Identity Passing in Intercultural Performance of K-pop Cover Dance

ABSTRACT

The global phenomenon of K-pop cover dance indicates the rise of imitation in social media and its production value wherein identity passing is necessary. Employing performance ethnography, this article analyzes two female K-pop cover dancers in San Diego, CA and examines their embodied labour and (dis)privilege in their intercultural performance of K-pop. Their stories disclose discrepancy than solidarity within the racial and ethnic minority fandom and (in)ability of identity passing based on sociocultural and economic resources at the intersection of age, race, ethnicity, class, education, and family. Yet, a daunting reality further inspires fans’ dreams to be like K-pop idols.

KEYWORDS:

• Identity passing
• performance Ethnography
• K-pop Cover Dance
• K-pop Dance Fandom
• intercultural Performance

Acknowledgment

I express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Dawn Marie McIntosh and Dr. Eguchi Shinsuke, the editors of this special issue of the Journal of Intercultural Communication Research, and blind reviewers for their constructive comments and feedback during the revision process. IRB at the current institution approves this research. The researcher obtained ethical clearance and written permission from the participants. I also deeply thank the interview participants for sharing their invaluable stories.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Chuyun Oh

Chuyun Oh (Ph.D.) is an Assistant Professor of Dance at San Diego State University. As a Fulbright scholar, she focuses on performance ethnography and the construction of racial and gender identities in transnational K-pop dance. Her work has appeared inDance Research Journal, The Journal of Popular Culture, Communication, Culture & Critique, The International Journal of the History of Sport, The Journal of Fandom Studies, and Dance Chronicle. She is currently serving on the Editorial Board of Text and Performance Quarterly and Review of Communication.