Patterson, MattKuk, Bryan Cho Hang2021-08-302021-08-302021-08-23Kuk, B. C. H. (2021). Bridging The Boundaries of Genres, Culture, and Language in North American K-Pop Fandom (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.http://hdl.handle.net/1880/113782K-pop is currently one of the most popular genres of music in the world. K-pop is not the first Korean product to make it over to North America, but rather, it is an extension of the “Hallyu”, a term coined by scholars to describe the period where there was an increase in Korean exports. Korea reverses the usual flow of cultural diffusion, competing with major cultural exports such as North America, Europe, and Japan through the exportation and diffusion of K-pop (Choi and Maliangkay 2015). Existing research shows that K-pop has established a following in North America and across the globe in places such as Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East. Inspired by DeNora's (2000) focus on music and identity, this research examines how consumers engage in the consumption of K-pop through qualitative interviews with self-proclaimed fans. This is to observe why North American fans consume a product that is external to their culture, and how is consuming K-pop related to identity construction and distinction from other fans. Building off previous research that did not include how the Korean language affects K-pop consumption, this study bridges the gap through the addition of a sample comparison between English and Korean-speaking audiences to observe themes and patterns of consumption practices. First, K-pop’s appeal is tied to its ability to transcend the boundaries of genre and media, which can procure fans from a wide range of interests. Second, K-pop consumption is an expression of cosmopolitan identity. Third, K-pop fandom is a subcultural community, and its members conduct a variety of fandom practices, deal with potential stigma, and distinguish themselves from extreme or obsessive fans known as “sasaengs”. The thesis ends with examining possible ways to improve the study and how it can be replicated to expand upon existing literature in the sociology of culture and K-pop studies.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.SociologySociology of CulturePopular CultureFandomMusicBoundariesConsumptionSubculturesMusicEducation--Sociology ofAnthropology--CulturalSociologymaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/39132