Post 8: Bromance

For me, South Korea is a country that is not homophobic, you ask me why? It is because of the difference of their culture from other countries. Men can freely express themselves without being called gay.

Queer Studies at SFC on Why do fans like K-pop Bromance? defined bromance as "a close non-sexual relationship between two or more men, a form of homosocial intimacy." However, this bromance of k-pop idols triggered a fantasy from female fans this fantasy created a pairing between two males was originally popularized in Japan and was called yaoi. What made this fantasy successful? One reason why is that some male idols have feminine features. This may be a nightmare to some idols, but for fangirls, it is better to ship their idols to their pair rather than seeing them together with a random girl.



Also according to Why Girls Love "Boy's Love": The World of K-pop Fanfiction (http://www.theoneshots.com/2013/02/why-girls-love-boys-love-the-world-of-k-pop-fanfiction/) by Sammy stated that "The genre of boys' love, in other words, allows readers to place themselves in a position of power and aggrandizement that is rare for women-as distanced, masterful position, letting his (or her) eyes roam across variegated objects of desire". This makes women experience what they really want: power over men and their lovers". (according to Canterbury Tales referenced from the Wife of Bath's Tale, an English Fiction that are studied in Western Schools).

One reason why male idols do these fan service is because it satisfies their female fans, it also attract more females who likes bromance. Fanfictions and Fan arts are so wildly known by the female fans that these fans produce themselves.

Kemaru

It may be pretty scary for some male idols and to those who are homophobic, but this is a way for their fans to vent their fantasies and creativity. To fans, it is impossible for their favorite pairings to be together so they might as well satisfy their fantasies by making fanfictions.