Position Paper 4 - Wild Card
Hannah Diffee Professor Reppert International Mass Media Dec. 2023 Position Paper 4 - Wild Card Idols: Japan's Multimedia Stars What Are Idols? Idols are entertainers, typically females in their teens or early twenties, who sing, dance, or act. T hey may be solo performers or members of a group. While many have massive followings, they are not typical celebrities. Idols are depicted as cute, good-natured, and innocent. They do not sing about drugs or sexual topics but instead focus on happiness and romantic love. They are "dream followers" who realize their imperfections and work hard to become the best people and performers they can be. Modern idols have close relationships with their fans, staging regular live shows, meet-and-greets, and handshake events. "Part of the appeal is that these performers are accessible" ( BBC ). Idol fans are dedicated and play a vast role in the idol experience. "From attending live concerts and handshake events to purchasin...
