ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book analyses the nationalistic discourse constructed by fans through the role of fan production and reception of culture. It discusses existing studies on popular culture, fandom and nationalism in China and provides a background of cultural policies and the control over the foreign popular culture. The book introduces the dissemination of Japanese and Korean popular culture in China. It examines the individual level actions of fans in the real world when they are not organised in an online community. The book adopts discourse analysis to explore how fans construct alternative historical narratives that deviate from official patriotism. It also discusses the role of the anti-fan in mobilising nationalistic sentiments and look at the negotiation of different nationalistic discourses in the online public sphere. The book points out dynamics in the changing interaction between fan culture and nationalism among Chinese youth.
