K-drama and Indonesian film hybridity in shaping youth identity: A postcolonial study

The intersection of Korean dramas (K-dramas) and Indonesian films has become an increasingly salient phenomenon, as both media forms have gained widespread popularity among youth audiences in Indonesia. This research article aims to explore how the hybridity of these two cultural products shapes the identity formation of Indonesian youth and the student reactions and reflections on this hybridized media issue through a simple ethnography. The data were taken from the representation of Indonesian films My Stupid Boss (2016) and Dilan 1990 (2018). To gain deeper insights into how hybridized media influence student perspectives, the theoretical framework for this analysis draws upon the concept of Postcolonial study of cultural hybridization developed by Homi K. Bhabha. Bhabha's theory of the "third space" posits that cultural identity is not a fixed, essentialist entity, but rather a fluid, negotiated process that arises from the interplay between dominant and marginal cultures. In this "third space," new forms of cultural expression and identification emerge that transcend binary notions of cultural purity. Unstructured interviews were also conducted with 20 students (10 male and 10 female) selected through purposive sampling. This sampling method was chosen to ensure a diverse representation of views while focusing on students who were active consumers of both Indonesian films and K-dramas. Participants were drawn from two higher education institutions: Universitas Bangka Belitung (UBB) and State Islamic Institute (IAIN) Syaikh Abdurrahman Siddik, both located in Bangka Belitung Province. The findings reveal several key insights: 1) the hybridization of cultural elements between K-dramas and Indonesian films, 2) the role of media consumption in identity formation and negotiation among Indonesian youth, 3) the potential for these media forms to serve as platforms for representation and challenging dominant narratives, and 4) the broader sociopolitical implications of this phenomenon. The significance of this research lies in its ability to contribute to the sociological understanding of the complex and dynamic relationship between media, culture, and identity. From the educational perspective, it is found that there are issues regarding the tension between global influence and cultural heritage, and embracing hybridization without losing cultural identity within students’ attitudes.