K-Pop Girlies: an Investigation into Photocard Collecting

The lived experiences of girlies have predominantly existed in the K-pop fandom space. However, girlies have long been ignored in academic spaces as their practices are seen as temporal, with effects limited to the fleeting nature of youth and popular culture. This qualitative thesis seeks to understand who K-pop girlies are and how their engagement in fandom spaces, including collecting photocards, shapes their life. Therefore, representing a crucial aspect of interpersonal communication and community crafting. Through qualitative interviews with 11 K-pop girlies and my own autoethnography, this thesis utilized a phenomenological approach to investigate three research questions attending to girlies, photocard collecting, and my own experiences as a BTS fan. Interviews were then subjected to thematic analysis. Specifically, to be a girlie, one must actively engage with a community, pass the vibe check, have a strong feminist collection, and demonstrate radical inclusivity. Photocard girlie practices specifically are shaped by love for their idols, the randomized nature of photocards, motivation to complete their collection, actively taking part in consumerism, and having an emotional connection to their photocards. This investigation into photocard collecting offered a unique insight into the communicative practices of girlies and the importance of physicality in fandom. Photocards provide a vehicle for the emotional intensity K-pop girlies have for their favorite artists. Looking forward, this thesis serves as the foundation for future K-pop consumption research and girlie studies, advancing scholarship centering girlie perspectives.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Alabama Libraries

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Hedberg, Natalie Renee

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Lefebvre, Leah

Contributors dc:contributor

• Pyle, Benjamin
• Vesey, Alyxandra

• autoethnography
• fandom
• girlie
• K-pop
• music
• phenomenology

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US, English

Dc Identifier Other

1052888

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ir.ua.edu:123456789/13809