[csaa-forum] The Asian Media and Cultural Studies Network presents the K-pop Fandom, Race and Activism Audio Series

[Sean Redmond]

Series 3: Audio Thinking Aloud Series

K-pop Fandom, Race and Activism
Curated by Dr Bertha Chin (Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak)

K-pop (and more specifically BTS) fans have been receiving a lot of media attention of late. The attention is not merely for its recent global success, but for fans’ efforts in disrupting the social and political discourse in the US through crashing a police app meant to track down Black Lives Matter protesters, hijacking of racist hashtags, and reserving tickets at Trump’s rally only to not show up. The unabashed media celebration on the political activism of K-pop fans has drawn criticism from scholars working in the field of fan and media studies, specifically surrounding the erasure of Black and Asian fans, and for ignoring the problematics of race representations within the K-pop industry (as well as within the fandoms). This audio thinking aloud series features 4 scholars' reflection on the discursive and disruptive practices of K-pop fans, locating it within critical discourse of fan and media studies on K-pop.

Dr Jeeheng Lee (Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea) explores Counter-Discursive Practices of BTS Army<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rljgBaUuXdc>
This audio lecture aims to highlight the conflict between the BTS fandom and the Western media on the discourse on BTS. Dominant discourse on BTS, particularly in the west, reveals racism, xenophobia, misogyny and English-centric ideology internalized by Western cultural intermediaries such as journalists, critics and music experts.

Miranda Ruth Larsen (PhD Candidate in the Information, Technology, and Society in Asia Program, at the University of Tokyo, Japan) explores Misappropriation of Blackness in K-pop<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLUWN1l2ZMU>
Discussions of cultural appropriation and misappropriation surround K-pop and are currently pushed to the forefront as the global fandom connects and grows. This presentation overviews the stickiness of misappropriation and examines how K-pop's relationship with blackness, especially black masculinity, complicates ideas of idol agency.

Dr. Candace Epps-Robertson (Assistant Professor of English and Faculty Affiliate in the Department of American Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA) explores Educating from within: Fan-led Education and Activism in BTS Fandom<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze17gY3KHMc>
This audio lecture describes the complexity involved in fan led activism and educating about social issues in the BTS fandom known as A.R.M.Y. While much attention has been given to the collective efforts of this fandom to raise awareness, funds, and support around social issues, less has been given to the kind of fan led educating that happens within the community. While fan led activism is not new, many are curious when it comes to A.R.M.Y because of the effort and diversity represented in the fandom.

Colette Balmain (Senior Lecturer in Media and Communication at Kingston University, UK) explores Educating from within: Fan-led Education and Activism in BTS Fandom<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze17gY3KHMc>
This audio lecture describes the complexity involved in fan led activism and educating about social issues in the BTS fandom known as A.R.M.Y. While much attention has been given to the collective efforts of this fandom to raise awareness, funds, and support around social issues, less has been given to the kind of fan led educating that happens within the community. While fan led activism is not new, many are curious when it comes to A.R.M.Y because of the effort and diversity represented in the fandom.

For more information about the Asian Media and Cultural Studies Network see here<https://www.deakin.edu.au/communication-creative-arts/research/asian-media-and-cultural-studies-network>

Best wishes,
Bertha, Sean and Jian


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