Creators like Raffi Ahmad (the "King of YouTube Indonesia") and the Rans Entertainment crew popularized family-centric vlogs. Simultaneously, channels like Bayu Skak (from East Java) introduced Javanese-language sketch comedy, proving that vernacular content could out-perform national language (Indonesian) content in specific markets.
The app TikTok has revived Dangdut music (traditionally seen as "low-class" compared to Pop). Songs like "Lagi Syantik" (by Siti Badriah) and "Pamer Bojo" (by Via Vallen) became viral templates. Here, popular videos are participatory: users lip-sync and perform modified goyang (dance moves), creating a feedback loop between creators and audiences.
The arrival of high-speed internet and affordable smartphones (circa 2015-2018) disrupted this model. YouTube became the primary repository for "popular videos," not just music videos (e.g., Via Vallen or Rossa ), but amateur sketch comedy.
With the world’s fourth-largest population and one of the highest digital engagement rates, Indonesia presents a unique case study in entertainment evolution. While Hollywood and K-pop maintain a presence, local popular videos—ranging POV (Point of View) skits to vlogs —have created a distinct ecosystem. This paper explores two main questions: (1) How have digital platforms altered the production of entertainment in Indonesia? (2) What thematic characteristics define popular Indonesian videos today?
