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Alma Licona

Judith R. McCann

English 1301 Section 129

9 September 2022

The Hidden Community of K-Pop

When people hear the word K-Pop, many immediately think of crazy fan girls and

worldwide star Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS). However, what if people found out that there is an

entire world hidden behind the stereotypes created by individuals? This world, which is available

on every platform possible, is the K-Pop community. The K-Pop community, via Twitter, is a

community in which many fans participate; through Twitter, these fans work together to share

their liked artists, help their artists acquire awards, and meet like-minded individuals.

To begin with, fans are the ones that help their favorite artist get recognition. When a K-

Pop artist is set to debut, their company releases pictures and teasers to build momentum.

However, a company can only do so much; this is where the fans step in. Those who have

accompanied the artist since their early days try their best to share the artist’s name. As the artist

gets recognized, more people pay attention to the debut; this means more views, recognition, and

more money. For instance, a fan on Twitter, which goes by @jeonshalaaa, posted a video of

three dancers dancing to Touch by Little Mix. Another user, that goes by @cyberxasexual,

responded to the tweet by saying, “for anyone who’s curious: they are part of KQ Fellaz 2, the

next boy group under KQ Entertainment.” As more people see this tweet, this upcoming boy

group gains more recognition.

Along with helping their favorite artist gain more recognition, fans also help acquire

more awards. During the months of November to December, fans can vote on Twitter for the

Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA). Fans vote by tweeting and posting hashtags like
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#MAMAVOTE. Take user @_minwonhoshiest as an example; this user tweeted, “I’m casting

my vote for the Powerhouse of K-pop Performance #seventeen for #MAMAVOTE, 2021

MAMA.” Other users, like @Lookatmy_iz, give free votes for other groups; this user tweeted,

“Round 5 of free #MAMAVOTE (voters must follow me! Non-following voters will be

removed!).” Under the tweet, they created a poll with diverse groups; fans could vote for the

group they preferred. The group who was chosen by the public would win free votes for MAMA.

Therefore, it is safe to say that fans put in effort into their objectives.

Moreover, a more personal objective fans have in this community is meeting like-minded

people. According to “Stereotypes around K-Pop music misinterpret fan’s perspective,” an

article found in OHS NOW, K-Pop fans cannot publicize their liking for K-Pop without a person

thinking it is gross. This is one of the main reasons why fans try to make friends with other K-

Pop fans via Twitter. For instance, Twitter user @yjwlovers_ tweeted, “Good day, I am Taro!

Not new to K-Pop but new to stan Twitter. He/him, 06 liner, looking for new interactive moots

from any fandom (specifically Enhypen, Treasure, Itzy, Twice, and NCT). Likes and retweets are

appreciated.” User @ENHYPEN_jiro responded to the tweet by saying, “Hi Taro! Let’s be

moots.” As the example demonstrates, fans write a few things about them and wait for replies;

they feel more comfortable around people who like the same things as them.

In summation, the K-Pop community is more than fan girls and worldwide star BTS.

Behind the stereotypes created by individuals there is a community that few people know of. Via

Twitter, the participants of this community work together to share their liked artists, help their

artists acquire awards, and meet like-minded individuals. The K-Pop community is not known by

many people, but it is a space used by many fans; it is a place where many fans are united and

work towards the goals they have.

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Works Cited

F [@jeonshalaaa]. “A kpop pre debut group danced touch, a timeless bop, Little Mix you will

always be famous.” Twitter, 31 August 2022,

twitter.com/jeonshalaaa/status/156501050377304

From Strictland, Jess [@cyberxasexual]. “For anyone who’s curious: they are part of KQ Fellaz

2, The next boy group under KQ Entertainment.” Twitter, 31 August 2022,

twitter.com/cyberxasexual/status/156512328928195

Ia, Mina [@_minwonhoshiest]. “Day 2 I’m casting my vote for the Powerhouse of Kpop

Performance #seventeen for #MAMAVOTE, 2021 MAMA. This is my valid vote for

today feel free to drop yours.” Twitter, 5 November 2021,

twitter.com/_minwonhoshiest/status/145652532126463

Archive, Hyemu [@Lookatmy_iz]. “Round 5 of free #MAMAVOTE (voters must follow me!

Non-following voters will be removed!) #seventeen #enhypen #ateez #theboyz #aespa

#kpop #Mama2021 #MAMA #MAMA2021 #MAMAVOTE #MNET #VOTE” Twitter,

29 November 2021, twitter.com/Lookatmy_iz/status/146553925085043

Daryadel, Nikita “Stereotypes around K-Pop music misinterpret fan’s perspective” Oviedo

Journalism (2019)

Taro [@yjwlovers_]. “Good day, I am taro! Not new to K-pop but new to stan twt. He/him, 06

liner, looking for new interactive moots from any fandom (specifically enhypen, treasure,

itzy, twice, and NCT). Likes and rts are appreciated” Twitter, 3 September 2022,

twitter.com/yjwlovers_/status/156610438770067

IA, Jiro [@ENHYPEN_jiro]. “Hi taro! Let's be moots” Twitter, 3 September 2022,

twitter.com/enhypen_jiro/status/156610502233670