Forget influencers. The most popular content in Indonesia right now is Bapak-Bapak (middle-aged fathers) dancing to remixed pop songs on TikTok. Indonesia is the second-largest TikTok market in the world (after the US).

Indonesian television has a significant impact on popular culture, with numerous TV shows and soap operas being broadcast across the country.

Taking a cue from Pop Idol, Indonesian Idol (2004) began a cultural revolution. It didn't just produce pop stars; it created a national ritual. The show introduced the concept of dapur ("the kitchen," a greenroom slang for backstage drama) and turned judges into household deities. The success of Agnes Monica (now Agnez Mo), who transitioned from child star to international R&B sensation, proved that an Indonesian artist could mimic and then surpass Western production quality.