To understand Indonesian youth, you must first understand their relationship with the smartphone. Indonesia is consistently ranked as one of the world’s most active mobile internet populations. Data packages are cheap, and screen time is long. However, unlike the curated perfection of Instagram in the West, Indonesian youth have carved out their own chaotic, humorous niche.

Dating culture is split. On one hand, Bucin (Love Slave) is a highly memed condition where a person sacrifices everything for their partner. On the other hand, a rising wave of youth is rejecting romantic relationships entirely, labeling themselves Aro (Aromantic) or simply choosing to invest in "mother and father" (duty) rather than romance. The rise of "situationships" via dating apps like Tinder and Bumble is high, but so is the anxiety surrounding pernikahan dini (early marriage).