Research On The Para-Social Interaction And Relationship Of The Fans Of 2.5-Dimensional Virtual Idol

With the development of modern science and technology and the infiltration of the two-dimensional culture,virtual idols are increasingly popular with the young generation and getting more and more attention from the society,becoming the current hot "superstar".These virtual idols are not only active on the Bilibili video sharing platform,but also frequently appear on TV programs of mainstream media such as China Central Television,breaking the "dimensional wall" and realizing a high degree of connection between virtual and reality.Yousa was the first V-UP to reach 3 million followers,and won the honorary title of "Top 100 V-UP" in Bilibili four times,demonstrating the extraordinary influence of virtual idols.The 2.5-dimensional virtual idols represented by Yousa interact more frequently than real idols,which enhances the affinity of idols and reshapes the communication mode and relationship structure between fans and idols.Using the method of participatory observation and in-depth interview,this paper takes the fans of Yousa as an example,combined with the social background and the context of the times in which young fans grow up,and discusses the para-social interaction and relationship between fans and idols.This paper is divided into three chapters:The first chapter focuses on the "past life and present life" of the 2.5-dimensional virtual idol,and explains the integration of the 2.5-dimensional virtual idol.After more than 30 years of development,virtual idol has moved from the online stage to the offline stage and completed the migration from the second dimension to the third dimension.In this process of migration,"de-materialization" and "re-materialization",which are the key clues of the development of virtual idol,continue to shape the new form of virtual idol.The 2.5-dimensional virtual idol rises suddenly in this industry,showing the characteristics of "integration",which is embodied in three aspects: the integration of flesh and avatar,the integration of mainstream culture and subculture,and the integration of the three-dimensional world and the two-dimensional world.2.5 dimensional virtual idols walk on the boundary between the real and the virtual,and to a certain extent,sew up the fracture between the second and the third dimension.The second chapter focuses on the para-social interaction of the fans and analyzes the practice and dynamic mechanism of the fans’ interaction.From the perspective of communication practice,the para-social communication of the fans in the context of new media presents the characteristics of "fluidity",which is mainly reflected in the communication situation,communication way and communication content.From the perspective of the dynamic mechanism of communication,in the interaction between fans and idol,platform lays the foundation of communication and decides the rules and means of para-social communication;idols provide the attraction of communication,attracting the attention and interaction of fans;fans generate the internal power of communication and promote the regeneration of communication.The third chapter focuses on the para-social relationships of the fans and discusses the establishment of intimate para-social relationships and fans’ understanding of para-social relationships.Fans and idols form an intimate para-social relationship through self-exposure,virtual co-presence and emotional resonance.For fans,Yousa plays the role of "one-way friend","perfect wife" and "spiritual mentor" in para-social relationships.Fans’ imagination of the idol’s intimate image is closely related to the growth environment and living situation of this young group.Finally,this paper summarizes the significance of para-social interaction and relationship to fans,and gives a reflective examination of it.In general,the para-social interaction and relationship of the 2.5-dimensional virtual idol fans represented by Yousa is not only a cultural practice in the process of individual socialization of young people,but also a typical representation of the contemporary youth subculture,reflecting the social and cultural mentality of this young people.Although fans will always "grow up",this youth practice will always be regarded as the precious memory of individual life history,and provide a continuous power for fans to "grow up" in their life course.At the same time,these "youth figures" will also be a microcosm of the Chinese youth group and become an important part of the Chinese youth culture in the new era.