KJCKorea
Journal Central

With the appearance of virtual idols in literature, it is possible to indirectly examine the perception of idol fandom and fans beyond the dimension of desire required in fan pick. There may be people who have difficulty understanding the existence and fandom of virtual idols that are gaining popularity recently. To this end, this study aims to examine the virtual fandom culture and changed view of love through literary works. Virtual idols that have benefited from the expansion of the metaverse and the development of artificial intelligence have changed the idol culture and fandom culture. They have always seen continuity and provide absolute faith that will not unsettle fans. This has led to a positive perception of not only virtual idols but also virtual humans. Among the various changes, this study focuses on love. If you look indirectly at the relationship between an idol who craves love from fans and a fan who wants to prove their love, you can see the idol and virtual culture. It is possible to compare the love for an existing idol that exists but is too ideal with the love of a virtual but extremely realistically loving virtual idol. If existing idols need one-way love, virtual idols realize complete love that can always be communicated with fans. The characters in Kwon Hye-young's "Eating Love," who are tired of one-way love, feel complete love as they pursue virtual idols. If love was incomplete and uncomfortable for them, they found the possibility of complete love due to virtual idols. Based on this narrative, Chapter 2 examines the changed perceptions of virtual idols and characters with completely indispensable characteristics. Chapter 3 follows the character's gaze by focusing on the idol fandom's love view and comparing the fan's love view toward the existing idol with virtual idols that provide complete love, a form of divine love.

Virtual Idols, Fandom, Multidimensional Love, Virtual Community, Consumption, Goods