Register to Buy and Sell Korean Pop Merchandise in The Line Application Group

Abstract

This study examines the form, meaning, and function of registers used in Korean Pop (K-Pop) merchandise buying and selling interactions on the LINE app group. This study is motivated by the language dynamics within the digital fandom community, which combines elements of Indonesian, English, and Korean, and develops into a unique language variety understood only by its members. The study uses a sociolinguistic approach with a qualitative descriptive method. Data in the form of written speech by members of the group "Baebae" during the period June–August 2025 were collected through the listening method with the SBLC technique and note-taking. Data analysis used the distribution method with the BUL, insert, and expand techniques to examine lingual forms, and the referential matching method with the PUP technique to determine the meaning and function of registers. The results show that the registers that emerge consist of basic words, complex words, abbreviations, and phrases originating from three languages, then experience shifts in meaning according to the context of online transactions. The registers function to convey instructions (instrumental function), provide information (information function), explore explanations (heuristic function), build interactions (interaction function), and express personal attitudes (personality function). These findings suggest that language variation within the K-Pop merchandise buying and selling community ONLINE not only plays a role in communication efficiency but also shapes social cohesion and group identity in the digital space.