Cultural Interpellation & Contextualization: Chinese Mum Fans' Identity Construction - A Case Study on a Weibo Mum Fan Community

This study delves into the unique Chinese fan culture phenomenon: mum fans. These fans adopt a "mother" identity for their idols, engaging in data-driven "parenting" on social platforms. While roughly 50% of Chinese fans identify as "mum fans," intriguingly, over 80% explicitly express disinterest in real-life parenthood. The thesis dissects the cultural roots of "mum fan" identity and data practices, considering traditional Chinese values, the modern women's liberation movement, shifts in China's fertility policy, socialist ideals, and the data-centric evolution of the idol industry. Employing quantitative methods, it constructs a micro-model linking social media use, fan and idol engagement, and the intricate web of mum fan identity formation.<p></p>