Dual Exploitation and the Long Tail Effect: The Affective Labor of Chinese Real Person Slash Fan Production

Abstract

In contrast to previous studies that have focused on well-functioning fandoms, this study explores fan practices from a whole-process perspective, from fandom formation to collapse. In response to the issue of fan labor exploitation, the present study addresses fans’ investments and rewards from an affective value perspective, which has rarely been adopted in previous studies. Using participant observation and in-depth interview data from a Chinese real person slash fandom, this study finds that fans engage in affective and digital labor during their activities, creating surplus value in both affective and monetary dimensions for the entertainment industry. In addition, it shows a long tail effect on fan labor exploitation, as they still devote affective and digital labor to the object after their fandom collapses.