on the ARMY Fandom Twitter account @btsarmyinaamino. Affection Exchange Theory and case study methods are used to analyze how affection generates motivation, and communicate it verbally on Twitter to fulfil the individual's own need for affection and attention. The use of symbols that are closely related to ARMY and BTS identities is also seen to be used intensively as an attempt to translate the imaginary relationship between fans and their idols so that fans believe that what they do is noticed and appreciated by their idols, and in the end makes them feel comfortable.

Author Biography

Uliviana Restu H, School of Communication, University of Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa, Indonesia

<em><strong><img src="https://journal.rc-communication.com/public/site/images/admin/jics-copy-1e5c0c2a8f921139ef8be8b2af0a5795.jpg" data-mce-src="https://journal.rc-communication.com/public/site/images/admin/jics-copy-1e5c0c2a8f921139ef8be8b2af0a5795.jpg" /></strong></em><em><strong>Journal of Intercultural Communication and Society (JICS)</strong></em> published by Riauan Consulting and Communication. <strong><em>JICS </em></strong>publishes qualitative and quantitative research that focuses on human simbolic activities, society activity, communication in society and cultural context, interrelationships between culture communication and society. Studies reporting data from within a single nation/culture should focus on cultural factors and explore the theoretical or practical relevance of their findings<br />from a cross-cultural perspective.All manuscripts submitted for publication to the <strong><em>JICS</em> </strong>are initially reviewed by the Editor for appropriate content and style. If approved by the Editor, manuscripts are then reviewed by two anonymous reviewers in a double-blind review process. Reviewers are chosen by the Editor based on their expertise with a submitted manuscript’s topic, methodology, and research focus.

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Published

2024-03-15

How to Cite

H, U. R., Setyorini, D., & Yanti, R. W. V. (2024). Parasocial Interaction K-Pop Idol Fandom: ARMY BTS on Twitter. AICCON, 1, 371–385. Retrieved from https://journal.rc-communication.com/index.php/AICCON/article/view/161

Issue

Vol. 1 (2024): Proceeding Book of Aspikom International Communication Conference (Aiccon) Grounding Communications for Sustainable Development Towards the Digital 5.0 Era

Section

Tabel of Content