UNPAK Discusses Japanese Culture Through TV Dramas & Pop Songs in a Gathering
đź•— Source: Humas | đź“ś Editor: Oly Nurmansyah
"Popular culture is a reflective medium. We can recognize the structure of society through it."
UNPAK Explores Japanese Culture Through TV Dramas & Pop Songs in a Cultural Gathering
The Faculty of Social and Cultural Sciences (FISIB) at Pakuan University (UNPAK) once again held a cultural gathering with the theme “Understanding Japanese Society through Visual Data: From Japanese TV Dramas and Pop Songs.” The event was attended by lecturers and students from the Japanese Literature and Indonesian Literature Study Programs.
Moderated by Mugiyanti, M.Si., the event featured Raphaella Dewantari Dwianto, MA., Ph.D., a Japanese culture expert, who presented how Japanese popular culture—particularly TV dramas and pop songs—can serve as a window into understanding Japanese society. Using a data visualization approach, participants were invited to examine the social realities behind entertainment media.
One of the main highlights was the drama “Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu” (We Married as a Job), which addresses issues such as employment, gender roles, and the redefinition of marriage as an institution. The drama illustrates how Japanese popular culture not only entertains but also subtly delivers social critique.
In addition to the content of the drama, the Koi Dance—popularized by the show’s theme song—also drew attention. Through visual data, Raphaella demonstrated how this Japanese cultural trend spread internationally via social media. This phenomenon showcases the power of Japanese popular culture as a form of soft diplomacy, fostering cross-cultural connections.
The event became even more engaging with an interactive discussion involving both lecturers and students. Participants were encouraged to see Japanese popular culture not merely as entertainment but as a meaningful cultural study. Popular media plays an important role in shaping public opinion and introducing Japanese culture to the international stage.
This gathering marked a concrete step by FISIB UNPAK in broadening students’ understanding of cross-cultural studies through the lens of popular media. With the right approach, Japanese culture can serve as an entry point for deeper insights into the character and social realities of its people.
Read the full article here.
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