Fandom Nationalism:Participatory Censorship and Performative Patriotism in East Asia

Taking a non-Western perspective in fan studies, this book challenges conventional understandings of fandom nationalism. While the concept usually describes how citizens passionately adore their nation akin to idolizing celebrities, this ground-breaking research adds a captivating twist: such passion encompasses not only the expressions of love fans shower upon their idols but also the intense hatred anti-fans direct towards stars -- fans strategically employ nationalism as a weapon to win fan wars. This enriches the concept of fandom nationalism, exploring how fans use participatory censorship practices to accuse celebrities and their followers of problematic political stances, thereby channelling collective nationalist anger to exact revenge on despised celebrities, such as Zhang Zhehan, a 'Boys' Love' drama actor who was banned by the authorities and the industry for taking photos at the Yasukuni Shrine in Japan.