GAMBARAN PERTEMANAN ONLINE PADA PENGGEMAR BTS (ARMY)

Abstract

The phenomenon of online friendship among BTS fans (ARMY) is a significant manifestation of social interaction in the digital era. This study aims to analyze the nature of these online friendships by examining aspects of sharing, voluntariness, mutual support, and companionship. Using a descriptive quantitative design, the study involved 379 participants recruited through purposive sampling and measured using the Online Friendship Scale. Data analysis revealed that the majority of respondents (59.4%) fell into the high category of online friendship, followed by 34.6% in the moderate category, and 6.1% in the low category. Specific findings indicate that sharing dominates the interaction, indicating that the exchange of information and content is the primary activity in these relationships, followed by a strong voluntariness aspect. Conversely, mutual support was noted as the weakest element, with support tending to be functional and informative rather than emotional. This study concludes that although the ARMY fandom successfully facilitates strong social bonds and voluntary collective participation, the depth of emotional connections between members in the virtual space remains limited compared to the exchange of information.

ABSTRAK

Fenomena pertemanan daring di kalangan penggemar BTS (ARMY) merupakan manifestasi interaksi sosial yang signifikan di era digital. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis gambaran pertemanan online tersebut dengan membedah aspek sharing, voluntariness, mutual support, dan companionship. Menggunakan desain kuantitatif deskriptif, penelitian melibatkan 379 partisipan yang direkrut melalui teknik purposive sampling dan diukur menggunakan Online Friendship Scale. Hasil analisis data mengungkapkan bahwa mayoritas responden berada pada kategori pertemanan online yang tinggi sebesar 59,4%, diikuti kategori sedang 34,6%, dan rendah 6,1%. Temuan spesifik menunjukkan bahwa aspek sharing mendominasi interaksi, yang menandakan bahwa pertukaran informasi dan konten merupakan aktivitas utama dalam relasi ini, diikuti oleh kuatnya aspek voluntariness. Sebaliknya, aspek mutual support tercatat sebagai elemen terlemah, di mana dukungan yang diberikan cenderung bersifat fungsional dan informatif dibandingkan emosional. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa meskipun fandom ARMY berhasil memfasilitasi ikatan sosial yang kuat dan partisipasi kolektif yang sukarela, kedalaman hubungan emosional antaranggota di ruang virtual masih terbatas dibandingkan aspek pertukaran informasi.