“Fangirling @ 14 and 40: A Witnessing of the Lived Experience of Filipino Teenagers and Middle Age Women ARMY

The 4th BTS Global Interdisciplinary Conference is only two weeks away. I am excited to go and partake in the sharing of research by Bangtan Scholars and aca-fans on BTS, ARMY and our impact on the world today. 

I still have to finalize and tie loose ends for my paper. Nonetheless, here is the newly revised abstract.

 “Fangirling @ 14 and 40: A Witnessing of the Lived Experience of Filipino Teenagers and Middle Age Women ARMY”

Teenage fangirls have long been stereotyped as shallow and irrelevant. On worse occasions, they are stigmatized as hysterical fans trapped in their own bubble of delusion.  With the advent of Kpop, the screaming fangirl trope has resurfaced as well as the mature women who fangirl over Kpop idols, bands, girl groups and boy groups alike. Fangirls of whatever age experience prejudice and indifference from families, friends and the larger society.

This academic essay explores the narratives and lived experiences of Filipino teenagers and middle aged women ARMY who, in one way or another, have survived and thrived in their own ways through interacting and engaging with co-ARMYs and their chosen fanbase. Using phenomenology as research design, the thematic analysis shows 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. The essay highlights the unifying power of BTS in bridging age gaps and fostering camaraderie among female fans of diverse backgrounds.