How I love and hate my idol: Derisive fandom (Ruzhui) and the tug zone of identity, emotion and morality in Chinese fan culture
European Journal of Cultural Studies
Published online on February 18, 2026
Abstract
European Journal of Cultural Studies, Ahead of Print.
This study investigates derisive fandom (Ruzhui), an ambivalent practice within Chinese fan culture, in which fans simultaneously deride idols while remaining deeply invested in them. Based on 1 year of participant observation and 28 in-depth interviews, ...
This study investigates derisive fandom (Ruzhui), an ambivalent practice within Chinese fan culture, in which fans simultaneously deride idols while remaining deeply invested in them. Based on 1 year of participant observation and 28 in-depth interviews, ...