Pop Culture Research Articles

Korean Wave's Influence on BT21 Purchases in Indonesia

The influence of Korean Wave Brand Ambassadors and Influencers on purchasing decisions for BIS "BT21" products was examined in this study. Korean Wave, a phenomenon of Korean pop culture, has significantly impacted global markets. Companies leverage this trend to boost product sales through brand ambassadors and influencers. Despite its popularity, the specific impact on consumer purchasing decisions remains underexplored. This study aims to fill this gap by analyzing the effects of Korean Wave, Brand Ambassadors, and Influencers on BT21 product purchasing decisions in Sidoarjo, East Java. Using a quantitative approach, the research sampled 96 consumers who have purchased BT21 products, employing the Lemeshow formula for sampling. Data were collected through a questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale and analyzed using SmartPLS version 3.0 software. The results indicated that the Korean Wave positively and significantly influences purchasing decisions for BT21 products. Similarly, Brand Ambassadors and Influencers also have a positive and significant impact on purchasing decisions. The findings suggest that the Korean Wave, alongside strategic use of Brand Ambassadors and Influencers, can effectively enhance consumer loyalty and boost product sales. These results have important implications for marketing strategies, particularly in leveraging cultural phenomena and influential figures to drive consumer behavior. Highlight: Significant Impact: Korean Wave, Brand Ambassadors, and Influencers significantly influence BT21 purchasing decisions. Quantitative Analysis: Study used quantitative methods and SmartPLS software for data analysis. Marketing Strategies: Findings highlight the importance of leveraging cultural trends and influential figures in marketing. Keywoard: Korean Wave, Brand Ambassadors, Influencers, BT21, Consumer Behavior

Divergent Approaches to Disseminating Pop Culture in China and Korea

China and South Korea, two of the most influential countries in Asia, boast highly popular pop cultures that resonate both across Asia and globally. While Chinese and Korean pop culture shares similarities, there are also notable differences in their modes of dissemination. Previous studies have analyzed the dissemination of pop culture within individual countries, but there is still a research gap on the differences between these two countries. Therefore, this paper seeks to explore the variations in how pop culture spreads in China and Korea, as well as their implications. The paper adopts the methods of literature review and comparative analysis to compare the ways of popular culture dissemination in China and South Korea in terms of media platforms, marketing strategies, cultural exchanges and integration, and the roles of their respective states. The paper argues that the differences in popular culture dissemination between China and Korea mainly manifest in the following aspects: different channels and modes of dissemination, distinct definitions and scopes of popular culture, as well as variations in audiences and influences. Many factors can influence the spread of popular culture, such as social environment, technology level, and political system.

Opini Publik Followers Instagram Volix Media sebagai Media Pemenuhan Kebutuhan Informasi Publik

This article aims to evaluate public opinion, specifically the followers of Instagram Volix Media, regarding the extent to which the information presented meets their needs. The issue under scrutiny pertains to Instagram Volix Media, which has been providing diverse information about Indonesian pop culture, music, film, artists, news, art, and little-known culture since 2021. To approach this issue, Cutlip & Center's theory on the characteristics of public opinion is employed, encompassing five dimensions: direction, intensity, stability, informational support, and social support. Data were collected by distributing questionnaires to 100 respondents who are followers of Instagram Volix Media. The data were analyzed using a quantitative approach and descriptive methods.The results indicate that the dimension of informational support received the highest average score, suggesting that respondents have more information on the issues presented. However, the dimension of social support received the lowest average score, indicating a lack of perceived support from others regarding the opinions expressed. This article concludes that Instagram Volix Media exhibits a positive direction of opinion, with the majority of respondents agreeing that the information presented meets the needs of public information.

Research on Market Competition and Cooperation Opportunities in the Cultural Industries of China, Japan, and Korea

With the deep development of global cultural exchange, the cultural industry, as an important manifestation of soft power, has become a focus of competition among countries. China, Japan, and Korea, geographically close with rich cultural traditions, each have their distinctive cultural industries that have developed rapidly, forming their unique competitive advantages. Japan, with its exquisite craftsmanship and innovative thinking, leads in fields such as animation and design, and its cultural products are beloved by consumers worldwide. Korea has opened up international markets with its innovative production and marketing strategies in pop culture and film, becoming a new force in the global cultural industry. China, with its long history and rich cultural resources, has made significant achievements in investment and creation in the cultural industry in recent years, becoming a global cultural industry hub. However, with the increasing openness of the cultural market and intensified competition, the cultural industries of China, Japan, and Korea face unprecedented challenges. How to further enhance market competitiveness and explore international markets while maintaining their own characteristics has become a focus of attention for the cultural industries and governments of the three countries. Through strengthening cooperation and exchange, the cultural industries of China, Japan, and Korea can certainly shine brighter in the global market, making greater contributions to the cultural prosperity of Asia and the world.

Analysis of Korean Pop Music: The Enlightenment for Chinese Pop Music

Since the 21st century, Korean pop music, represented by TV dramas, music, movies, fashion products, and other cultural forms, has spread widely worldwide. 2012 when Psys Gangnam style swept the globe, Jay Chou, a representative figure of the Chinese music scene, said, Dont let the K-pop become more and more arrogant, the Chinese Chinese pop music is the best. However, is this the case? In 2022, the value of the cultural industry represented by the Korean Wave accounted for 18% of South Koreas GDP, nearly $320 billion (Qiu 2014). China and South Korea are culturally similar and belong to the same East Asian region, so the spread of Korean pop music in China is also of some reference significance. This paper will take BlackPink as a case study and analyze why K-pop has gained tremendous popularity worldwide by combining music characteristics, team characteristics, and marketing strategy. It will then explore the way of overseas global marketing of Chinese pop culture to maintain the features and style of Chinese culture while spreading Chinese pop culture to the world and expand the vision of cross-cultural marketing of Chinese pop music by learning from the Korean market, to provide a reference basis for the cross-cultural marketing of Chinas contemporary pop music and fill the blank of transnational cultural dissemination of Chinese pop music.

Improvising Kanak Sprak: Feridun Zaimoğlu’s Freestyle Forms and the Politics of Belonging

Public discourse often excludes the erroneous speech of migratory subjects, thus foreclosing social and political rapprochement. This paper argues that the position outside of pregiven, linguistic norms provides migratory speech with an improvisatory quality that can serve as a catalyst for community formation. Simulating freestyle forms in writing, Feridun Zaimoğlu’s Kanak Sprak seeks to find a new language for the critique of xenophobia and to establish belonging based on precarious conditions. In a close reading of Fikret’s monologue “Pity is that true vitamin,” I show how improvisation disrupts established discourses and transforms the meaning of conventional hate speech tropes to forge transethnic alliances. The paper then turns to the subsequent volume Koppstoff and problematizes the commodification of Kanak speech in neoliberal pop culture. Çağıl’s monologue “If you’re smart, you take our side” hints at a different understanding of improvisation that reframes the relation between mainstream society and its others. Drawing on critical improvisation studies, the paper contributes to the understanding of linguistic interventions into social orders that determine who can say what, in which speech form, and according to which norms of belonging.

Improvising Kanak Sprak: Feridun Zaimoğlu’s Freestyle Forms and the Politics of Belonging

Public discourse often excludes the erroneous speech of migratory subjects, thus foreclosing social and political rapprochement. This paper argues that the position outside of pregiven, linguistic norms provides migratory speech with an improvisatory quality that can serve as a catalyst for community formation. Simulating freestyle forms in writing, Feridun Zaimoğlu’s Kanak Sprak seeks to find a new language for the critique of xenophobia and to establish belonging based on precarious conditions. In a close reading of Fikret’s monologue “Pity is that true vitamin,” I show how improvisation disrupts established discourses and transforms the meaning of conventional hate speech tropes to forge transethnic alliances. The paper then turns to the subsequent volume Koppstoff and problematizes the commodification of Kanak speech in neoliberal pop culture. Çağıl’s monologue “If you’re smart, you take our side” hints at a different understanding of improvisation that reframes the relation between mainstream society and its others. Drawing on critical improvisation studies, the paper contributes to the understanding of linguistic interventions into social orders that determine who can say what, in which speech form, and according to which norms of belonging.

Lessons From Dragons: Teaching Political Science With HBO’s House of the Dragon

Since first airing on HBO in 2011, Game of Thrones (GOT) has proven to be a fruitful text for teaching and studying politics. In 2022 the prequal to GOT—House of The Dragon (HOTD) debuted on HBO. This paper conducts discourse analysis on the entire first season with two goals in mind. First, we demonstrate how pop culture is impacted by real world politics by examining the change in gender and racial representation in HOTD compared to GOT and argue that this change was a product of cultural backlash that GOT received and a result of changing political attitudes over the time of both shows airing. Second, we use the show’s content as text to teach American and Comparative politics concepts. In the appendix we provide three examples of low, mid, and high-stake assignments that use show content in teaching political science courses.

„The Gender Reassignment” Controversy - Between Affirmation and Kind Restraining

The review article presents the phenomenon of transsexualism through the prism of the etiology, scale and dynamics of the phenomenon as well as the most controversial social consequences concerning "sex change" and the acceptance or non-acceptance of voluntary personal forms adopted by children and adolescents. Review of contemporary literature, analysis of positions on the issues of the so-called gender changes (gender reassignment, gender matching). The text shows the evolution of understanding of gender identity disorders in the ICD-10 and DSM-5 classifications as well as the controversy related to the tendencies depathologizing gender inconsistency in the ICD-11. Looking at the etiological issues we present an attempt of in-depth psychological analyzes as opposed to the dominant, reductive medical approach. In the text, we also recall the basic developmental regularities of children and adolescents, often overlooked in discussions on transsexualism. The basic developmental regularities of children and adolescents, often overlooked in discussions on transsexualism, were also reminded. As the review of the data shows the rapid increase in gender identity disorders in recent years, their pronunciation leads to emphasizing the growing role of pop culture influences on young people. There is also a lack of research on the use of puberty blockers in children/adolescents - their introduction appears to be an experiment with, in fact, unknown consequences. The analysis of developmental regularities, the transience of dysphoric tendencies and the lack of reliable scientific data on the use of puberty blockers and the consequences of taking hormones of the opposite sex lead to the conclusion that accepting voluntary personal forms proposed by children/teenagers is premature.

The Role of Culture Power: Examining the Influence of Popular Culture in Shaping Global Power Dynamics

Establishing a causal link between popular culture and global power dynamics is challenging as it does not produce tangible outcomes. There is a lack of academic consensus on whether cultural power equates to soft power despite the growing influence of the media and entertainment industry. Considering popular culture a soft power in cultural diplomacy, this article examines the changing paradigms of content moderation and regional lockout in the global power dynamics through case studies of the Korean wave, American Pop culture, and Japanese Manga and Anime. It uses the Saunders Research Onion method with an interpretive approach to subjectively explore the aspects of cultural influence. Similarly, it analyses the evolution of recurring themes in the case studies. Data collection employs a longitudinal approach to study the impact of technology and changing audience preferences. The primary data sources include expert interviews, supplemented by secondary sources such as relevant literature, reports, and media contents. The findings highlight that cultural diplomacy as a softpower approach effectively contributes to the nation-branding concept that now incorporates new demands, actions, and goals.

Scripted resonance or lost in translation?: Storytelling and Chinese reception of Everything Everywhere All at Once

This study delves into the intricate art of screenwriting by critically examining the reception of the 2023 award-winning film, Everything Everywhere All at Once, among Chinese audiences. Notwithstanding its international laurels, Everything has sparked a divided sentiment in Mainland China. While its audacious blend of genres and the poignant depiction of Chinese–American experiences have been recognized, Everything was absent from Chinese theatres, owing to its explicit content. However, its digital footprint on Chinese streaming platforms has painted a picture of ambivalence. Many Chinese viewers expressed reservations about the screenwriters’ frequent use of pop culture references, perceived narrative clichés and the incorporation of elements that seem discordant with conventional Chinese storytelling. Yet, interspersed among these critiques is admiration for its visual brilliance and inclusivity. Grounded in resonance theory, this study scrutinizes Everything, particularly the screenplay’s reliance on the oft-touted ‘universal’ blueprint of the Hero’s Journey. Aligning with critiques suggesting such frameworks might be culturally myopic, this study connects these screenwriting choices to the lukewarm reception among Chinese audiences. Through this lens, the study offers invaluable insights for screenwriters keen on crafting narratives that resonate deeply with Chinese viewers. Moreover, it adds to the larger conversation about the need for diversifying screenwriting templates on the global stage, challenging the dominance of western-centric paradigms such as the Hero’s Journey. At its core, this study deciphers the intricate tapestry of screenwriting elements that strike a chord within the Chinese sociocultural milieu.

Study on the Image Construction of Korean Popular Talk Show Variety Artists

As an extremely important part of the development of Korean pop culture represented by the Korean "idol" industry, the artiste image is supported and loved by a wide range of fans for its strong style, vibrant and visually appealing, and trend-setting beauty. As an entertainment medium in the new era, variety shows have also made a significant contribution to the development of the Korean cultural industry. Therefore, the image construction method that takes "the contrast of the artist's image" as the main entry point can maximally amplify the artist's own charismatic focus under the angle of variety show shooting, especially under the interview nature of the conversation camera, which not only allows the audience to understand and comprehend the artist, but also gives the artist a space for better emotional communication with the fans. It also gives the artiste a space to communicate with their fans emotionally.

Read like a man: comparing narratives of masculinity in adolescent literature.

Recent movements like #MeToo and #TimesUp have surfaced and challenged ideas about masculinity in popular conversations. In particular, these ideas have centered around "toxic masculinity"-a version of masculinity that reflects stereotyped, dated, and even dangerous expectations for manhood. This notion of masculinity can be reinforced in a number of ways, especially through pop culture, where it runs the risk of becoming commonly accepted or normalized. This study evaluates the narratives of masculinity in three different novels that are marketed toward high school-aged students in the United States: Lord of the Flies; Gabi, A Girl in Pieces; and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. Using a critical literacy lens, this study considers the symbols, behaviors, expectations, and meanings given to masculinity in and through each novel and considers the implications of this analysis for adolescent readership inside and outside of schooling. The study concludes that the more contemporary novels showcase a range of masculine portrayals, including positive, affirming versions of masculinity, compared to a more singular and pessimistic one found in a novel traditionally used in schools. Thus, the study concludes that formal schooling may be an important way to address and disrupt unhealthy versions of masculinity.

The Royal Treatment

The Royal Treatment

Impact of the Pandemic on Event Tourism: The Resilience of Japanese Pop Culture Events

Using a theoretical framework that recognises the pervasive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global tourism and events, this study examines the unique complexities of Japanese pop culture events. These events, characterised by their ability to attract large audiences, especially enthusiastic youth, have traditionally flourished through interpersonal interactions. This discrepancy between the interactive nature of events and pandemic-induced measures has necessitated fundamental changes in event management strategies. However, pandemic responses and restrictions contrasted sharply with the nature of these events, posing significant challenges for event organisers. This study analyses qualitative data from seven semi-structured interviews with Japanese theme researchers, journalists, and representatives of the main events on the theme in four countries. The pandemic crisis clearly affected Japanese pop culture events, which were among the most frequently suspended. The interviewees believe that it is easy to return to the normalcy of face-to-face events because the audience for these events is predominantly young and enthusiastic, but this requires adaptations and the care that each country demands. This research sheds light on both the difficulties and setbacks that Japanese pop culture events face, as well as their ability to endure and adjust in response to difficult circumstances. By shedding insight into the complex dynamics and demographic characteristics of these events, it also enables event organisers and policymakers to develop strategies to facilitate the safe and successful recovery of similar events in the future. In addition to connecting with other studies in the event sector, this research contributes to the body of knowledge needed to develop effective responses to unforeseen obstacles by shedding light on exceptional events and their potential resilience pathways.

Chicanx utopias: Pop culture and the politics of the possible By LuisAlvarez, Austin: University of Texas Press. 2022

Chicanx utopias: Pop culture and the politics of the possible By LuisAlvarez, Austin: University of Texas Press. 2022

Chicanx Utopias: Pop Culture and the Politics of the Possible

Chicanx Utopias: Pop Culture and the Politics of the Possible

Beatboxing: Teaching technical acoustical concepts through pop culture

The motivation for this presentation is to demonstrate that vocal percussion, or “beatboxing,” can be a rich method of teaching and demonstrating various introductory acoustical concepts. Beatboxing can be an entertaining way to demonstrate the different acoustical sources of energy—namely burst, noise, and voice—and how they can be combined to create familiar and unfamiliar phonemes, such as the “PF” snare. It also provides an engaging way to introduce the anatomy of the vocal tract as the students can see and hear how vibrating different parts of the mouth and throat (e.g., vocal cords, epiglottis, vestibular folds, lips, etc.) alter the sound. Finally, beatboxing can be used to demonstrate the source-filter model of speech production through altering the sound source in the throat and displaying how to change your mouth shape to produce different formant-altering effects, such as the rapid formant shifting that gives a record scratch its characteristic sound. Beatboxing provides an entertaining and effective way to demonstrate technical concepts to students in an artistic format which captures the attention, especially of younger audiences. [Undergraduate research supported by the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, at Brigham Young University.]

Chicanx Utopias: Pop culture and the politics of the possible

Chicanx Utopias: Pop culture and the politics of the possible

The digitally manipulated family photograph: MyHeritage’s ‘Deep Nostalgia’, and the extended temporality of the photographic image

This article examines how the digitally manipulated family photograph functions as a means of understanding the temporal instability of the use and interpretations of photographic images. It begins by taking a close look at scholarly debates on how ‘credible’ the documentary value of a still photograph is, as well as how it is able to emotionally resonate with spectators. From this discussion, it becomes important to look at a key example of how an image can produce an emotional effect on a viewer; in this case, photographs of individuals’ deceased family members. While exploring how this allows the spectator to reconnect with their relatives, it is also crucial to acknowledge that readings of images like these are often determined by reductive interpretations of their stillness. As the consideration of photographs as ‘documents’ has been contested for an extensive amount of time, it is illuminating to turn to the properties of digital photography by inspecting the photo manipulation feature ‘Deep Nostalgia’ on the MyHeritage app that circulated around TikTok in 2021. I look at a YouTube compilation of people reacting to seeing photographs of their family manipulated in a way that gives the impression that they are moving and emoting, alongside discussions about this in recent pop culture articles. By taking a Barthesian reading of the extended temporality of these family photographs, it is important to recognise that the connection between the subject and the image is severed both iconically and indexically from its original context. However, by understanding this photographic image in the context of being digital it must be understood differently. I will therefore use the MyHeritage phenomenon as a means of arguing that the digital image is not inferior to the ‘realism’ of analogue photography and must, instead, be read in relation to the history of technological change.