BETWEEN FANDOM AND RELIGIOUS REFLECTION: K-POP FANS’ RECEPTION OF FUADH NAIM’S DA‘WAH ON YOUTUBE

Abstract

This study examines K-pop fans’ reception of Fuadh Naim’s Islamic preaching in the YouTube playlist Pernah Tenggelam. A qualitative approach using Stuart Hall’s reception analysis was employed to identify dominant-hegemonic, negotiated, and oppositional positions. Data were collected through observation of 80 comments, which were reduced to 17 relevant comments, and in-depth interviews with four informants aged 15–30 who actively followed K-pop and had watched the playlist. The data were analyzed using Miles and Huberman’s interactive model through data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings show that 12 comments and two informants occupied the dominant-hegemonic position, while five comments and two informants occupied the negotiated position; no oppositional position was identified. Dominant reception was characterized by agreement with messages of self-control, religious reflection, and reevaluation of fandom involvement. Negotiated reception emerged when audiences accepted criticism of excessive fandom but retained their identity as fans by limiting the intensity of fangirling or fanboying. The absence of oppositional readings was associated with Fuadh Naim’s persuasive, empathetic, and experience-based preaching style as a former Korean Wave fan, although audience self-selection and comment participation must also be considered. The study concludes that shared experience and a nonconfrontational approach broaden the acceptance of digital Islamic preaching within fandom communities.