A Study on Idol Fandom Methods According to the Tendency of Koreans

Abstract
This study focuses on the ways of enjoying idol fandom according to the tendency of Koreans. Prior to the study, it was confirmed through mass media that there was a conflict in the process of Korean fans' acceptance of globalized idol activities such as recruiting foreign members of idols and singing in foreign languages in Korean broadcasts. The purpose of this study is to analyze the causes of such conflicts and to suggest effective fan marketing of entertainment in the activities of global idols. A qualitative case study was conducted to analyze individual cases in the fandom. In-depth interviews of 8 idol's fan club members were conducted, and the data collected through recordings and video recordings were transcribed, followed by line-by-line analysis and categorization. The categories derived are: 1st, Korean fan expectations for idols, 2nd, extreme job of idols that meet the expectations, 3rd, characteristics of Korean idols, 4th, Korean culture that foreign members need to understand, 5th, global activities and foreign language use of Korean idols. Based on the derived results, a plan for entertainment to accommodate Korean fans was suggested. First, entertainment must produce artists with the right values and morals. Second, entertainment must act as a clear mediator between idols and fans. Third, there must be a balance between idol activities in Korea and oversea. Fourth, education of Korean culture for foreign members should be carried out. This study is significant in that it identified individual ways and tendencies to enjoy fandom rather than focusing on the collective nature of fandom. However, due to the limitations of the gender imbalance of the study participants and the limited age, it was suggested that follow-up studies focusing on issues related to fandom are needed for various researchers in the future.