1. Introduction
It is very common for everyone to have a hobby or two. However, when it comes to Otaku, hobby is no longer a trivial activity; it takes up great portion of their lives. Otaku, according to Wikipedia, is an avid collector or enthusiast, especially one obsessed with anime, video games, or computer and rarely leaves home. The term “Otaku” was coined when Akio Nakamori, a columnist and editor, used it in his essay, “Manga Burriko” in 1983. This subculture is often made fun of in TV shows, cartoons, movies, and etc. because of the existing stereotypes. Such characteristic combined with Korea’s mainstream culture that emphasizes the persona creates interesting phenomenon. Our primary goal of the project is to meet Otakus in person and identify how their subculture is affected by Korea’s social ambiance. Furthermore, we want to debunk any misconceptions due to stereotypes and elucidate their stance on their hobby. We sincerely believe that this project will change the status of Otakus in our society from those who are laughed at to those who are professional at their specific field.
The word "Otaku" can be translated in English as a geek or a nerd. Since the word "Otaku" itself is a derogatory term and a Japanese word, we will use the term "geek" whenever possible.
2. Stereotypes
The word “Otaku” has negative connotation in Japan due to stereotypical view of Otaku and media’s description on Tsutomu Miyazaki, or “the Otaku Murderer”. The subculture began in 1980s as social mentalities changes while many individuals refuse to join mainstream society and became social outcasts. Thus, Otaku implicitly refers to those who excludes themselves from society, or social misfit. The public image of Otaku in Korea was solidified when typical – typical in that he exactly follows the stereotype of Otaku – Otaku was introduced in TV show Martian Virus in January 26th 2010. He claimed that he married to Fate, the character in a Japanese anime, and his making out with the pillow of the character was broadcasted to the whole country. After the show, almost abomination against Otaku has been formed throughout the nation; every Otaku was viewed as fat, ugly man with perverted taste. Although it has been 5 years and such sensation has been diffused away, Korea society still rejects the existence of Otaku.
3. Interview Plan
Dongryung and Jee-Eun both had contacts. There are actually various kinds of geeks, and fortunately, we had many kinds of geeks around us. So first, we will contact them and hear out what they think about the subculture, and how it feels to be in the subculture. Also, if time allows, we can go to a festival to meet more people.
4. Preliminary Research
1. Journal
Reading YAOI Comics: An Analysis of Korean Girls’ Fandom by Sueen Noh
(Not a compulsory read. But please do read the summarized version below)
(Not a compulsory read. But please do read the summarized version below)
Male homosexuality began to flourish as a subject of girls’ comics circa 1995 in Korea.
The Donga Korean Dictionary (1990) explains homosexuality as an “abnormal sexuality between the same sex,” indicating that a majority of our society still regards heterosexuality as a value of tradition and normality and homosexuality as a symptom of deviation and abnormality.
But the writer said “Should the loyalty of female fans to YAOI thus be regarded as mere fantasy resulting from the misunderstanding of homosexuality?”
She examines what female readers think YAOI is and what kinds of pleasure they obtain from reading YAOI in this article.
As a result, it can be understood that YAOI fans are a very active audience and they recreate their own worlds from YAOI. Female readers become the active producers and manipulators of meaning through the act of decoding.
As a result, it can be understood that YAOI fans are a very active audience and they recreate their own worlds from YAOI. Female readers become the active producers and manipulators of meaning through the act of decoding.
2. Blog post
Fandom, Fanfiction, and Fangirling
Female Otakus we will interview can be considered in the American culture as fangirls. This blog post talks in detail about the power a fandom has, and what it means to be a fangirl.
--http://mylifeinverse.com/2014/04/28/fandom-fanfiction-and-fangirling/Negative view about OTAKU culture
In this blog, the writer said several problems.
“The problematic aspect that exists within the Otaku subculture is that, as fans or admirers of what they see as Japanese culture, Otakus essentially wear what they perceive as “Japanese culture” as costume at specified conventions.”
“This blog is not meant as a harsh criticism of the Otaku subculture, only my own thoughts on why I think that the subculture might be problematic.”
3. Video
Korean Otaku who want to get married to his pillow
This is a clip from the TV show Martian Virus, mentioned in the "Stereotype" section.
※ FYI
We know that the vocabulary comes at last, but we would like to clear up some words before we start. Please keep in mind that these will not be the vocabs, and that they are just for better understanding.
- Genre (장르): what the geek is obsessed with
- 2D: a kind of genre; mostly animes
- 2.5D: a kind of genre; movies or tv series. Also includes voice actors in case of animes
- 3D: actual actors or singers; also called RPS(real people slash) or RPF(real people fiction)
- Dong-in (동인): closest English translation can be fanfiction writers and fanart artists; people who create secondary works to the original genre
- Normal person cosplay (일반인 코스프레): closest English translation can be image-making. "Coming out" as an Otaku is a very sensitive issue, so most people "stay in the closet" and try to keep their image as a non-Otaku
- Subculture(서브컬쳐): the actual name of the culture of Otakus is subculture. When you say subculture in Korea, it mostly means this.
