So-Hyun Lee, Soobin Choi and Hee-Woong Kim
The purpose of this paper is to explore the key success factors behind Bangtan Boys’ (BTS) popularity, and how they can contribute to sustaining it, along with detailed strategies…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the key success factors behind Bangtan Boys’ (BTS) popularity, and how they can contribute to sustaining it, along with detailed strategies for the success of global pop.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts a mixed-methods approach that uses text mining and interviews and uses the success of BTS to find the key factors accounting for its sustained popularity. For use in text mining, we collected data related to BTS from social network sites (SNS) and analyzed this data using latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) topic modeling, term frequency analysis and keyword extraction. In addition, we conducted interviews to explore the key factors accounting for the sustained popularity of BTS.
Findings
We found ten key success factors—active global fandom, SNS communication, fans' loyalty, empathy through music, storytelling and world view, performance quality, music video quality, overseas expansion at an early stage, efforts for self-development and teamwork among members— for a global pop group's success and sustained popularity.
Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to the literature by finding key factors for success and sustained popularity of a global group through using a mixed-methods approach.
Practical implications
Our results suggest strategies to sustain the popularity of global groups and its potential to benefit across the entertainment industry.
Originality/value
This study is among the first to comprehensively examine the key factors for Korean pop’s (K-pop) sustained popularity by using a mixed-methods approach of text mining and interviews.
Details
Keywords
So-Hyun Lee, Su-Jin Choi and Hee-Woong Kim
Social network services (SNS) gifting is a new business model, but many SNS providers continue to face challenges as they explore ways to increase their revenues from gifting. The…
Abstract
Purpose
Social network services (SNS) gifting is a new business model, but many SNS providers continue to face challenges as they explore ways to increase their revenues from gifting. The purpose of this paper is to examine the key factors involved in gift giving via SNS platforms.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts a mixed methods approach through qualitative and quantitative research. In the first stage (qualitative study), the authors extract factors from interviews with users of SNS gifting services. In the second stage (quantitative study), the authors interpret decisional factors explored in the first stage on the basis of customer value theory, develop a research model and empirically test it.
Findings
The results show that five factors – convenience of SNS gifting, symbolic representation of SNS gifting, relationship support of SNS gifting, pleasure of SNS gifting, and an SNS gifting norm – directly or indirectly affect SNS gifting decisions.
Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to electronic commerce research by extending the customer value theory and adding to the literature on SNS gifting and gift giving in general.
Practical implications
The study informs SNS providers regarding the promotion of SNS gifting services for revenue generation.
Originality/value
This study is among the first to comprehensively examine decision-making in SNS gifting through the lens of customer value theory.
Details
Keywords
Diane So-Hyun Park, Seung-Chul Kim and Paul Hong
This study explores the global phenomenon of BangTan Sonyeondan (BTS), a Korean singing group, from an under-researched art and entertainment market perspective. We introduce a…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the global phenomenon of BangTan Sonyeondan (BTS), a Korean singing group, from an under-researched art and entertainment market perspective. We introduce a research model to delineate the impacts of leadership motivation, socio-technological practices and global prominence outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
The theoretical foundation clarifies the research context, justifying the relevance of key concepts, linking them to primary research questions and forming the basis for a well-structured empirical investigation. Our research model presents the flows of leadership influence, training practices, technology use and global prominence outcomes. Utilizing a survey instrument, we gathered data from BTS fans and analyzed the empirical findings.
Findings
BTS’s success is attributed to unique factors: (1) upstream flow of leadership influence; (2) process flow of internal service training and technological excellence, fostering stakeholder enthusiasm. The results indicate that service empowerment leadership is crucial in driving talent development and appropriate technology use, enhancing brand reputation. Fan loyalty and collective passion are key moderators in these dynamics.
Research limitations/implications
While focused on BTS, our findings have broader applicability in entertainment organizations, underscoring the relevance of socio-technological theory in understanding phenomena similar to BTS’s success.
Practical implications
Long-term brand performance in service organizations extends beyond financial metrics and necessitates empowering service leadership, training for key performers, technological infrastructure and managing personal interactions and group dynamics.
Originality/value
This study is unique in applying a leadership motivation perspective and socio-technological theory to BTS’s long-term success, utilizing BTS fans’ views to examine and assess their success factors and outcomes.