In recent years, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services have gained immense popularity, particularly among young consumers. These services provide greater financial flexibility, enabling individuals to make purchases without needing upfront funds. According to the Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK), the outstanding BNPL amount reached IDR 25.6 trillion by the first half of 2023, with […]

In the wake of the pandemic, a novel aesthetic dubbed “Future Nostalgia” is taking shape, coined by the international pop sensation Dua Lipa on her second album. This concept is a blend of futuristic atmospheres and the nostalgic elements of past pop and subcultures, reimagining them for a new generation. In a striking revival, neon-like […]

Illusion of control, gamification, and economic anxiety in Indonesia’s gambling and gaming boom In the early 2000s, sales of a famous ice cream bar surged in Indonesia thanks to a prize quiz. Anyone who managed to collect a specified number of ice cream sticks featuring the PlayStation logo would win the latest PlayStation. Young people […]

If we think about the city of Solo, what comes to mind is President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), who is a former Mayor of Solo. During his tenure, Jokowi promoted various significant changes. His tangible and concrete leadership narrative set a high standard for the subsequent leadership of F.X. Hadi Rudy to the young leader Gibran […]

The Seeds of Change: How Youth Foster Healthy Behavior in a Developing Society Youth, the vibrant pulse of a society, holds immense power to shape its future. They are brimming with energy, idealism, and a willingness to learn and adapt. In a developing society, where progress hinges on a healthy and productive population, the role […]

In a striking shift that has captured the attention of sociologists and trend-watchers alike, Indonesia is experiencing an unprecedented drop in marriage rates, as revealed by the latest data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS). The number of marriages in 2023 has plummeted to its lowest point in the past decade.  Our interviews with […]

Navigating The Timeline of Indonesia’s Cool Young Figures Being “cool” is important for youths who are in a phase of self-discovery. “Cool” here refers to attitude, personality and the environment in which they hang out. In various periods, there were certain figures who were considered to embody the characteristics of cool for the youth of […]

The Battle of Interests: Among Indonesian Youth Indonesia has witnessed a surge in the popularity of esports, while traditional football has also experienced a recent viral spike. The rise of talented esports athletes are making their mark on the global stage while on the opposant side the current achievement of the national football team are […]

CAPTURING THE SOCIAL MEDIA FLEXING PHENOMENON IN INDONESIA The phenomenon of flexing wealth has become a widespread trend on Indonesian social media. This practice of showcasing affluence highlights the pronounced social class distinctions within Indonesian society. In his 2020 book “The Psychology of Money,” Morgan Housel notes that the presence of such social divides inevitably […]

EARLY MUSIC FESTIVALS: NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ACTS (2002-2013) Music festivals have become an integral part of Indonesian youth culture across generations. Looking back, in 2002, Soundrenaline pioneered large-scale music festivals by organizing a two-day music event in Jakarta. The lineup of popular musicians and bands, such as Peterpan, Sheila On 7, Naif, Dewa 19, and […]

According to the Indonesian Music Promoters Association (2023, as reported by Kompas.com), the number of music festivals in Indonesia will double in 2023 compared to 2022. This surge in festivals is fueled by the fact that around 77% of Indonesians express interest in attending concerts or music festivals (Survey data from Populix). A significant portion […]

“But New York cares me…” a lyric snippet from the rock band Interpol’s song titled “NYC” evokes a depiction of this city. Beyond its magnificence, there are inevitable dark sides. Interpol, a beloved band originating from Manhattan, New York, accurately captured this reality in their music. The MRT that smells musty reflects the anxiety of […]