ANTHMETHGRP4-2425-MIAORAN-YE

[Last modified: December, 8 2024 08:42 PM]

Topic: The Emotional Support Role of Fan-made Dolls in Fan Culture

Research Question:

How do fan-made dolls reflect fan culture and shape human emotions and community relationships within fandoms?

Introduction:

This research explores the emotional and cultural significance of fan-made dolls, particularly those representing Korean idols. Fans often carry these dolls on trips, dine with them, and create playful photos and videos, treating the dolls as stand-ins for their idols. This phenomenon raises several questions: Why are fans willing to invest in unofficial merchandise? How does the materiality of these dolls, such as their plush, soft textures, contribute to their emotional appeal compared to mass-produced, rigid plastic toys? Additionally, how does the circulation of these non-official items reflect broader critiques of consumer culture? Are fans caught in a cycle of consumption driven by celebrity worship and the dynamics of fan culture?

These questions are central to understanding how objects serve as emotional support systems, sensory touchpoints, and symbols of community within fandoms. By examining these dimensions, this study aims to provide insights into the intersections of materiality, emotion, and consumption in contemporary fan culture.

Research Methods:

1. Online Questionnaire:

• Purpose: To reach a broader audience and capture diverse experiences and attitudes regarding fan-made dolls.
• Process: Questionnaires will be distributed in online fan-culture groups. Respondents who express interest in further participation will be selected for in-depth semi-structured interviews and observations.

2. Interviews and Observations:

• London Fan Communities: Joining offline fan communities in London to observe their interactions with dolls and their emotional and cultural attitudes toward these objects.
• Semi-Structured Interviews: Conducting interviews with 10 participants (5 online, 5 offline) to explore questions such as why they purchase dolls, how they acquire them, and how the dolls influence their emotional well-being and daily lives.

3. Multimodal Ethnography:

• Offline Engagements: Using photographs, videos, and other recording methods during fan gatherings to document interactions with dolls.
• Interview Documentation: Employing audio or video recordings during semi-structured interviews to capture nuanced expressions (with participants’ consent).
• Online Observations: Utilizing screen recordings during online interviews to document how fans discuss and demonstrate activities related to their dolls, such as cleaning, dressing, and decorating them.
• Purpose: These multimodal methods aim to highlight details and behaviors that might be overlooked in textual ethnographic accounts.

4. Sensory and Material Analysis:

• Investigating the tactile qualities of these dolls, such as their plush, comforting textures, and how they compare to other idol merchandise in fostering emotional connections.
• Analyzing visual and material content, including photos and videos, to understand how fans present these dolls in everyday activities and symbolic contexts.

Ethical Considerations:

1. Informed Consent:

• All participants will be fully informed about the research purpose, methods, and potential uses of the data. They will sign consent forms prior to participation, ensuring voluntary involvement.

2. Data Protection:

• Participants’ privacy will be strictly protected through anonymization of all data. Personal identifiers will not appear in the research outputs.

3. Reflexivity:

• The researcher will continuously reflect on their positionality and power dynamics throughout the research process, ensuring transparency and fairness in interactions with participants.
• Attention will be given to how the researcher’s own background and biases may shape interpretations and engagement, fostering a collaborative and respectful approach.

Potential Findings:

This research is expected to uncover multiple dimensions of fan-made dolls in fan culture:

1. Emotional Significance:

Fan-made dolls are likely to act as emotional surrogates, offering a sense of comfort and intimacy. Their soft, huggable textures may enhance their role as emotional anchors compared to less tactile merchandise.

2. Community and Belonging:

Dolls facilitate fan recognition and bonding, creating shared experiences and fostering a sense of belonging within fan communities. Public displays of these dolls may serve as markers of group identity, encouraging interactions among fans.

3. Consumption and Agency:

The unofficial nature of these dolls challenges traditional consumption models, reflecting both resistance to and complicity in consumer culture. Fans’ investment in these items may reveal deeper entanglements with celebrity-driven consumerism, posing critical questions about the agency of fans within these dynamics.

Conclusion:

Fan-made dolls transcend their role as mere idol representations, becoming objects imbued with emotional, sensory, and cultural meaning. Through the lens of sensory anthropology, the study highlights how tactile qualities influence emotional attachments. By examining these dolls as products of both individual and collective consumption, the research will contribute to broader discussions on material culture, sensory experiences, and the intersections of identity and consumerism in fandom.

[Last modified: December, 1 2024 10:59 PM]

As a member of the Anthropology Ethics Committee, my advice to the student focuses on addressing the ethical and procedural concerns arising from the proposed research project at the refuge for domestic violence survivors in Pakistan.

The project involves significant ethical considerations, primarily regarding informed consent, privacy, and the sensitivity of the topic. While the woman’s enthusiasm to share her story is acknowledged, the absence of documented informed consent is problematic. Consent must be fully informed, voluntary, and explicitly documented, ensuring participants understand how their data will be used. Given the potential implications of publicly sharing a survivor’s identity, including risks to safety and emotional well-being, the researcher must adopt anonymization unless participants explicitly request otherwise, supported by written, informed consent.

The handling of sensitive personal data necessitates strict adherence to data protection principles, including confidentiality, secure storage, and limited access. The student must ensure compliance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and similar local laws. Data should be anonymized during analysis and dissemination to safeguard participant identities. Clear protocols for data retention and deletion must be established and communicated to participants.

The unequal power dynamic between the student and the participants, who are vulnerable survivors of abuse, requires careful consideration. Survivors may feel pressured to participate due to the perceived authority or position of the student. To mitigate this, the student must emphasize that participation is entirely voluntary and will not affect the support or services they receive from the refuge. A neutral third party should facilitate the informed consent process to reduce potential coercion.

The participants are unquestionably vulnerable, and the subject matter is highly sensitive. The research must prioritize a trauma-informed approach, ensuring that interviews are conducted with sensitivity and without causing further harm. Collaborating with the NGO’s counselors or mental health professionals during the research process may help mitigate potential distress for participants.

Given the vulnerability of the participants and the sensitive nature of the research, this project should be considered high-risk and referred to the UCL Research Ethics Committee (REC) for thorough review. The REC’s guidance will ensure compliance with UCL’s high ethical standards and applicable international guidelines, such as the Declaration of Helsinki.

In summary, the student must prioritize participant safety and autonomy, ensure robust data protection, and mitigate power imbalances. Ethical approval should only be granted after these measures are clearly addressed and verified.

[Last modified: November, 24 2024 02:23 AM]

This Friday, my group and I conducted a 15-minute sensory fieldwork session in Gordon Square. The weather was sunny yet cold, with crisp and dry air that heightened our awareness of the surroundings. We walked through the square, feeling the satisfying crunch of fallen leaves underfoot, observing pigeons busily foraging, and watching squirrels nimbly eating food high in the trees. The light filtered gently through the canopy, creating patches of warmth on the otherwise chilly ground, which added a contrast to the crispness of the air.

To document these experiences, we captured videos and live photos, focusing on both the sounds and visuals of the square. One striking example was the sound of crunching leaves. When we shared these recordings with other groups, this sound evoked a shared memory of stepping on leaves, creating a sensory connection between sound, touch, and the overall experience.

After exploring the square, we entered the park café, where the atmosphere changed entirely. The air was rich with the aromas of cinnamon and chocolate, which we all instinctively associated with warmth and comfort. This led to a reflective discussion about how certain smells, like cinnamon and cocoa, are strongly linked to winter foods and cozy moments. These associations are not just sensory but cultural, rooted in shared experiences of winter traditions and seasonal habits. We considered how scents like these become symbolic of warmth, even though they do not physically alter the temperature.

This sensory fieldwork also reminded me of a conversation I had with a friend a few days ago. She asked me, “What colour do you think London is?” This question touched on synesthesia—how our senses inform and connect with our perceptions. I replied that I see London as a warm yellow, even though it’s often rainy and cold. To me, it isn’t a bleak or harsh city. My friend agreed, and we reflected that perhaps it’s because we tend to stay indoors on rainy days and only venture out during sunny spells. These sensory experiences shape our memories, and when we recall London, it’s through a lens of warm, sunny streets rather than gray, rainy skies. I find this interplay between sensory input and perception fascinating.

From this exercise, I realized how sensory observations can be effectively communicated using multimodal methods. Videos and sounds work well together to recreate spatial awareness; for instance, our video provided not only the sounds of the square but also a visual map of the environment. Sounds, such as crunching leaves, triggered immediate tactile memories, while visuals helped establish a context. Smells, however, are harder to document but play a critical role in creating emotional and sensory depth.

[Last modified: November, 17 2024 11:57 PM]

Handshaking is a ubiquitous social gesture that embodies the reciprocal relationship between the body and society. It is not only a physical act but also a deeply symbolic one that reveals how cultural norms and social interactions are experienced through the body. This practice offers a lens to examine how social environments shape bodily behaviours and how the body, in turn, interprets and expresses those influences.

In daily life, handshakes serve various social functions. They are used to greet others, establish rapport, or signal agreement, such as during introductions, business deals, or moments of reconciliation. Anthropologically, this gesture reflects what Thomas Csordas describes as “the body as a site of lived experience,” where physical actions are imbued with cultural meaning. For instance, in many societies, the firmness of a handshake signifies confidence, while a limp handshake might be interpreted as a lack of engagement. Such embodied practices are shaped by societal expectations and norms, illustrating how the body becomes a medium for communicating social values.

In our seminar discussion, we explored the nuances of handshaking across cultures. For example, in many Asian societies, handshakes tend to be softer, reflecting values of humility and respect, while in Western cultures, a strong grip may indicate strength and decisiveness. Furthermore, the gesture’s social implications can differ significantly. In China or Japan, a two-handed handshake between a man and a woman might be perceived as intimate or romantic, suggesting the influence of cultural frameworks on interpreting bodily actions. These differences highlight how societal contexts shape not only the performance of handshakes but also their emotional and symbolic significance.

The reciprocal relationship between the body and society extends to interactions with objects. As Juhani Pallasmaa notes in The Thinking Hand, “grasping a door handle is akin to the hand shaking hands with the door handle.” This metaphor emphasizes how the body feels and interprets its environment through touch, suggesting that even mundane gestures like opening a door are shaped by and embedded within cultural practices.

Taking handshaking as a starting point, we can consider how the body feels and performs social expectations. What does it feel like to participate in a handshake? The warmth of another’s palm, the strength of their grip, or the duration of the interaction all create a sensory experience that is interpreted socially and emotionally. This act encapsulates how societal norms influence bodily behaviour while allowing the body to mediate and negotiate these norms in everyday contexts.

[Last modified: November, 4 2024 12:33 AM]

My recent research project is exploring fan-made dolls of Korean idols within Chinese fan culture, there are embedded political dimensions that relate to identity, consumerism, and emotional relationships within the context of globalization. The project examines how these dolls, representing Korean idols, serve as conduits for emotional connection and identity formation among fans, but this phenomenon also intersects with political questions around cultural appropriation, soft power, and the commercialization of fan identities. As these dolls are modeled after Korean celebrities and consumed within China, this cross-cultural engagement reflects the broader dynamics of Korean pop culture’s influence as a “soft power” tool. This has left many Chinese fans with doubts about their loyalty to their country, some stuffy people think that this is a lack of confidence to their own culture.

My own positionality as a fan of Korean idols impacts the project’s political dimensions. Being immersed in this community, I am sympathetic to the emotional connections fans form with their idols and dolls, which may lead me to focus on positive aspects and overlook potentially problematic elements, such as the commodification of emotional connections or the reinforcement of particular gendered expectations within fan culture. My assumption that fans primarily carry these dolls for emotional comfort may bias the project towards interpreting this activity as personal rather than as politically or commercially influenced. Recognizing this bias encourages me to approach the research with a critical eye on how fan practices may be influenced by or resist commercial and cultural pressures.

Politically, my findings could highlight both the empowerment of fans through creative expression and the potential for commercialization to shape and exploit fan identities. If I focus solely on the positive aspects, there is a risk of inadvertently supporting the commodification of intimate experiences, reinforcing the idea that emotional fulfillment can and should be bought. To navigate these implications, my methods need to incorporate reflexivity, ensuring I account for diverse fan experiences and recognize instances where fans may resist commercialization. Additionally, exploring varying interpretations and avoiding homogenized conclusions about why fans engage with these dolls will add depth to the analysis.

In terms of ethical adaptation, I should prioritize the anonymity and agency of participants, particularly if discussing political and economic influences on their identities. By presenting a nuanced picture that recognizes both empowering and commercial aspects, my research can contribute responsibly to discussions about fan culture, emotional consumption, and the political influence of cross-cultural fandom, ultimately providing insights that respect fans’ autonomy while acknowledging the broader implications of their choices.

[Last modified: October, 27 2024 07:11 PM]

I was wandering around campus, searching for moments where people gathered in interesting ways. As I reached the pizza shop tucked under the archway at the back of the main campus, a lively scene caught my attention. Groups of students were scattered around the area, they huddled, ordered pizzas and chatted while they waited. The casual social energy in the air was magnetic; this simple shop had become a social hub.

With pizzas in hand, people moved from the shop to the open grass in the garden. Boxes were opened, and inside each was a pizza already cut into eight pieces. I watched people sat together, and each person offering others a slice to try a new flavor. Laughter and conversation accompanied each exchange, and slices moved seamlessly from one box to another.

In these exchanges, I could see pizza becoming more than just food. It had taken on the qualities of a Mauss’ “gift”—something bought yet offered freely, strengthening connections through the act of giving. No one calculated the worth of a slice or measured the fairness of the exchange. Instead, each person simply passed along a piece, creating a moment of social bonding. Through this small, shared ritual, people bridged the spaces between them. The pizza, a small and simple item, had become a vessel for social connection. Every slice of the pizza can reveal a sharing network which went far beyond its use value.

I struck up conversations with some of the people sitting on the grass, curious about the flavors they were trying and why they chose to exchange slices. A group of Chinese students sharing their pizzas laughed as one explained, “The best food is always in someone else’s bowl.” They grinned, acknowledging the humor in the saying. It leads to another important question: does the food itself really taste better?

The pizza’s taste didn’t change with each exchange. “It’s not just about the flavor,” one of them remarked. “The act of exchanging makes it more meaningful.” Through sharing, the pizza had become more than a meal—it became an experience that connected them and deepened their gathering. It wasn’t merely a slice of pizza anymore; each piece symbolized the inclusion and connection. I realised these exchanges added an unexpected layer to the food itself, making it hold the social value far beyond its simple, savory taste.

[Last modified: October, 20 2024 10:35 PM]

1. Research Topic

My research focuses on how fans of Korean idols interact with fan-made idol dolls and how these dolls provide psychological and physical comfort. I aim to explore the dolls’ agency and understand whether fans view them as objects or representations of their idols. I also intend to challenge the stereotype that dolls are primarily for children, investigating how adult fans engage with them in emotionally meaningful ways.       Through this study, I hope to uncover the broader implications of how these dolls function as both material culture and emotional companions.

2. The Reason This Research Interests Me

As a fan of Korean idols myself, I have a personal connection to this topic. I own several idol dolls and brought them to the UK. These dolls play an important role in my life as decorations, toys, and emotional comfort items. My own experiences with these dolls naturally led me to this research topic, giving me a strong sense of empathy and understanding toward other fans who engage with them. My own involvement also makes this research especially meaningful, as it allows me to explore the various ways fans like me relate to these objects.

3. Preconceived Ideas

While I feel connected to this topic, I also recognize that my personal experiences may lead to certain biases. For instance, I sometimes view fans who always carry their dolls as overly attached or “crazy”. As I mentioned and emphasized the emotional support these dolls provide, I need to remain aware that not all fans may use the dolls in the same way. Emotional comfort may not be the primary reason everyone engages with these dolls, and I must remain open to discovering different motivations and perspectives throughout my research.

4. Reflections on Reflexivity

As a researcher, my positionality—being a fan of a particular Korean boy group—may influence my findings. My research participants are likely to share similar fan experiences, which could result in a sample that lacks diversity, especially in terms of gender, as many fans might be women. This could skew my interpretations toward gendered notions such as maternal instincts or romantic desire. Additionally, my own assumptions about how and why fans engage with idol dolls could shape my analysis.       Therefore, I need to practice reflexivity, constantly reflecting on how my own position, values, and experiences might impact my research and remaining open to diverse perspectives that challenge my initial assumptions.

[Last modified: October, 13 2024 07:18 PM]

When I scrolled through the popular Chinese social app, Xiaohongshu, I stumbled upon an intriguing trend: fans of Korean idols taking tiny, plush dolls which representing their idols on travels. I was drawn in by photos and videos of these fans, often young women, meticulously documenting their trips with these 10-centimeter dolls, sharing their journey as if the idols themselves were present.

Curious about this practice, I reached out to one fan who had recently spent a day at Universal Studios Beijing. She traveled with a small raccoon doll which represented Sunwoo, a member of the Korean boy band TheBoyz. We connected online for 40 minutes, and in our conversation, she shared stories about her experience.

At first, she explained, the reason was simple: “The doll is so cute. When I first got it, I wanted to bring it everywhere!” But as we continued talking, she began to reflect more deeply on the bond she had formed with the doll. It wasn’t just an inanimate object anymore — it had become “him” in her mind, a symbol of the idol she admired.

The plush doll filled a gap. Traveling with non-fan friends, she felt a disconnect between her personal admiration for the idol and her current reality. The doll bridged that gap, creating a sense of companionship and fulfilling her desire for interaction with her idol — even if only symbolically. The experience was emotionally satisfying. She even described dressing the doll in little outfits, the act evoking a maternal instinct, a desire to care for something small and precious.

When she posted photos of the doll at Universal Studios on social media platforms like WeChat and Weibo, other fans who also like Sunwoo gave her the likes and comments. The doll had become a subtle way to share her experiences with the world, offering a sense of belonging to a community without revealing her own image. It also allowed her to travel vicariously, in a sense, presenting her idol’s likeness in new locations, as though her own presence was imbued in the doll. Through this simple act, the plush toy had become much more than a cute accessory — it was an icon of fan identity and connection.

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[Last modified: October, 6 2024 06:28 PM]

1. Topic:

The Emotional Support Role of Fan-made Dolls in Fan Culture

2. Research Question:

How do fan-made dolls reflect fan culture and shape human emotions and community relationships within fandoms?

3. Introduction:

This research focuses on the emotional significance of these dolls, particularly those representing Korean idols. Fans frequently travel with the dolls, dine with them, and create playful photos and videos as if their idols were physically present. This phenomenon raises intriguing questions: Why are fans willing to pay for these unofficial symbols? Why would they carry a doll like that around with them almost every day? These questions may reveal the broader role objects play as emotional support systems and communal symbols, especially in the context of celebrity worship and fan communities.

4. Methods:

Ethnographic Fieldwork: Online observations (through social media platforms) and engaging in fan events to study how fans interact with their fan-made dolls. Both virtual and physical environments will offer insights into the significance of these dolls in fan culture.

Interviews and Surveys: Semi-structured interviews with fans who own and engage with fan-made dolls will provide qualitative data on personal experiences.

Visual and Material Analysis: Analyzing photos, videos, and online content where fans showcase their dolls in everyday activities, highlight the ways fans present their dolls and how they integrate them into their daily lives.

5. Potential Findings:

The research will explore the cultural and emotional roles of dolls across societies, with a particular focus on fan-made dolls in Korean fan culture. By grounding the study in existing literature on fan identity, consumption, and material culture, the research will provide a theoretical framework to understand how objects like fan-made dolls are imbued with emotional significance.

The study is expected to reveal that fan-made dolls act as emotional surrogates, offering fans a sense of closeness to their idols. These dolls may reflect important aspects of fan identity, providing insights into the psychological and emotional dynamics of fandom. Furthermore, the research will highlight the communal aspect of fan-made dolls—how they help foster a sense of belonging and shared experience within fan communities. Carrying these dolls may also facilitate fan recognition and bonding in public spaces, as fans who share the same interest connect through these objects.

In essence, fan-made dolls transcend their role as simple representations of idols, becoming emotional anchors that connect fans not only to their favorite celebrities but also to each other within the larger fan community.

[Last modified: October, 1 2024 06:27 PM]

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