Exploring the dynamics of idol fan groups: uncovering social cohesion, identity formation, and collective engagement

Year 2025, Volume: 6 Issue: 3, 167 - 177, 30.09.2025

Rakhmaditya Dewi Noorrizki , Farah Farida Tantiani Pravissi Shanti Izza Safira Putri

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17208296

Abstract

This study aims to explore the group dynamics of idol fanbases, focusing on social cohesion, identity formation, and collective involvement. Using a qualitative approach with a case study design, four purposively selected members of the EH idol fanbase were interviewed to uncover the processes of group development, conflict, and social interaction. The results show that the fanbase was formed based on shared interests through social media, with members actively participating in activities such as voting and donations. Conflicts among members were typically resolved through open communication and the fair application of rules. Social cohesion and collective identity were formed through mutual support for the idol, strengthening relationships among members. In conclusion, the group dynamics in idol fanbases reflect strong collective involvement, though the study’s limitations lie in the small sample size. It is recommended that more participants be included and other platforms used in future research.

Keywords

fanbase , social cohesion , identity , collective involvement , group conflict

Ethical Statement

This research can be carried out due to the funding of Research Non-State Budget Funding Sources of State University of Malang in 2024 from the Faculty Decentralization scheme, Faculty of Psychology (Decree of the Chancellor of State University of Malang Number 3.4.93/UN32/KP/2024).

Supporting Institution

Universitas Negeri Malang

References

• Amri, W. A. (2020). Kpop fans fanatism in social media Instagram. International Journal of Cultural and Social Science, 1(1), Article 1.
• Aunyaphat, L. (2022). Fanbase accounts and customer advocacy toward albums consumption in Thailand [Master’s thesis, Mahidol University]. Mahidol University Archive. https://archive.cm.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/4800
• Bliuc, A.-M., Betts, J. M., Faulkner, N., Vergani, M., Chow, R. J., Iqbal, M., & Best, D. (2020). The effects of local socio- political events on group cohesion in online far-right communities. PLOS ONE, 15(3), e0230302. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0230302
• Buckingham, D. (2015). Do we really need media education 2.0? Teaching media in the age of participatory culture. In T.-B. Lin, V. Chen, & C. S. Chai (Eds.), New media and learning in the 21st century: A socio-cultural perspective (pp. 9–21). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-326-2_2
• Chadborn, D., Edwards, P., & Reysen, S. (2017). Displaying fan identity to make friends. Intensities: The Journal of Cult Media, 9. https://intensitiescultmedia.com/issue-9-spring-2017/
• Elfving-Hwang, J. (2018). K-pop idols, artificial beauty and affective fan relationships in South Korea. In Routledge handbook of celebrity studies. Routledge.
• Folger, J. P., Poole, M. S., & Stutman, R. K. (2021). Working through conflict: Strategies for relationships, groups, and organizations (9th ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003027232
• Forsyth, D. R. (2019). Group dynamics (7th ed.). Cengage.
• Gillespie, T. (2018). Custodians of the internet: Platforms, content moderation, and the hidden decisions that shape social media. Yale University Press.
• Graham, M. (2011). Time machines and virtual portals: The spatialities of the digital divide. Progress in Development Studies, 11(3), 211–227. https://doi.org/10.1177/146499341001100303
• He, Q., & Li, Y. (2023). Civic engagement intention and the data-driven fan community: Investigating the motivation behind Chinese fans’ online data-making behavior from a collective action perspective. Social Media + Society, 9(1), 205630512211504. https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051221150409
• Hocker, J. L., & Wilmot, W. W. (2017). Interpersonal conflict (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
• Jailobaev, T., Jailobaeva, K., Baialieva, M., Baialieva, G., & Asilbekova, G. (2021). WhatsApp groups in social research: New opportunities for fieldwork communication and management. Bulletin of Sociological Methodology/Bulletin de Méthodologie Sociologique, 149(1), 60–82. https://doi.org/10.1177/0759106320978337
• Jenkins, H., Ito, M., & boyd, d. (2015). Participatory culture in a networked era: A conversation on youth, learning, commerce, and politics. John Wiley & Sons.
• Jenkins, R. H., Shen, C., Dumontheil, I., Thomas, M. S. C., Elliott, P., Röösli, M., & Toledano, M. B. (2020). Social networking site use in young adolescents: Association with health-related quality of life and behavioural difficulties. Computers in Human Behavior, 109, 106320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2020.106320
• Keaton, S. A., Gearhart, C. C., & Honeycutt, J. M. (2014). Fandom and psychological enhancement: Effects of sport team identification and imagined interaction on self-esteem and management of social behaviors. Imagination, Cognition and Personality, 33(3), 251–269. https://doi.org/10.2190/IC.33.3.c
• Kim, M. S., Wang, S., & Kim, S. (2023). Effects of online fan community interactions on well-being and sense of virtual community. Behavioral Sciences, 13(11), 110897. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13110897
• Lopina, T. M. B., Mendoza, M. J. L., Pacleb, L. J. G., & Lorenzana, J. A. (2022). Life is still going on: Online practices and experiences of Filipino K-pop fans over the pandemic [Bachelor thesis, Ateneo de Manila University]. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/.../Life-is-still-going-on-Online-practices-and-experiences-of- Filipino-K-pop-fans-over-the-pandemic.pdf
• Lou, L., Jiao, Y., & Koh, J. (2021). Determinants of fan engagement in social media-based brand communities: A brand relationship quality perspective. Sustainability, 13(11), 6117. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116117
• Nguyen, M. H., Gruber, J., Marler, W., Hunsaker, A., Fuchs, J., & Hargittai, E. (2022). Staying connected while physically apart: Digital communication when face-to-face interactions are limited. New Media & Society, 24(9), 2046–2067. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444820985442
• Norman, M. (2014). Online community or electronic tribe? Exploring the social characteristics and spatial production of an internet hockey fan culture. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 38(5), 395–414. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193723512467191
• Paramita, S., & Laila, K. (2022). Communication network analysis K-pop fans through the WhatsApp group application. Jurnal Komunikasi, 14(2), 21190. https://doi.org/10.24912/jk.v14i2.21190
• Parsakia, K., & Jafari, M. (2023). The dynamics of online fandom communities: A qualitative study on engagement and identity. AI and Tech in Behavioral and Social Sciences, 1(3), 4–11. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.aitech.1.3.2
• Purohit, H., Ruan, Y., Fuhry, D., Parthasarathy, S., & Sheth, A. (2012). On the role of social identity and cohesion in characterizing online social communities. Proceedings of the International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media.
• Seashore, S. E. (2021). Group cohesiveness in the industrial work group. Creative Media Partners. (Original work published 1954)
• Seto, A. (2017). Netizenship, activism and online community transformation in Indonesia. Springer.
• Tang, Y., & Hew, K. F. (2020). Does mobile instant messaging facilitate social presence in online communication? A two-stage study of higher education students. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 17(1), 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-020-00188-0
• Tuckman, B. W. (1965). Developmental sequence in small groups. Psychological Bulletin, 63(6), 384–399. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0022100
• Turkle, S. (2015). Reclaiming conversation: The power of talk in a digital age. Penguin Publishing Group.
• Venu, A. N., Sigroha, S., & Shankar, S. (2021). Dynamics of social networks and collective behavior: A social identity approach. Frontiers in Human Dynamics, 3, 676190. https://doi.org/10.3389/fhumd.2021.676190