PHOTOGRAPHY
Sarah Koeke – Can We Always Be This Close
by Sarah Koeke
« Over the past ten years, thanks to video streaming sites, K-Pop has become a global phenomenon, completely reshaping the relationship between the music industry and the image. K-pop stars, also known as idols, have become symbols of globalisation and the cultural power of South Korea and are asserting themselves as role models for many young people in the West. Can We Always Be This Close paints a complex picture of the links between image, identity, masculinity and fan culture. Through their social networks, young fans construct their identity online. The content produced seems superficial and narcissistic, but highlights essential topics such as gender normativity, social relationships or ethnic issues.»