Idolizing the nation: Chinese fandom nationalism through the Fangirl Expedition

Abstract The Fangirl Expedition took place during protests against the amended 2019 Hong Kong Extradition Bill. Chinese Fangirls mobilized by visiting blocked foreign social websites and attacking posts critical of the Chinese government. This paper investigates how Fangirls, originally a non-politicized group, successfully mobilized a massive nationalist action in cyberspace. In a departure from previous male-led cyber-nationalist movements, Fangirls innovatively created an idolized image of the nation, accommodated political agendas using the language of fandom, and used existing fandom networks and tactics. This paper explores in depth the mobilization process of the Fangirl Expedition and its unique cause, discourses, and tactics. As yet, the repercussions of the activism have not yet been fully revealed.