Media Using Practice And Gender In Real Person Slash CP Fandom:under The Perspective Of Domestication

In current pop culture,couple fans(hereinafter called the ‘CP fans’),who are obsessed with relationships between two people,are increasingly becoming a unique group in fan culture.This paper aims to explore the dynamics between CP fans and their media usage through Silverstone’s domestication theory combined with Jenkins’ fan participatory culture.This study selects the “Yuncifang” CP,one of the most popular CPs in Chinese entertainment industries as a case,using qualitative research methods including indepth interviews and online participatory observation to explore how CP fans domesticate media technology like Weibo Super Topic for their own purposes.The study reveals that CP fans adopted creative domestication strategy which was highly woven with fans’ own gender understanding and identity.Here is how the strategy was applied: at the stage of acquiring media technology,CP fans’ perception and access to Super Topic have nothing to do with marketing activities but with their own fandom activities.For many CP fans,the main purpose of using Super Topic is to“get information about two people more conveniently”.At the stage of objectification and incorporation,the study found that Super Topic has been deeply embedded in the daily life of CP fans in both time and space frame.For most CP fans,Super Topic is a“place to get pleasure”.Fans not only can get information about their CP,but also reap the joy of free expression and interaction with other fans.In the dimension of conversion,the study finds that there was a strong dynamic between Super Topic usage and fans’ own identity construction.The use of Super Topic,like updating online names and profiles,reproducing content constructs and strengthens the identity of CP fans;Besides,due to common interests,there is a strong sense of intimacy and belonging within the CP fan community,which helps form a friendly relationship between CP fans.Even for some fans,the use of Super Topic has influenced their offline interpersonal relationships.Through the observation of Super Topic and interviews with CP fans,the study sheds light on the gender understanding of CP fans: firstly,current CP fans are mostly female,and they “gaze” at men’s bodies which is a process of women’s judgement of men,as well as a direct view of women’s sexual desire and pleasure;In addition,CP fans are more open to sexual discourse and view it as a common topic to be discussed.In terms of heteronormative hegemony,CP fans have challenged the traditional heteronormative hegemonic model to a certain extent in the process of domesticating the Super Topic,by aspiring to strong yet independent intimate relationships and being more welcome to sexual minorities in reality.However,the traditional romantic narratives,especially the pursuit of family and social recognition didn’t change significantly.Through the follow-up interviews,I find there is a dynamic between CP fans’ gender and their domestication strategy.Given that CP fans’ individual identities and gender attitude influenced what type of duo relationships they are fascinated by,including but not limited to “brotherhood” and “romantic relationship”,it actually determines their own domestication strategies.