Idolizing Consumption: An Exploration of the K-pop Albums’ Relevance in a Digital Age
(2020) KOVM12 20201Division of Art History and Visual Studies
- Abstract
- This thesis looks into the rise of the K-pop album, examining how physical CDs retain relevance in a digital age. Concepts of collectability, authenticity and the gaze are explored in relation to these unique products. The relationship between consumer and K-pop ‘idol’ is understood through a semiotic breakdown of visual narratives within the product, in conjunction with the reimagined structure of the albums as a whole. Developments in merchandising have created a physical product that offers something entirely different from its practical usage; rather than buying just a physical CD, fans are purchasing a chance to connect with the idols on what is perceived to be a more personal level. K-pop albums are unique in that they are similarly... (More)
- This thesis looks into the rise of the K-pop album, examining how physical CDs retain relevance in a digital age. Concepts of collectability, authenticity and the gaze are explored in relation to these unique products. The relationship between consumer and K-pop ‘idol’ is understood through a semiotic breakdown of visual narratives within the product, in conjunction with the reimagined structure of the albums as a whole. Developments in merchandising have created a physical product that offers something entirely different from its practical usage; rather than buying just a physical CD, fans are purchasing a chance to connect with the idols on what is perceived to be a more personal level. K-pop albums are unique in that they are similarly structured across the entire genre. The formatting of K-pop albums could be an indication of the future of the CD album across other genres. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9015386
- author
- Oliver, Wibecka LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- KOVM12 20201
- year
- 2020
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- K-pop, Album, CDs, collectability, merchandising, artist, consumer, semiotics, authenticity
- language
- English
- id
- 9015386
- date added to LUP
- 2020-09-14 08:21:50
- date last changed
- 2020-09-14 08:21:50
@misc{9015386, abstract = {{This thesis looks into the rise of the K-pop album, examining how physical CDs retain relevance in a digital age. Concepts of collectability, authenticity and the gaze are explored in relation to these unique products. The relationship between consumer and K-pop ‘idol’ is understood through a semiotic breakdown of visual narratives within the product, in conjunction with the reimagined structure of the albums as a whole. Developments in merchandising have created a physical product that offers something entirely different from its practical usage; rather than buying just a physical CD, fans are purchasing a chance to connect with the idols on what is perceived to be a more personal level. K-pop albums are unique in that they are similarly structured across the entire genre. The formatting of K-pop albums could be an indication of the future of the CD album across other genres.}}, author = {{Oliver, Wibecka}}, language = {{eng}}, note = {{Student Paper}}, title = {{Idolizing Consumption: An Exploration of the K-pop Albums’ Relevance in a Digital Age}}, year = {{2020}}, }