The BTS ARMY on TikTok, How Fans Form Connection and Community Through Social Media – Kahlee Thomason - Social Media, Communities, & Networks Conference 2026: Semester 1 & SP1

The BTS ARMY on TikTok, How Fans Form Connection and Community Through Social Media – Kahlee Thomason

Posted on

24/04/2026

This presentation explores how people form communities through social media, using the BTS ARMY on TikTok as a case study. By analysing public TikTok posts, including videos, captions and comment sections, it identifies how fans connect and interact online.
The findings show that communities are formed through shared identity, participation, global interaction and emotional support. Fans express belonging through common language, active creation and engagement with content, as well as connection with others across different countries. Many also use the platform to share personal experiences and support one another.
Overall, the presentation demonstrates that social media platforms like TikTok help people form communities by enabling shared interaction, creativity and connection.

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One response to “The BTS ARMY on TikTok, How Fans Form Connection and Community Through Social Media – Kahlee Thomason”

chrissamuels

08/05/2026

Hi Kahlee,

As someone who isn’t a listener of K-pop it was great to learn a few things about K-pop but more specifically BTS.

question 1: you describe TikTok as enabling meaningful communities. Do you think that these digital communities can replace offline social connections or do they both have their own purposes

question 2: While your case study focused on BTS do you think smaller or less popular fan communities can build a similar strong sense of identity and participation as the BTS ARMY, or does the popularity of BTS make their community unique with its identity.

question 3: you mentioned how BTS fans connect despite their geographic distance. How do you think that the cultural or language differences within the communities work to shape or challenge the sense of community.

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Social Media, Communities, & Networks Conference 2026: Semester 1 & SP1