Representation of Girl Group BNK48 on Social Media

Abstract

The thesis titled “Representation of Girl Group BNK48 on Social Media” aims to investigate how the girl group BNK48 is represented on social media. Using qualitative research methodology, specifically textual analysis, this study employs purposive sampling to collect relevant data. The data encompassed various categories, including 1) news about awards or nominations, 2) Single Senbatsu General Election, 3) news concerning graduation announcements, and 4) controversies involving the artists. Historical data from 2018 to 2022, a period during the artists are most talked about on social media was collected from the official fan page on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/bnk 48official).

The research results found that BNK48 represents women who are typical of Japanese-Thai idols. In the case of news about receiving award, hilights the group member as a well-behaved youth and being a role model accepted by the general public and society. Becoming a member of BNK48 involves being a role. During model in Thai society.This encourage fans to follow and support them, leading to the artists be recognized as idols. Consequently, idol artists become influencers among adolescent groups and fan clubs, influencing adherence to societal norms as reflected in the representations of women deemed acceptable news about  the Single Senbatsu General Election, it reflects modern women who step into competitive professional space to achieve success in the entertainment industry. Regarding news about graduation annoucements, it marks the end of women as BNK48 artists. The graduation signifies the expiration of young women, as cultural goods artists. Furthermore, controversies surrounding artists hilight the control over their self-expression in private spaces to ensure they do not exhibit characteristics or image that go against the standards set be their affiliation.