Advertisement

K-pop role-playing: Why some Singaporeans are pretending to be their idols

For the past three years at least, the rise of Korean pop in the music industry has led to the advent of K-pop role-playing.

Yes, not only are die-hard fans spending heaps of money on expensive concert tickets and queuing long hours for meet-and-greet opportunities, some of them are also pretending to be their idols.

These K-pop role-players set up accounts on Twitter, Facebook or Tumblr using avatars showing images of K-pop idols and adding bio details that are the same as the actual celebrities.

Here are examples of role-players from Singapore. These Facebook users are also members of K-pop role-player groups created on the platform.

A Facebook screen grab of an account by a Singapore K-pop role-player. 
A Facebook screen grab of an account by a Singapore K-pop role-player. 

 

A Facebook screen grab of an account by a Singapore K-pop role-player. 
A Facebook screen grab of an account by a Singapore K-pop role-player. 

 

A Facebook screen grab of an account by a Singapore K-pop role-player. 
A Facebook screen grab of an account by a Singapore K-pop role-player. 

 

According to Roleplayers Diary, a website dedicated to “International Roleplayers on Twitter”, role-players are people who “portray their idols” through the social accounts.

They are often misunderstood as fakes or posers of celebrity accounts, even though some of them state clearly that they are only role-playing and do not tell viewers that they are the real deal.

Role-players around the world generally “portray” their idols by sending out tweets or Facebook statuses sounding like them.

For example, Twitter user @BAP_Himchank, a role-player of Himchan from Korean boyband B.A.P and who has more than 3,000 followers, sent out a tweet about the band’s touring experience as if he was a part of them. Most role-players have around 300 followers.

 

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>30</o:Words> <o:Characters>171</o:Characters> <o:Company>Yahoo, Inc.</o:Company> <o:Lines>1</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>200</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>14.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG></o:AllowPNG> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves></w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting></w:TrackFormatting> <w:PunctuationKerning></w:PunctuationKerning> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas></w:ValidateAgainstSchemas> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF></w:DoNotPromoteQF> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables></w:BreakWrappedTables> <w:SnapToGridInCell></w:SnapToGridInCell> <w:WrapTextWithPunct></w:WrapTextWithPunct> <w:UseAsianBreakRules></w:UseAsianBreakRules> <w:DontGrowAutofit></w:DontGrowAutofit> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark></w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning></w:EnableOpenTypeKerning> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents></w:DontFlipMirrorIndents> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps></w:OverrideTableStyleHps> <w:UseFELayout></w:UseFELayout> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val=Cambria Math></m:mathFont> <m:brkBin m:val=before></m:brkBin> <m:brkBinSub m:val=&#45;-></m:brkBinSub> <m:smallFrac m:val=off></m:smallFrac> <m:dispDef></m:dispDef> <m:lMargin m:val=0></m:lMargin> <m:rMargin m:val=0></m:rMargin> <m:defJc m:val=centerGroup></m:defJc> <m:wrapIndent m:val=1440></m:wrapIndent> <m:intLim m:val=subSup></m:intLim> <m:naryLim m:val=undOvr></m:naryLim> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState=false DefUnhideWhenUsed=true DefSemiHidden=true DefQFormat=false DefPriority=99 LatentStyleCount=276> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=0 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false QFormat=true Name=Normal></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=9 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false QFormat=true Name=heading 1></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=9 QFormat=true Name=heading 2></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=9 QFormat=true Name=heading 3></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=9 QFormat=true Name=heading 4></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=9 QFormat=true Name=heading 5></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=9 QFormat=true Name=heading 6></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=9 QFormat=true Name=heading 7></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=9 QFormat=true Name=heading 8></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=9 QFormat=true Name=heading 9></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=39 Name=toc 1></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=39 Name=toc 2></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=39 Name=toc 3></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=39 Name=toc 4></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=39 Name=toc 5></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=39 Name=toc 6></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=39 Name=toc 7></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=39 Name=toc 8></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=39 Name=toc 9></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=35 QFormat=true Name=caption></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=10 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false QFormat=true Name=Title></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=1 Name=Default Paragraph Font></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=11 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false QFormat=true Name=Subtitle></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=22 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false QFormat=true Name=Strong></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=20 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false QFormat=true Name=Emphasis></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=59 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Table Grid></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Placeholder Text></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=1 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false QFormat=true Name=No Spacing></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=60 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Light Shading></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=61 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Light List></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=62 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Light Grid></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=63 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Shading 1></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=64 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Shading 2></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=65 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium List 1></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=66 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium List 2></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=67 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Grid 1></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=68 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Grid 2></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=69 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Grid 3></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=70 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Dark List></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=71 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Colorful Shading></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=72 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Colorful List></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=73 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Colorful Grid></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=60 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Light Shading Accent 1></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=61 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Light List Accent 1></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=62 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Light Grid Accent 1></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=63 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Shading 1 Accent 1></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=64 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Shading 2 Accent 1></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=65 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium List 1 Accent 1></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Revision></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=34 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false QFormat=true Name=List Paragraph></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=29 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false QFormat=true Name=Quote></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=30 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false QFormat=true Name=Intense Quote></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=66 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium List 2 Accent 1></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=67 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Grid 1 Accent 1></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=68 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Grid 2 Accent 1></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=69 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Grid 3 Accent 1></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=70 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Dark List Accent 1></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=71 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Colorful Shading Accent 1></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=72 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Colorful List Accent 1></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=73 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Colorful Grid Accent 1></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=60 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Light Shading Accent 2></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=61 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Light List Accent 2></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=62 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Light Grid Accent 2></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=63 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Shading 1 Accent 2></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=64 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Shading 2 Accent 2></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=65 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium List 1 Accent 2></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=66 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium List 2 Accent 2></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=67 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Grid 1 Accent 2></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=68 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Grid 2 Accent 2></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=69 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Grid 3 Accent 2></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=70 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Dark List Accent 2></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=71 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Colorful Shading Accent 2></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=72 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Colorful List Accent 2></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=73 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Colorful Grid Accent 2></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=60 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Light Shading Accent 3></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=61 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Light List Accent 3></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=62 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Light Grid Accent 3></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=63 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Shading 1 Accent 3></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=64 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Shading 2 Accent 3></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=65 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium List 1 Accent 3></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=66 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium List 2 Accent 3></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=67 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Grid 1 Accent 3></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=68 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Grid 2 Accent 3></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=69 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Grid 3 Accent 3></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=70 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Dark List Accent 3></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=71 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Colorful Shading Accent 3></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=72 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Colorful List Accent 3></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=73 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Colorful Grid Accent 3></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=60 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Light Shading Accent 4></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=61 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Light List Accent 4></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=62 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Light Grid Accent 4></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=63 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Shading 1 Accent 4></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=64 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Shading 2 Accent 4></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=65 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium List 1 Accent 4></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=66 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium List 2 Accent 4></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=67 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Grid 1 Accent 4></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=68 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Grid 2 Accent 4></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=69 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Grid 3 Accent 4></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=70 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Dark List Accent 4></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=71 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Colorful Shading Accent 4></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=72 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Colorful List Accent 4></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=73 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Colorful Grid Accent 4></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=60 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Light Shading Accent 5></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=61 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Light List Accent 5></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=62 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Light Grid Accent 5></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=63 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Shading 1 Accent 5></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=64 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Shading 2 Accent 5></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=65 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium List 1 Accent 5></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=66 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium List 2 Accent 5></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=67 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Grid 1 Accent 5></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=68 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Grid 2 Accent 5></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=69 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Grid 3 Accent 5></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=70 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Dark List Accent 5></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=71 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Colorful Shading Accent 5></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=72 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Colorful List Accent 5></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=73 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Colorful Grid Accent 5></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=60 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Light Shading Accent 6></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=61 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Light List Accent 6></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=62 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Light Grid Accent 6></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=63 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Shading 1 Accent 6></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=64 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Shading 2 Accent 6></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=65 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium List 1 Accent 6></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=66 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium List 2 Accent 6></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=67 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Grid 1 Accent 6></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=68 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Grid 2 Accent 6></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=69 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Medium Grid 3 Accent 6></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=70 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Dark List Accent 6></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=71 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Colorful Shading Accent 6></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=72 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Colorful List Accent 6></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=73 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false Name=Colorful Grid Accent 6></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=19 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false QFormat=true Name=Subtle Emphasis></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=21 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false QFormat=true Name=Intense Emphasis></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=31 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false QFormat=true Name=Subtle Reference></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=32 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false QFormat=true Name=Intense Reference></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=33 SemiHidden=false UnhideWhenUsed=false QFormat=true Name=Book Title></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=37 Name=Bibliography></w:LsdException> <w:LsdException Locked=false Priority=39 QFormat=true Name=TOC Heading></w:LsdException> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--><span style=font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS 明朝'; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;>Twitter user @BAP_Himchank, a role-player of Himchan from Korean boyband B.A.P and who has more than 3,000 followers, sent out a tweet about the band&rsquo;s touring experience as if he was a part of them.&nbsp;</span><!--EndFragment-->
Twitter user @BAP_Himchank, a role-player of Himchan from Korean boyband B.A.P and who has more than 3,000 followers, sent out a tweet about the band’s touring experience as if he was a part of them. 

For Twitter user @mingkkki_21, who role-plays as Minzy from girl band 2NE1, the user sends out tweets describing her “friendship” with another member, Chaerin Lee (CL).

Why do people role-play?

According to the letters sent by other role-players to Roleplayers Diary, the reasons are mainly related to “running away from reality” and feeling “special” while pretending to be their idols.

There are many different types of role-playing. Besides the K-pop world, fans also indulge in role-playing Japanese pop and Hollywood idols.

For 22-year-old Singaporean role-player, Prisia Ong, she prefers to role-play in the “open world”.

The Singapore Polytechnic graduate, who studied Creative Writing, said she prefers role-playing on Gaia Online, which is the largest online role-playing community.

On the website, there are several threads she can join and develop her own characters based on the themes set by the thread administrators.

There are times when the administrators would give “nothing but place and time, and let you do whatever you want", said Ong, who has been role-playing for at least five years.

“Sometimes they [administrators] will give a futuristic setting or create a whole magic system with its own sets of rules for the characters,” she added.

Ong, who spends a few hours every day on online role-playing, admitted to having difficulties separating herself from her hobby and needs at least a month before she can “abandon” her hobby to focus on other things like her exams.

However, she added that the activity has also benefitted her in terms of developing her imagination and improving her writing skills.

This is how her profile looks like on Gaia Online:

A screen grab of Prisia Ong's Gaia Online profile.&nbsp;
A screen grab of Prisia Ong's Gaia Online profile.