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My Real Fake Boyfriend: Gendered Performance, Female Agents, and Reclaiming the Female Gaze in Otome Gaming

archives@tulane.edu / This study presents an analysis of otome, dating simulator games popularized throughout Japan and South Korea, specifically exploring how the fictive relationship formed between the female main character (MC) and various male non-player characters (NPCs) enables the user to adopt the role of sexual and emotional agent. By examining the degree to which player choice influences a game’s plot, character development, and the tenor of the romantic relationship formed between MC and NPC, this research will seek to contextualize otome games as a digital affinity space uniquely positioned to address female fantasy and respond to culturally informed demographic changes relating to dating, sex, and marriage in South Korea and Japan. Using examples of Korean and Japanese otome titles across multiple platforms and related trends in popular culture and media, this paper will conclude with an examination of the gendered, emotional labor necessitated by the typical otome game structure as a method of reframing the commodification of the shojo archetype from a female perspective. / 1 / Meredith Connelly

  1. tulane:119739
Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:TULANE/oai:http://digitallibrary.tulane.edu/:tulane_119739
Date January 2020
ContributorsConnelly, Meredith (author), Delila Omerbašić (Thesis advisor), Yatsuka-Jensen, Saeko (Thesis advisor), Adams, Michele (Thesis advisor), School of Professional Advancement Liberal Arts (Degree granting institution)
PublisherTulane University
Source SetsTulane University
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeText
Formatelectronic, pages:  59
RightsNo embargo, Copyright is in accordance with U.S. Copyright law.

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