A "new" form of travel : Johnny's traveling fan culture

Abstract

This thesis examines a a??newa?? form of travel, which I have characterized as the a??traveling fan culturea??. The traveling fan culture is the result of the recognition that fans are increasingly becoming a a??newa?? variety of tourist. This thesis looks specifically at the Chinese Singaporean fans of the Johnnya??s idols to illustrate and show the significant aspects and characteristics of the traveling fan culture. The essence of the Johnnya??s traveling fan culture lies in the process of imagining. Indeed, it is the traveling fana??s imagination that propels and attaches her to Japan. Although it might be generally believed that the traveling fana??s attraction to Japan is a superficial one, the a??travel-fandom biographya?? will show that the idea of the a??quest for centera?? underlies the pull of Japan for the traveling fans. Also, examining the travels that are undertaken by the traveling fan, there is the suggestion that she is a tourist and also more than a tourist. As such, the traveling fan is no doubt an interesting variation of the a??post-moderna?? tourist.