So Far Away, Yet So Close : A Study on How Intimacy Is Attempted to Be Produced in Girlfriend Roleplay ASMR Videos on YouTube

Abstract: This study examines how ASMRtists, people that create ASMR videos, attempt to create intimacy in their videos on YouTube. ASMR stands for Audio Sensory Meridian Response and is a tingling sensation within the body that can be triggered by various stimuli, such as visuals and sounds. This study processes girlfriend roleplay ASMR, which is when female ASMRtists roleplay being the viewer's girlfriend. ASMR and girlfriend roleplay ASMR are relatively new phenomena which have emerged through digitalization and its reconstruction of the concept of intimacy. It has yet to be scientifically researched and this study contributes to the research gap. Through conducting semiotic video analyzes, this study explores how the ASMRtists attempt to produce intimacy in their girlfriend roleplay ASMR videos. The result landed in that the ASMRtists attempt to produce intimacy in various creative ways that override the screen. It is likely that the ASMRtists attempt to generate both an emotional and physical connection to the viewer through combining elements from real-life relationships and different ASMR triggers. Through making use of theories of dramaturgy, the male gaze and gender displays, the study has analyzed the material and uncovered norms and structures in society that the ASMRtists arguably rely on. The number of people that consumes these videos shows that there is a demand for new ways of creating intimacy. The development of digitalization will most likely continue to open up new forms of digital intimacy which makes it an exciting topic to conduct further research on.