A chat ‘Bubble’ just for you and your K-pop idol

Dear U Bubble, or simply Bubble,  is a mobile app that offers online chat service between idols and their fans. It’s another platform for parasocial interaction, but it feels the most intimate of all.  

First, the interface of Bubble looks and feels like a chatroom. It sends notifications to your phone like a regular messaging platform.  There’s an option to translate Hangul into English and several other languages. Bear in mind that the translations are imperfect.  

The power to choose lies within the user. To access the chatroom, tickets must be bought from the Store.  Tickets start at P220 per artist and minimal discounts are given if you purchase more.  The amount doesn’t seem much at first, but it quickly adds up if you subscribe to several artists. But is it worth it?

I bought several tickets for two bt the beginning. I was confident that I would be able to walk away from it once the month is over. It only goes to show how I underestimated the addicting pleasure of having a perceived direct line to my favorite artists. 

Flirting

The first week woy groups from two different agencies as an experiment for this article. 

There were little expectations aas the most interesting. As a background, I mostly follow second generation to early third generation Kpop artists.   Which is why supporting a fourth generation group has its unintended effects. Idols often flirt with their fans, making them feel that they are the most important person in the world. It’s what makes the parasocial relationship special. 

Read more: https://inquirersuper.com.ph/featured/this-is-bubble/