Fandom Trap: When the fictional world collides with real-life, reality.

This research examines the evolution of the global “Korean" wave and the Thai "BL-Series" (Boy's Love) industry, focusing on the business model of manufactured intimacy. It explores how "fan service" and digital accessibility foster deep parasocial relationships, transforming fans from passive viewers into financial stakeholders. This shift often leads to psychological ownership, where fans feel entitled to control an artist's personal life. The study specifically analyzes the "Fandom Trap," highlighting how financial investment can trigger aggressive behavioral control such as boycotts, public apologies, and harassment when an artist deviates from a marketed persona or "ship." Ultimately, the paper investigates how these dynamics compromise the artist's autonomy and affect the mental health and social stability of both the creator and the consumer.