BlackPink in Contested Space of Meaning: A Netnographic Study of Netizens’ Perception

Cultural heritage in conflict is not limited solely to tangible and physical spaces but also encompasses the history and meaning behind it, which can be interpreted and perceived in different  ways. These differences can lead to contested spaces of meaning, resulting in the destruction of cultural heritage. This study takes the contested space of meaning surrounding the Supachalasai National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, as a case study. The stadium has a rich history dating back to its construction in 1937, including its role in the People’s Party uprising in 1932 and subsequent political changes in Thailand. However, the stadium’s meaning and history have been repositioned over time due to political changes. This paper explores how the netizens perceive the stadium and its connection to the People’s Party through a netnography approach, analyzing online contents and comments on Facebook related to a controversial BlackPink world tour concert held at the stadium. Data was collected from January 5–15, 2023, resulting in 27 posts and 15,576 comments that were analyzed using NVIVO software to identify themes, patterns, and differences in perception. The study contributes to the understanding of how the contested space of meaning surrounding a cultural heritage has diverse and conflicting online perspectives on the stadium’s history, architecture, and connection to the People’s Party, reflecting the political repositioning of the heritage site over time.