Entre la visibilidad y la simplificación: representación mediática del fandom K-pop en la televisión abierta chilena (2017-2024)

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24137/raeic.13.26.4

Keywords:

K-pop, fandom, media representation, broadcast television, cultural otherness

Abstract

This article analyzes how broadcast television news in Chile represented K-pop fandom between 2017 and 2024. The research problem stems from the fact that increased media visibility does not necessarily imply greater cultural legitimacy, especially when transnational youth communities are translated by generalist media. The study aimed to identify the visual and performative markers privileged by the coverage, examine the narrative frames through which fandom is made intelligible to broad audiences, and assess the degree of cultural contextualization present in the news pieces. Methodologically, the study adopted a mixed-methods design with a qualitative predominance, based on content analysis of 30 reports aired by TVN, Mega, Canal 13, and Chilevisión. The analytical matrix included seven variables grouped into four dimensions: bodily and aesthetic marking of difference, fan performativity, fandom materiality, and cultural-audiovisual contextualization. The findings show that the coverage privileges hair, style, dance, and music as rapid recognition devices, while the material culture of fandom and references to Korean culture occupy a secondary place. Consequently, broadcast television increases the visibility of K-pop, but represents it in a selective, embodied, and culturally under-contextualized way: a form of visibility that ultimately operates as a simplification of the phenomenon.

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Author Biographies

  • Menalie Donoso, Universidad Finis Terrae (UFT)

    A journalist with a bachelor’s degree in Social Communication and a minor in Digital Communication from Finis Terrae University. She is known for being a creative and adaptable professional with a strong ability to generate innovative ideas and communicate clearly. She stands out for her confidence, intuitive decision-making, and ability to connect with diverse audiences, striving to provide impactful communication solutions.

     

    She has experience in media and content production. She completed her professional internship at Televisión Nacional de Chile, participating in program production, writing scripts, on-site coverage, conducting interviews, verifying information, and creating multiplatform content. Additionally, she was part of the Young Reporters program at the 2023 Pan American Games, covering sports such as taekwondo, judo, and karate.

    She has worked as an editor and audiovisual producer at Hospital Padre Hurtado and Alverre Teatro, developing digital content and positioning strategies. She also has experience in event planning. She is proficient in digital tools, social media metrics, and intermediate-level Excel. She was recognized with an award in audiovisual journalism from the Museum of Memory in 2023.

  • Fernanda Fredes, Universidad Finis Terrae (UFT)

    Platform management. She has worked at Fundación Imagen de Chile as a content writer and SEO analyst, where she implemented on-page optimizations, keyword research, and performance tracking, contributing to improved organic positioning and increased visibility of institutional content.

     

    She also has experience covering high-level events, working as a writer during the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games, producing content in fast-paced and high-demand environments.

     

    Additionally, she has served as a university teaching assistant in various journalism and digital media courses, strengthening her communication, leadership, and collaborative skills in academic settings.

     

    Her profile is complemented by proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud tools for audiovisual content creation, integrating multimedia formats into digital strategies. She stands out for her analytical mindset, strong organizational skills, and results-oriented approach, focused on creating impactful content and adding value in digital environments.

  • Paz Crisóstomo Flores, Universidad Finis Terrae (UFT)

    PhD. Paz Andrea Crisóstomo Flores is a journalist, scholar, and researcher in communication studies. She holds a PhD in Media Communication Research from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, a Master’s degree in Political Communication from Universidad de Chile, and a BA in Journalism from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. She is currently an Assistant Professor at the School of Journalism, Universidad Finis Terrae, where she coordinates the Research and Analysis Area. Her research focuses on political communication, television, crime news, organized crime, media representation, audiovisual narratives, and digital platforms. She has published academic articles and book chapters on news coverage, violence, insecurity, drug trafficking, television, and digital culture. She has also participated as a speaker in national and international academic activities and conducts applied research on media discourse, public opinion, and the symbolic construction of crime.

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Published

2026-08-03

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 26 (2026): The "Other" cultural industry. Communication, fandom, and geek subcultures (Otaku, Gamers, K-pop Fans, and Geeks)

Section

Thematic issue

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Melanie Donoso, Fernanda Fredes, Paz Crisóstomo Flores

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Entre la visibilidad y la simplificación: representación mediática del fandom K-pop en la televisión abierta chilena (2017-2024). (2026). Revista De La Asociación Española De Investigación De La Comunicación, 13(26), raeic132604. https://doi.org/10.24137/raeic.13.26.4