Kanti Gudur

Date of Award

2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

Second Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Clark, Maribeth

Area of Concentration

Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies

Abstract

This interdisciplinary thesis examines trends of Indianness in the context of K-pop and is accompanied by a performance component in the form of a video essay. Through analysis of multi-media sources, I establish and explore the relationship between performances of racial and ethnic identity and K-pop. This is accomplished by analyzing trends of Indianness from the last decade through the lenses of Performance Studies and Psychology. The video essay and thesis are complements to each other, as they both examine the same sites of analysis, but are directed toward different audiences. The thesis prioritizes thoroughness and interaction with theory, while the video essay prioritizes entertainment and accessibility. Scholars who theorize the workings of performance and/or race in contemporary global settings, such as E. Patrick Johnson, Joseph R. Barndt, and Judith Butler, provide a foundation for my analysis of three performances related to K-pop—“Curry” by Norazo, “Bole Chudiyan”, covered by AleXa and IN2IT, and “Paint the Town” by LOONA. In contrast, the video essay addresses a K-pop fan-based audience in a conversational style. It features me on-camera, discussing myself, my relationship to K-pop, and the trends of Indianness I have noticed in K-pop. I analyze the same three sites as in the written thesis but present the information in a simple and concise format. I then discuss fandom discourses and implications of shallow constructions of Indian identity in K-pop for Indian people and fans. The video essay ends with considering solutions and challenges the viewer to consider empathizing and educating instead of “canceling” idols.

Additional Files
Thesis Video Essay third draft 12-2-21.zip (238971 kB)
Download

Share

COinS