Becoming the Idol: Quantitative Content Analysis of KPopfication in Clash of Champion Casts

Jasmine Alya Pramesthi

doi:10.24076/pikma.v7i2.1954

Authors

Jasmine Alya Pramesthi Telkom University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24076/pikma.v7i2.1954

Keywords:

KPopfication, K-Pop, Social Identity Theory, Content Analysis

Abstract

This study employs a quantitative content analysis method to explore the phenomenon of KPopification in the context of Clash of Champion casts, a student competition organized by Ruang Guru. Although the casts are not K-Pop idols, an analysis of 300 tweets reveals that social media audiences often apply K-Pop culture's terms and norms to them. By analyzing the frequency of keywords such as "Trainee," "Maknae," and "Disband," this research identifies audience perception patterns that view participants through the lens of K-Pop culture. The findings reveal that KPopification does not only occur within K-Pop fan communities but can also emerge among general audiences who adopt the K-Pop framework to evaluate individuals outside that context. From the perspective of Social Identity Theory, the casts’ social identities are externally shaped by the audience, creating expectations and pressures that may conflict with the participants' authentic identities. This study provides significant contributions to the field of communication studies, particularly concerning social media and identity formation, by revealing that KPopification can broadly occur beyond traditional fan communities, influencing how individuals are perceived and treated in the digital public sphere.

References

Abd-Rahim, A. (2019). Online Fandom: Social Identity and Social Hierarchy of Hallyu Fans. The Journal of Undergraduate Ethnography, 9(1).

Afifatun Nazma, A. (2024). Kampanye Kreatif Calon Presiden Anis Baswedan pada Media Sosial TikTok. Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin, 3(3).

Ascue, A. G., Keefe Balmeo, D., Unay, R., Yap, C., Gracia, R., Cortez, C., & Gracia Cortez, R. (2023). “Annyeong, Saranghae!!!”: A Phenomenological Study on the Effects of Parasocial Relationships between Adult Filipino K-pop Fans and their Idols. In 5th DLSU Senior High School Research Congress.

Auh, M. S. (2024). Creativity and Innovation in the K-pop System and a Possible Link with Pansori. Journal of Creative Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1002/jocb.642

Azizah, L. M., Zainuri, I., Akbar, A., & Kotijah, S. (2023). Peran Self Identity Terhadap Perilaku Meniru Pada Remaja Penggemar KPOP. INNOVATIVE: Journal of Social Science Research, 3(6), 9123–9132.

Cicchelli, V., Octobre, S., Katz?Gerro, T., Yodovich, N., Handy, F., & Ruiz, S. (2023). “Because we all love K?Pop”: How young adults reshape symbolic boundaries in Paris, Manchester, and Philadelphia. The British Journal of Sociology, 74(1), 17–34. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-4446.12983

Guerra, P., & Sousa, S. (2021). Ultimate bias. Memorabilia, K-pop and fandom identities. Cidades, AUTUMN, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.15847/cct.23948

Gündüz, U. (2017). The Effect of Social Media on Identity Construction. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 8(5), 85–92. https://doi.org/10.1515/mjss-2017-0026

Harwood, J. (2020). Social Identity Theory. In The International Encyclopedia of Media Psychology (pp. 1–7). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119011071.iemp0153

Husna, D. (2024). Heuristic political behavior in the 2024 presidential general election: Fandom humanies case study. Jurnal Inovasi Ilmu Sosial Dan Politik (JISoP), 6(1), 78–89. https://doi.org/10.33474/jisop.v6i1.21636

Ismail, U., & Khan, M. (2023). K-pop Fans Practices: Content Consumption to Participatory Approach. Global Digital & Print Media Review, VI(II), 238–250. https://doi.org/10.31703/gdpmr.2023(vi-ii).16

Kang, J., Park, E., Lee, M., Lee, M., Ko, M., & Han, J. (2019, May 2). Alliance for my idol: Analyzing the k-pop fandom collaboration network. Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.1145/3290607.3312906

Khotimah, N. (2021). Budaya Populer Dalam Perspektif Komunikasi Lintas Budaya. 43(1), 43.

Kim, J. (2017). K-Popping: Korean Women, K-Pop, and Fandom. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5pj4n52q

Kim, J. H., Kim, K. J., Park, B. T., & Choi, H. J. (2022). The Phenomenon and Development of K-Pop: The Relationship between Success Factors of K-Pop and the National Image, Social Network Service Citizenship Behavior, and Tourist Behavioral Intention. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/su14063200

Kim, J., Kim, Y., & Bak, J. (2024). KpopMT: Translation Dataset with Terminology for Kpop Fandom. http://arxiv.org/abs/2407.07413

Kim, M., & Kim, J. (2020). How does a celebrity make fans happy? Interaction between celebrities and fans in the social media context. Computers in Human Behavior, 111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2020.106419

Kim, P., & Hutt, E. (2021). K-pop as a Social Movement: Case Study of BTS and Their Fandom ARMY. Journal of Student Research, 10(3). www.JSR.org

Kurniasih, K. P., Mansoor, A. Z., & Mustikadara, I. S. (2024). Kajian Kampanye Organik Kpopfication “Aniesbubble” di Platform Twitter/X sebagai Ekspresi Partisipasi Anak Muda dalam Kampanye Pemilihan Presiden Indonesia 2024. Retorika: Jurnal Komunikasi, Sosial, Dan Ilmu Politik, 1(3), 1–13.

Laffan, D. A. (2020). Positive Psychosocial Outcomes and Fanship in K-Pop Fans: A Social Identity Theory Perspective. https://journals.sagepub.com/eprint/

Malhotra, N. K., & Dash, S. (2016). Marketing research?: an applied orientation. Pearson India Education Services.

Mercer, J. (2014). Feeling like a state: social emotion and identity. International Theory, 6(3), 515–535. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1752971914000244

Mohd Jenol, N. A., & Ahmad Pazil, N. H. (2020). Escapism and motivation: Understanding K-pop fans well-being and identity. Malaysian Journal of Society and Space, 16(4). https://doi.org/10.17576/geo-2020-1604-25

Nabila, H., Wiwoho, P., Mari’a, D. H., & Hanifah, N. (2024). Fenomena K-Pop di Indonesia Serta Implikasinya Terhadap Penguatan Rasa Cinta Tanah Air Gen-Z. Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin, 2(5), 212–220. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11392779

Neuendorf, K. A., & Kumar, A. (2016). Content Analysis. In The International Encyclopedia of Political Communication (pp. 1–10). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118541555.wbiepc065

Neuman, W. L. (2014). Social research methods?: qualitative and quantitative approaches. Pearson.

Oh, I., & Lee, H.-J. (2014). K-pop in Korea: How the Pop Music Industry Is Changing a Post-Developmental Society. Cross-Currents: East Asian History and Culture Review, 3(1), 72–93. https://doi.org/10.1353/ach.2014.0007

Parc, J., & Kim, Y. (2020). Analyzing the Reasons for the Global Popularity of BTS: A New Approach from a Business Perspective. Journal of International Business and Economy, 21(1), 15–36. https://doi.org/10.51240/jibe.2020.1.2

Riffe, D., Lacy Stephen, & Fico, F. (2014). ANALYZING MEDIA MESSAGES: USING QUANTITATIVE CONTENT ANALYSIS IN RESEARCH (Third Edition). Routledge.

Ruangguru. (2024, June 24). Jadwal Tayang Clash of Champions Minggu Ini! Https://Www.Ruangguru.Com/Blog/Clash-of-Champion-Ruangguru.

Samodra, F. P. (2024, June 30). Mengenal Peserta Clash of Champions, University War Versi Indonesia. Https://Www.Liputan6.Com/Hot/Read/5631569/Mengenal-Peserta-Clash-of-Champions-University-War-Versi-Indonesia.

Sun, M. (2020). K-pop fan labor and an alternative creative industry: A case study of GOT7 Chinese fans. Global Media and China, 5(4), 389–406. https://doi.org/10.1177/2059436420954588

Tajfel, H. (1974). Social identity and intergroup behaviour. Social Science Information, 13(2), 65–93. https://doi.org/10.1177/053901847401300204

Trinh, V. (2023). GLOBAL MARKETING OF THE KOREAN MUSIC INDUSTRY TURNS INTO GLOBAL MARKETING OF KOREA (Case Study: K-Pop group BTS).

White, M. D., & Marsh, E. E. (2006). Content Analysis: A Flexible Methodology. In Research Methods (Vol. 55, pp. 22–45).

Wicaksono, M. A., Patricia, A., & Maryana, D. (2021). PENGARUH FENOMENA TREN KOREAN WAVE DALAM PERKEMBANGAN FASHION STYLE DI INDONESIA. Desember, 2(2), 74.

Wulandari, N. D. (2023). The Fading of the Existence of Pancasila Values Towards the Rise of Korean Wave in Indonesia. Indonesian Journal of Pancasila and Global Constitutionalism, 2(1), 59–84. https://doi.org/10.15294/ijpgc.v2i1.65167

Yan, Q., & Yang, F. (2021). From parasocial to parakin: Co-creating idols on social media. New Media & Society, 23(9), 2593–2615. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444820933313

Yurcel, K., Arum Pramudita, S., & Tiffany Dison Haro, M. (2024). Analisis Penggunaan Akun X (Twitter) @aniesbubble Terhadap Perolehan Suara Paslon 01 Dalam Pemilu 2024. Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin, 3(7).