INTERACTIONS IN THE LIFEWORLD OF Y-NOVEL READERS

Abstract

This research is a qualitative study aiming to analyze the characteristics of the public spaces inhabited by readers of Boys' Love (BL) novels within their lifeworld and to examine the interactions of BL novel readers in these public spaces through the lifeworld perspective. The methodology employed follows narrative inquiry under the constructivist paradigm. The study selects a theoretical narrative group of BL novel readers who engage with these novels both in book form and online platforms, and who participate in discussions about BL novels on these online platforms or have interactions among reader groups. The sample consists of 10 individuals aged 15-45, representing all genders to ensure diversity in the data. A purposive sampling method is used, focusing on those who interact both offline and online. In-depth interviews are conducted to collect data, leading to an understanding of various groups of BL novel readers. The researcher utilizes Van Maanen's approach to data analysis, interpreting and extracting the essence of the experiences from the narrators. Reflective thinking and analysis are applied to identify key components of the data through the main conceptual framework established by the researcher. The results reveal that the public spaces within the lifeworld of BL novel readers, and the interactions within this lifeworld, serve as venues for the free exchange or transformation of opinions. The lifeworld functions as a medium for transmitting knowledge through interpersonal interactions and acts as a safeguard against social fragmentation, as it comprises shared assumptions and areas of knowledge that facilitate consensual conclusions during interactions or debates.