Autoethnography on Korean star imitator

According to Autoethnography: The overview says that Autoethnography is a cultural experience by describing and systematically analyzing individual experiences. This is to experience and express the culture through personal experience.

I used to be a fan of Korean idols and a person who would imitate idols. At that time, I changed my hairstyle because of Korean TV dramas. The imitation of the hairstyle has also replaced with the trend of Korean stars, and I have been imitating for four years. From the first fringe (Taiwanese thick bangs) trimmed into the airy “wispy fringes(空氣瀏海),” changed into the “字母瀏海, ”the other is the “choppy bangs(眉上瀏海), ” the last is the “curling bangs.” As a former imitator, one of the reasons I imitated was to hope that my appearance and idol would be similar, and on the other hand, I hope to keep up with the trend. Also, I also learned a little Korean because of the Korean Wave. “sa-la-he-yo” is the pronunciation of the Korean “I love you,” which I learned from Korean TV dramas. In fact, in addition to learning Korean in Korean TV dramas, I also learned in Hong Kong TV dramas, all because of the rise of the Korean wave. The heroine of the Hong Kong TV series “陪著你走” learns “eo-ddeo-ke” through Korean drama and how it is used in the drama so that the audience in Hong Kong know it.

Because the trend of popularity has changed the direction of following and imitation, but I have experienced this culture of imitating stars. I understand that the reason for their imitation of Korean star imitators is mainly to do the same thing or use the same thing as their idols and to feel closer to the idol. In this data collection, I learned that the original imitator is not only the ordinary imitation star makeup or dance. In the same way, they will change their appearance to a star through cosmetic surgery. In the cosmetic clinic, you will often see a lot of celebrity facial features to allow the plastic surgeon to choose. This kind of thing is prevalent in South Korea, and even the situation is so severe that the Korean government intends to set a case to control the star cannot be too similar. Although this is a regulation for Korean stars, I have to say that I will see many similar appearances in Korea. For this culture, I don’t think I am serious.

Autoethnography is not enough only through the personal experience of a single individual, but also needs to understand the personal experience of others. In my research, I will describe the imitation experience of South Asians. Learn about their feelings and reasons for imitation through interviews with them. I also hope that through these interviews, I will explore the impact of this imitation culture on people.

South Korean stars imitator

Korean stars are basically all world knows, like actors in Korean TV dramas, singers in k-pop, and hosts in variety shows. They become idols of many people, and many fans will follow their style. Of course, many stars around the world are the icon of fans, but why are the icon usually are Korean stars? Korean star imitation has become a trend?

This can be attributed to the Korean Wave. Korean wave refers to the phenomenon that Korean culture is popular in Asia and around the world. The continuous development of Korean pop culture has become the main driving force in global culture. The output of the Korean cultural industry is generally most popular with K-pop and Korean TV dramas. The Korean wave has spread to Korean traditional culture, food, literature, and language, creating more and more lovers. As a cultural industry, the Korean has been supported by the Korean government, promoting the Korean culture and reducing the anti-Korean sentiment of foreign countries. Korean pop culture has indeed gained focus and popularity around the world, and it has also changed for South Korea. Korean dramas have a seat on Netflix, new Korean movies are also hanging in the cinema, and Korean stars have become the brand representative of major brands. This is a way for South Korea to develop soft power, just as the United States uses the ideal image to attract the world to buy its Levi’s jeans and Apple products. I have also changed from adoring Japanese culture to pursuing Korean culture. Witnessing the coming of the Korean culture, I can only say that the power of Korean pop culture is mighty.

As the Korean Wave developed into the world and got the focus, people began to be “Koreanized” to form a mimicry culture. From make-up, dressing, lifestyle, diet and even accent, people want to imitate Korean idols both inside and outside. But the imitation is not necessarily a fanatic of Korean stars, and fanatics may not necessarily imitate. Have you ever tried to see some Korean star makeup or hairstyle tutorial videos on YouTube? Will you want to follow the imitation after watched the tutorial video? Don’t be eager to be sure, you may already be an imitator. Korean famous singer Psy’s “Jiangnan style,” the riding dance you must know how to dance. This video was maddeningly global in 2012, with more than 2 billion views on YouTube. This is one of the imitations. There are also many people in Korea’s K-pop dance that imitate and upload their imitation video.

 

Take teenagers as an example, they like to follow K-pop’s singer. Teenagers also choose to imitate them from their favorite idols. This includes emulating what their idols have, the brands they use, and the places they visit. It is because they are in a state of identity and role confusion, use this approach to find the best fit for themselves. Besides, Korean drama has become a hot topic among adults. The actress or actor in the TV series is most attractive to them, including hairstyles, makeup, clothing, accessories. These things are easily found on the shopping site, even with the words “stars with the same paragraph” to attract people to buy.

Although imitating it, it is impossible to become a Korean star, and it also fulfills its wish as a fan and the experience of following the trend. Imitation is an always-existing thing like the behavior of a child who imitates the family during the growth process, or the clothing brand will emulate the goods in the trend, and even other countries will mimic the Korean wave.

Pop culture with ASMR

ASMR become active during these years, but what is “ASMR”? 

ASMR in literally explained is Autonomous sensory meridian response. It is through the hearing that the body’s meridians get a sense of excitement. Listening to soft whispers, repeated sounds, and chewing can trigger ASMR stimulation. ASMR videos can be people doing incredibly simple, quiet, calming tasks, such as folding towels, brushing their hair, or flipping magazine pages. Also are people eating any type of food. 

In addition to seeing special ASMR videos on social networking sites, we can often encounter them in our daily lives. Have you ever tried to hear the voice of the host on the radio and feel decompression? Or have you tried to hear some accents and feel comfortable? Actually when we are popping bubble wrap or listening to the steady drip of the rain outside also is one of ASMR. People usually watch the ASMR videos on YouTube or Instagram, formed a community which is culture. 

Why people watching ASMR videos? 

This is the biggest advantage of the Internet, and he can bring people together in an unprecedented way. Different people see ASMR videos have their own feelings. On the Internet, they are allowed to think of unique personal experiences while finding each other and communicating with each other and communicating with each other’s culture. Yale’s Novella explained ASMR in his 2012 post on the issue on NeuroLogica Blog — “By the way – this is perhaps another phenomenon worth pointing out, the internet allowing for previously personal and hidden experiences to come to general awareness. Human communication has been increased to the point that people who have what they think are unique personal experiences can find each other, eventually bringing the phenomenon to general awareness, giving it a name and an internet footprint. Of course, such phenomena are not always real – sometimes a real pattern emerges from the internet, sometimes illusory or misidentified patterns, the cultural equivalent of pareidolia.” In 2015, BBDO created ASMR video advertisement in China for “Dove” chocolates that was designed to evoke the “tingling of silky smooth pleasure” consumers felt when eating the confections. Using people to see advertisements is sensitive to sound, inducing viewers to discuss and purchase products. Apart from this, Tom Hiddleston reads Math equations in a sexy Voice making STEM subjects way more intriguing. This video caused a great response on the Internet, and netizens commented on the film’s feelings and exchanges with each other. 

According to Ellis et al (2011), automatic psychology is a research method of experience. Describe and analyze personal experiences in research from a subjective perspective. I also got some insights from this topic. I personally like to watch ASMR about food sounds. The sounds of various foods are also unexpected. The sound of eating beef sashimi is like people playing the fluffy slime. Everyone had their own experiences when they watching ASMR video. ASMR video has been updated online, from the sound of early food to the voices of people nowadays. ASMR has formed a community of videos, and all people on the Internet have access to the community. 

 

 

Reference from:

https://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/asmr/

https://i-d.vice.com/en_au/article/zmdxa8/how-meme-culture-made-rude-asmr-huge

 

“Trainman​: Densha Otoko”

Trainman is not the meaning of a man work on the train. It was mean to people who dressed corny and addicted to anime and not good at communication, called “Otaku”.

Trainman: Densha Otoko was presenting the main actor Densha’s Otoko meet a girl on the train and he takes the courage to help her. A classic movie about an otaku to chasing a girl. The movie shows many different Japanese cultures. First, there is the most prominent—otaku, like the main actor wearing “Gundam” t-shirt at home and the layout of the homeroom are all expressing he is anime fans. Second, the film implies that the female is older than the male. This is a culture that is commonly seen in Japan—the Oedipus Complex. It means when the man is in love, the man intentionally or unintentionally to chooses his girlfriend according to his mother’s model.

The Otaku culture is not only seen in movies, but also in our real life. This culture is also easy to see in Hong Kong. Teenage who pay all attention to their study when they grow up. This leaves them without proper social and interpersonal communication. They also not good at communication in society and they are afraid to talk to others. They usually only keen and focus on a certain field, like technology, video games, writing programs, etc. We usually call them “geek” or “nerd”. Instead, they can easily express their opinions and moods online. So there are all kinds of forums on the Internet, like the Hong Kong Golden Forum, LIHKG Forum, and Hong Kong Discuss Forum. People build a new topic or ask a question to let others like-minded people discuss together.

 

Photo from https://hapahero.weebly.com/blog/-train-man-densha-otoko-2005

 

The movie always conveys different country’s culture, social status or bring out some message. Trainman: Densha Otoko provided advice and support to the main actor through the unsuccessful netizens. Internet Many real problems can be overcome in the powerful Internet world. By getting opinions and support online, people can get courage in reality. Although internet Full of all kinds of true and false information, the virtual identity had made people speak freely. People don’t have to worry about whether their appearance is attractive, the type of work, the status of the rich and the poor, and even the gender. The Internet is not just a thing that is addictive to the virtual world, but it really affects people’s lives in reality.