Middle-aged Malaysian women’s agency in participating in a K-pop fandom

Bibliographic Data

ID21874476
AuthorsSharmaine Loh (0000-0003-3769-5208, Monash University Malaysia, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume9
Issue2
Pages161-176
Publication date2021-06-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Journal of Fandom Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2046-6692 • E-ISSN: 2046-6706
PublisherIntellect (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1386/jfs_00039_1
OpenAlexW4285456771
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited8

This article discusses the fandom of Malaysian middle-aged women participating in a fandom of BIGBANG, a South Korean boy band. Fandom is conventionally assumed to target younger audiences, teenagers or young adults but this article showcase that this is not the case and there are fans of all ages. This is not only evident in the BIGBANG fandom but also observed in the Twilight and One Direction fandom. This article studies the agency displayed by these women and how they shape their fandom in respect of their identity as spouses, parents and daughters. I also review how they negotiate their personal relationship with their families, acquaintances and younger fans in the fandom. The patriarchy system, religion and social expectations each play a role in influencing these women’s engagement with the fandom. Research on older fans is neither common nor abundantly available, thus this article hopes to contribute to the current literature on fandom

Fandom · Media studies · Social science · Sociology · Asian Culture and Media Studies · Gender Studies · Islamic Finance and Communication · Socioeconomic Development in Asia

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