Fan Journalism on YouTube: The Case of BTS Fandom

Abstract

This study examines the phenomenon of fan journalism as an alternative form of cultural production within digital media ecosystems. Drawing on theoretical perspectives from cultural studies, media convergence, and participatory culture, the article conceptualizes fan journalism as a hybrid practice that combines amateur creativity with professional journalistic norms. The research framework is grounded in Henry Jenkins’ notions of participatory culture and remix practices, emphasizing how fans negotiate identity, belonging, and legitimacy through their journalistic activities. The study employs a qualitative research design based on textual and discourse analysis of fan-produced media content, with a sample consisting of online fan communities, digital platforms, and selected case studies of K-pop and Western pop fandoms. Data collection focuses on fan blogs, online magazines, and social media-based fan accounts, analyzing both the textual strategies and the communicative practices used to frame news-like narratives. Findings indicate that fan journalism reshapes traditional boundaries between media producers and consumers by blurring lines between information and entertainment. The analysis demonstrates that fans not only rearticulate mainstream media content but also create alternative narratives that challenge hegemonic discourses in global popular culture. Furthermore, fan journalists display a high degree of affective investment and community-driven legitimacy, which provides them with credibility within their networks, even in the absence of professional institutional recognition. In conclusion, the article argues that fan journalism exemplifies the democratization of media production in digital culture, while simultaneously raising questions about authority, authenticity, and sustainability of such practices. The implications suggest that fan-driven journalism is likely to play an increasingly significant role in shaping the future of cultural communication.