“ Toxic Fandom and the Manufactured Self: A Horton and Wohl, Goffman, and Winnicott Analysis of Sasaeng Culture in Idol Eye and KPop Demon Hunters ”

This study examines the representation of toxic fandom, sasaeng culture, and the construction of manufactured identities in Idol Eye (2025) and KPop Demon Hunters (2025) through the theoretical frameworks of Donald Horton and Richard Wohl’s parasocial interaction theory, Erving Goffman’s theory of self-presentation, and Donald Winnicott’s concepts of the true and false self. The research investigates how both works portray the blurred boundaries between admiration and obsession, revealing the psychological and social consequences of intense fan involvement in celebrity culture. Furthermore, it analyzes the unrealistic standards imposed upon idols, including expectations of perfection, emotional accessibility, and constant public performance. The findings suggest that toxic fandom contributes to the fragmentation of personal identity, encouraging celebrities to construct false selves in order to satisfy audience demands and maintain public approval. Ultimately, the study demonstrates that both narratives critique contemporary K-pop culture by exposing the hidden psychological costs of surveillance, commodification, and idealized celebrity images (Horton and Wohl 215–229; Goffman 17–76; Winnicott 140–152). Additionally, the study argues that both Idol Eye and KPop Demon Hunters function as cultural critiques of contemporary digital media environments in which celebrity identity is shaped by surveillance, commercialization, and audience consumption. Through the integration of parasocial theory, self-presentation theory, and psychoanalytic perspectives, the research demonstrates that modern K-pop culture often prioritizes marketable perfection over emotional authenticity and psychological well-being. The selected works therefore expose how idols become trapped between public expectations and personal identity, leading to emotional alienation and psychological instability. By examining toxic fandom and the manufactured self, this study contributes to broader discussions regarding media ethics, celebrity commodification, and mental health within global entertainment industries (Gamson 24–39; Foucault 195–228; Jenkins 90–104).

کلیدواژه ها:

Keywords: Toxic Fandom ، Sasaeng Culture ، Parasocial Relationships ، False Self ، K-pop Industry.