Polarization and Rectification: Misbehavior of Giant Panda Fans—Manifestations, Causes, and Governance

Abstract

Fandom culture, as a form of subculture, has garnered widespread attention across various sectors in recent years. The giant panda, a cherished species in China, has seen many individuals rise to online fame recently, propelled by live streaming and short videos, attracting a large number of fans. However, public incidents such as the “Warmth the Panda being hit” controversy have revealed concerns about the encroachment of pathological fandom culture into the “panda community.” Based on participatory observation of the Weibo super topic “Giant Panda He Hua”, this study finds that the frequent occurrence of misbehaviors—such as malicious rumormongering, rival-bashing, and attacking pandas or keepers, and disrupting normal zoo operations—is driven by several factors. These include some fans’ feelings toward giant pandas evolving from an “interest” into an extreme, profound, and constructed mother-child relationship, as well as blind conformity under group pressure and the erosion of group values among fans. Correcting this radicalized phenomenon requires a multi-pronged approach involving the state, platforms, panda institutions, fan communities, and individual fans. The goal is to guide fans to integrate with mainstream culture while expressing their emotions, thereby fostering their self-development through rational engagement with pandas.