Labor of Love: Understanding the Influence of Idol Attachment on P-pop Fan Labor Activities

Abstract

Fan labor refers to the voluntary and unpaid efforts of fans that contribute to the visibility and success of their idols. This study investigated how idol attachment influences fan labor among Filipino P-pop fans, focusing on the emotional and behavioral dynamics that drive engagement. Using Attachment Theory (Bowlby, 1982) as a framework, the study employed a quantitative approach with 100 participants gathered through snowball sampling. It explored how different levels of idol attachment—Entertainment-Social, Intense-Personal, and Borderline-Pathological—correlate with distinct forms of fan labor, including Specialized, Managerial, and Unskilled. Findings revealed that Entertainment-Social and Intense-Personal Levels significantly correlate with all types of fan labor, while Borderline-Pathological Level correlates only with Specialized and Managerial Labor. Since the levels of idol attachment are not mutually exclusive, k-means clustering was conducted to identify three distinct fan profiles—Entertainment-Social Leaning, Balanced Attachment, and Low Attachment Overall—based on the levels of idol attachment, providing deeper insights into how idol attachment translates into specific types of fan labor. This study underscores that fan labor in P-pop fandom is not merely an expression of admiration but a structured, community-driven practice that actively shapes the cultural and social engagement of P-pop fandoms.