From Dependency To Cooperation

With the development of digital technology and the evolution of various subcultures,virtual idols have become new objects sought after by many young fans.They are willing to devote a lot of time and energy to these virtual idols and establish a very strong parasocial interaction relationship with them.This phenomenon has also aroused more attention.Many companies that are not engaged in animation has begun to realize the influence of this parasocial interaction,and has invested in creating their own virtual idols.Some mainstream media have also cooperated with virtual idols.By this way,they hope they can enhance their own discursive power among young people.Based on the parasocial interaction between virtual idols and fans,this paper aims to analyze the following four issues by using the method of network observational survey and in-depth interview.First,why are these young fans willing to establish emotional connection with virtual idols.Second,as fictional characters without any ability to think or act,how can the parasocial interaction relationship between virtual idols and their fans be maintained for so long.Third,what changes does this special media role bring to the parasocial interaction theory.The last one is,what impact the new relationship brings to fans,virtual idols and some other communication fields.The discussion of these issues will not only help to promote the understanding of these young people,but also will provide some new ideas for the development of parasocial interaction theory.Finally,this paper finds that the development of digital technology,animation culture and cofigurative culture account for the emergency of virtual idols.The unique openness and safety meet the needs of young people to express themselves and seek emotional comfort.As a result,these virtual idols also gain great influence.Based on the above reasons,the companies of virtual idol choose to transfer more meta text writing power originally held by themselves to fans.Therefore,fans are no longer limited to being poachers,but become full-page writers of their idols.At the same time,virtual idols also respond very positively to the content and image constructed by the fans in various ways.In this process,some characteristics of the parasocial interaction relationship between traditional live idols and fans,such as non-reciprocity,have also been changed,and the relationship between virtual idols and their fans has changed from fan depending on idols to a more equal partnership.This paper also focuses on the change of this relationship.In addition,this new parasocial interaction relationship has not only affected fans and virtual idols,but also other communication subjects,especially bringing a lot of inspiration to the mainstream media's propaganda work for teenagers.