Representations of Korean Dramas in Indonesian Audience Discourse: A Topic Modeling Analysis of YouTube Comments

Authors

  • Perdhani Yunia Putri National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)
  • Purwadi National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18326/inject.v10i1.4525

Keywords:

Audience Perceptions, Indonesia, Korean Drama, K-Drama, YouTube

Abstract

Korean dramas (K-Dramas) have become extremely popular among Indonesian audiences, offering an often idealized and romanticized depiction of Korean culture. This study examines the dynamics of Indonesian audiences’ perceptions of Korean dramas (K-Dramas) by analyzing comments on YouTube videos. This study uses topic modeling analysis to examine Indonesian audiences’ reactions through YouTube comments (85,840 comments from 720 videos). The study began with 15 topics generated by a topic modeling algorithm. Upon further analysis, the study found that several of these topics were closely related, leading to the consolidation of these topics into four broader main topics: (1) K-Drama as Entertainment, (2) Cultural Representations and Social Issues, (3) Personal Relationships and Family Dynamics, and (4) Social Reactions and National Dignity. This research implies that the findings can be used by policymakers and media industry players to develop strategies that support constructive cultural dialogue and develop content with more culturally sensitive narratives.

Author Biographies

Perdhani Yunia Putri , National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)

Perdhani Yunia Putri graduated from Universitas Nasional with a major in Political Science. She is currently a Researcher at the Research Center for Society and Culture at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). Her interests include digital society and culture. Prior to joining BRIN, she worked as a researcher at the National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia.

Purwadi, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)

Purwadi is a researcher and communication practitioner with over a decade of experience. He currently works as a researcher at the Research Center for Society and Culture at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), where his research focuses on new media and communication technology, digital society, culture studies, and communication policy. Before this role, Purwadi was a public relations practitioner at the Bureau for Cooperation, Law, and Public Relations at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI). He also has experience in science journalism and expertise in mass media relations, website and social media content management, and public information management.

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Published

2025-07-15

How to Cite

Putri , P. Y., & Purwadi. (2025). Representations of Korean Dramas in Indonesian Audience Discourse: A Topic Modeling Analysis of YouTube Comments. INJECT (Interdisciplinary Journal of Communication), 10(1), 989–1010. https://doi.org/10.18326/inject.v10i1.4525

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2025)

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Articles

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