Date of Award

7-8-2025

Thesis Type

PhD

Document Type

Thesis

Divisions

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Department

Department of Anthropology and Sociology

Institution

Universiti Malaya

Abstract

This study explores how young Indonesian Muslims navigate their religious identity while engaging with the global Hallyu (Korean Wave) phenomenon. In the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, Hallyu has created a vibrant youth subculture that has sparked social debate about the intersection of global cultural trends and Islamic values. Using ethnographic methodology, this research gathered data through in-depth interviews with 36 participants, participant observation of K-pop dance teams and events, and analysis of social media accounts including "Hijrah K-pop" and jogjakpopersmedia. The study reveals that women constitute the overwhelming majority of active participants, making this a predominantly female-centered phenomenon. The findings demonstrate that engagement with Hallyu represents these youth's complex response to modernity rather than simple cultural assimilation or weakening religious commitment. Participants distinguish between religion and culture, viewing their Hallyu participation as a way of becoming "modern Muslims" without compromising their Islamic identity. They seek improved values and cultural development through alternative cultural spaces that current Islamic frameworks may not adequately provide. This research contributes to understanding Islam's evolving role in Indonesian society and offers insights into how religious communities adapt to globalization, providing a foundation for future studies on cultural adaptation and identity formation in diverse religious contexts.

Initial

khm

Additional Information

Thesis (PhD) – Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya, 2025.

Download

Share

COinS