In online contexts, RPF commonly stands for Real Person Fiction or Real People Fiction, a genre of writing that features actual celebrities, historical figures, public personalities, or other real individuals as characters in fictional stories. It is a subset of fan fiction but distinguishes itself by using real people rather than characters from pre-existing fictional universes.
Understanding Real Person Fiction (RPF)
RPF is a popular genre found across various online communities and fan platforms. While sharing many characteristics with traditional fan fiction, such as exploring relationships, developing alternative scenarios, or creating new narratives, RPF specifically centers its stories around individuals who exist in the real world. This can include musicians, actors, athletes, YouTubers, politicians, or even historical figures.
The core concept of RPF is to imagine and write stories involving these real individuals, often exploring their perceived personalities, relationships, or what-if scenarios within a fictional framework.
Key Characteristics and Distinctions
RPF has several defining features that set it apart:
- Real Individuals as Characters: The most significant characteristic is the use of real people as the protagonists and supporting characters. These can be contemporary figures or historical ones.
- Fan Fiction Roots: RPF shares the creative freedom and community aspects common to fan fiction. Writers often draw inspiration from public personas, interviews, or documented interactions of the real people involved.
- Diverse Genres and Settings: Like traditional fan fiction, RPF can span a multitude of genres, including romance, drama, adventure, and even fantastical alternate universes (AUs) where real people are placed in entirely fictional scenarios.
- Community-Driven: RPF thrives in online fandoms where fans create, share, and discuss these stories within a supportive community.
- Ethical Considerations: Due to its nature, RPF often sparks discussions about privacy, consent, and the ethics of fictionalizing the lives and relationships of real, non-consenting individuals. This is a significant aspect of the discourse surrounding the genre.
Where RPF is Found Online
RPF is predominantly found in various online spaces dedicated to fan creation and community interaction:
- Fanfiction Archives: Major fanfiction hosting platforms, such as Archive of Our Own (AO3) and FanFiction.Net (though less common there for RPF), host extensive collections of real person fiction under specific tags or categories.
- Social Media: Platforms like Tumblr, Twitter, and TikTok are popular for sharing shorter RPF works, headcanons, fan theories, and discussions related to the genre.
- Dedicated Forums and Communities: Niche forums, subreddits, and private online groups centered around specific celebrities, musical groups (e.g., K-pop bands), or sports teams often serve as hubs for RPF creation and sharing.
Understanding RPF at a Glance
For clarity, here's a quick summary:
| Term | Full Meaning | Category | Characters | Common Online Contexts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RPF | Real Person Fiction / Real People Fiction | Fanfiction genre | Celebrities, musicians, athletes, historical figures, etc. | Online fan communities, fanfiction archives (e.g., AO3), social media, dedicated forums |
Examples and Practical Insights
- Band RPF: Stories focusing on the members of a popular music group, exploring their inter-personal relationships or imagining their lives off-stage.
- Actor RPF: Narratives centered around actors from a specific film or TV show, often pairing them in fictional romantic or platonic relationships.
- Historical RPF: Fictionalized accounts involving historical figures, sometimes weaving speculative personal lives or interactions into their documented history.
RPF allows fans to engage with their admiration for real people in a creative and imaginative way, though it always exists within the ongoing conversation about privacy and fictional portrayal.
