Observations of Chinese fandom: organizational characteristics and the relationships inside and outside the “Fan circle”

Abstract Chinese “Fan circle” oscillate between receiving praise for their charitable endeavors and being shunned by society because of their “toxic fan culture”. This study reveals that “Fan circle “are quasi-organizational communities that heavily rely on cultural links, emotional discipline, and consent to commercial interference. While they may have some understanding of the structural benefits that social changes bring to the entertainment industry, they seem to lack the ability to comprehend the limitations imposed by national policies. Additionally, they struggle to adhere to established norms and public order when organizing internal or external interactions. “Fan circle” are advised to understand the limitations of policies, and the uniqueness and complexity of these quasi-organizational communities should also be considered in the formulation of regulatory policies.