Fangirling at 14 and 40: A Correlation Study of Filipino Teenage Girls and Middle-Aged Women Fangirls of BTS
By Zarah Gagatiga, 48-year-old female and Pearl ARMY
Abstract
Whatever age, demographic, gender, socio-economic background,
creed and religion, ARMYs share one thing in common, their love, devotion and
unwavering support for BTS. In recent years, however, a rise in the number of
middle-aged Filipino women who fangirl over BTS have received harsh criticisms
and prejudice from their own family, circle of friends and community outside
the fandom. Often compared derogatorily to teenage girls, they are challenged
to defend themselves for owning their joy and fangirling experiences over BTS.
This paper is a correlation study between and among Filipino
teenage girls and middle-aged women who have been ARMYs from 2018 to the
present year. By utilizing a cross-sectional survey approach and data from
online fan communities, the researcher examined the emotional, psychological,
and social factors that contribute to the appeal of BTS among these age groups.
Hypothetical results show that Filipino teenage girls
gravitate to the self-awareness, and identity formation present in the art and
music of BTS. On the one hand, middle-aged women are drawn to BTS’ songs and
aesthetics that engage them to introspect leading them to reclaim their lost
selves and rediscover new talents and rekindle friendships with co-ARMYs in
their age group. This transgenerational study highlights the unifying power of
BTS in bridging age gaps and fostering camaraderie among female fans of diverse
backgrounds.
Keywords: ARMY, Filipino Teenage Girls, Filipino Middle-Aged
Women, BTS, fangirls, fangirling, transgenerational study, pop culture
About the Author: Zarah Gagatiga is a teacher-librarian,
author, literacy coach and reading interventionist. She knew about BTS from her
daughter who is ARMY since 2016. During the pandemic, Zarah became an ARMY and
has, since then, been fascinated at the diversity of ARMYs from all walks of
life and the positive influences BTS have on the fandom in big and small ways.
Zarah blogs at http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com. She is
@thecoffeegoddes on Twt and @zarahgee on IG.
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