Waving a Korean Flag

Between Hallyu, Fandom, and Nationalism

Abstract

This paper suggests a rethinking of the empirical focus of Hallyu fandom studies on a geographical logic of “Hallyu in place X.” Rather than understanding non-Korean Hallyu fans as representatives of their respective nations, I ask: “How do fans themselves use nation and nationalism to rationalize their motivations and identification routes?” To answer this question, I look at the configuration between Hallyu, fandom, and nationalism, in what I call fan nationalism—that is, when fans choose to wave a Korean flag to act as ambassadors, patriots, or political activists for the sake of their local communities, global issues, or even Korea itself. Akin to other long-distance nationalisms, fans negotiate their social position vis-à-vis their fandom, being emotionally invested in building their social capital and constructing transnational imagined communities beyond their existing geographical and national belongings. Such attempts at theorizing fan nationalism strive to shed brighter light on fans’ engagement and fascination with Korea’s underdog status in the world.