HAVE you ever encountered a viral TikTok video where a famous KPop idol is linked to another Korean star, and both happen to be fluent in the Filipino language?
You get excited over these interactions, which come complete with photos grabbed from Pinterest and edited conversation screenshots, and wish that somehow, somewhere in a parallel dimension, this ship actually exists.
These fan-made stories are called alternate universes (AU), which initially emerged on Twitter.
Although fanfiction has long been present in the literary world, the new generation has tweaked the genre into more casual, more realistic presentations, often told through social media threads and short-form videos.
TikTok AUs are fake stories primarily told using several slides of photos in the video sharing site. These are composed of message conversations as well as tweet and Instagram story screenshots that present an alternative representation of reality.
These could also include video clips, mock news articles, and other audiovisual materials for a more compelling and authentic storytelling experience.
Oftentimes, these AUs feature prominent KPop ships, influencers, or celebrities.
AU stories mostly revolve around the themes of friendship and romance. There are also stories about revenge or the typical rags-to-riches trope.
The appeal of AUs
But why is it so popular, especially among the new generations?
KPop fan Lea Detubio said it was because an AU creates an entirely new world where these popular personas feel closer to her. One no longer needs to imagine the possibilities of a parallel world because it is already presented right before one’s eyes.
Detubio said it makes her feel like her idol is her friend who shares a piece of their life with her through photos and chat logs.
“Reading these AUs on TikTok, para kang sumisilip doon sa alternate life ng bias mo through edited photos and conversations, mas na-huhumanize sila,” she told republicasia.
“Parang friend mo na nag-send sa’yo ng screenshot ng chat nila ng crush nya,” she added.
Communication student Pamela Gonzales shares the same sentiments.
Gonzales noted that TikTok AUs are more fast-paced than those on Twitter, and are perfect for people with shorter attention spans. Also, the TikTok videos help readers immerse themselves in the story, thanks to the background music that can be incorporated in the AU content, she said.
Meanwhile, Gabbie Nicolas believes TikTok AUs are so popular because Filipinos can relate to the humor.
“Pang-kanal kasi yung humor sa TikTok saka Tagalog kaya mas relatable,” she said in a separate interview.
However, Detubio noted that there are some fans who go overboard when reading these stories. And because they don’t like their idols being paired with other well-loved artists, fan wars tend to occur.
“Mayroon kasing mga overprotective fans na hindi maintindihan na fiction lang naman yung AU and hindi reality, so kapag ayaw nila doon sa ship, nang-aaway sila ng ibang fandom,” she explained.
She stressed that fans should learn how to distinguish fiction from reality and should understand that what they see in social media is entirely different from the lives their idols are currently living.
