Investigation of the Behaviors and Psychology of Young People Engaging in Retaliatory Actions Against Asian Idols After Unfollowing

Abstract

“Retaliatory actions after unfollowing” refers to fans ceasing their admiration for a previously liked idol and expressing aggressive or vengeful remarks or behaviors. This phenomenon has become increasingly common in entertainment and fan circles. Fans’ voices, which play an integral role in an idol’s career, are mixed with various evaluations, and the underlying stories and psychology behind these evaluations warrant further exploration. This paper aims to analyze fan culture as a subculture, which could serve as a reference for understanding other subcultural groups or provide guidance on the mental health of young people. The study adopted a questionnaire method and collected over 100 responses on platforms like Weibo and WeChat. The questionnaire covers reasons for unfollowing, psychological states during this phase, and the idols targeted. It also investigates submissions made to “retaliatory bot” platforms. Through a literature review, this paper explores the behaviors of fans engaging in retaliatory actions, spanning various domains, including fan culture, fan socialization, fan emotional research, and cyberbullying. It provides an overview of domestic and international research on fan psychology over the past few years, introduces the research background and importance of studying retaliatory actions after unfollowing, and highlights their practical significance in addressing intersectional issues in contemporary youth, online safety, and related fields. Finally, the paper evaluates existing research and suggests potential trends in fan circles and new methods of unfollowing that may emerge.