Strategic Nationalism in Transnational Fandom: Comparing Chinese Fans of South Korean Politicians and Pop Idols

Abstract

This study conducts a comparative analysis of transnational fandoms of South Korean politicians (K-pol) and Korean-pop (K-pop) in China, focusing on the interaction between patriotism and fan culture. Drawing on over three years of participant observation in these online communities, the research employs a comparative case study of the two fan communities to examine how fans navigate nationalist discourses and mobilize patriotic sentiment. Findings indicate that while K-pol and K-pop fandoms display distinct patterns of engagement and defensive behaviors, nationalism is frequently transformed and instrumentalized. Fans strategically deploy patriotic sentiment to assert moral or discursive authority, challenge opposing fandoms, and reinforce community identity, rather than expressing consistent ideological commitment. The study further reveals that K-pol fandom tends to base nationalist sentiment on historical knowledge and political positions, fostering more rationalized engagement, whereas K-pop fandom relies more on emotional and symbolic cues. Overall, the research demonstrates that digital media and fan culture enable fans to actively negotiate, reinterpret, and leverage nationalism within transnational contexts. By juxtaposing political and pop-cultural fandoms, this study contributes to a nuanced understanding of how patriotic engagement is mediated by fan practices, highlighting broader implications for transnational cultural flows and political identity formation.