East Asian Review

Pengaruh COVID-19 terhadap Perkembangan Minat Bahasa dan Sastra Korea di Indonesia

Ajeng Adinda Putri — 2025-10-31

The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in late 2019, significantly changed daily life and learning behaviors worldwide. In Indonesia, lockdown policies and extended periods of home confinement led many individuals to engage with digital entertainment and online learning platforms. One notable trend during this time was the increased interest in Korean popular culture (Hallyu), including K-pop, dramas, and webtoons. This exposure sparked a growing enthusiasm for learning Korean, often as a means to access and better understand Korean literature and cultural content. This study aims to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced Indonesian society's heightened interest in learning Korean and exploring Korean literature. Using a descriptive quantitative method, data was collected through an online survey of 40 respondents. The study analyzes various aspects of Korean language learners and their interest in Korean literature. The results indicate that the pandemic has played a significant role in fostering interest in both the Korean language and literature. These findings are consistent with Ryan and Deci's (2000) theory of learning motivation, Krashen's (1982) second-language acquisition theory, and Vygotsky's (1978) sociocultural theory. Furthermore, 80% of respondents expressed interest in Korean literature, supporting Lee's (2020) view of a reciprocal relationship between language and literature. Consequently, the increased focus on language learning during the pandemic has also led to a greater interest in Korean literature.

Framing the Forgotten: Beauty, Innocence, and Religiosity in the Representation of Indonesian Comfort Women

Nur Aisyiah Az-Zahra — 2025-10-31

This research examines the documentary *Because We Were Beautiful* (2010), which focuses on the testimonies of Indonesian *juugun ianfu* (military comfort women) who experienced sexual violence during the Japanese occupation of the Netherlands East Indies (present-day Indonesia) from 1942 to 1945. Framed through a feminist lens, this study utilizes Cockburn's concept of "war as a continuum" to explore how the documentary portrays the "post-war" lived realities of *ianfu*. The main research questions are: (1) What dominant themes emerge in *Because We Were Beautiful* (2010) that frame the testimonies of the former *ianfu*? (2) How does the documentary represent how these former *ianfu* remember and forget their "post-war" experiences? This study employs documentary film analysis with a constructionist approach to examine how *Because We Were Beautiful* represents the narratives of former Indonesian *ianfu*. This article argues that the documentary serves as a redemptive effort by the Western colonizer (the Netherlands) toward its colonized subjects (Indonesia), while simultaneously vilifying its Eastern colonizer counterpart (Japan). Furthermore, the documentary reflects the Dutch perspective on Indonesian comfort women "under Western eyes"—borrowing from Mohanty's term—by reproducing Western stereotypes of colonized Third World women as physically beautiful, sexually innocent, and religiously devout. This research highlights how postcolonial narratives of gender, memory, and violence intersect in the screen representation of wartime trauma.

Analisis Kecenderungan Gangguan Kepribadian Ambang (BPD) pada Tokoh Utama Novel Jugigo Sipeun Ai Karya Lee Kkoch-Nim

Az Zahra Ahsana Amala — 2025-10-31

This study analyzes the tendency toward borderline personality disorder (BPD) in Ji Ju-yeon, the main character in Lee Kkoch-Nim's novel Jugigo Sipeun Ai (죽이고 싶은 아이) (2021). The research employs a qualitative approach with descriptive analysis and applies the theory of abnormal psychology developed by Durand, Barlow, and Hofmann as outlined in Essentials of Abnormal Psychology (2019). The study aims to describe the symptoms of BPD shown by the character and identify the underlying causes of her psychological condition. The findings reveal that Ji Ju-yeon exhibits several prominent symptoms of borderline personality disorder, including: (a) strong obsession to avoid abandonment, (b) intense but unstable relationships, (c) unstable self-image, and (d) emotional instability shown by self-harm and intense anger, or difficulty controlling anger. The analysis also identifies key contributing factors to the development of these tendencies. The contributing factor here is dysfunctional parenting that leads to emotional neglect and a lack of emotional validation. This study emphasizes that the portrayal of abnormal psychological traits in literary characters can reflect complex mental health issues rooted in interpersonal and environmental factors. It also highlights how literature can serve as a medium for exploring and understanding psychological disorders more deeply.

Antara Rasisme dan Xenofobia di Korea Selatan: Studi Hermeneutika pada Lagu Black Happiness Yoon Mi-rae

Gita Utami — 2025-10-31

South Korea is one of the countries with an advanced education system and robust industrial development. This stands in stark contrast to the numerous deep-rooted social issues, which have led to global social criticism of South Korea. Social problems such as xenophobia, racism, and discrimination currently lack adequate legal frameworks to support minority groups. This study aims to explore the meaning of Yoon Mi-rae's song "Black Happiness" from a hermeneutic perspective. The methodology employed in this research is a complementary approach to hermeneutics as proposed by Paul Ricoeur and Hans-Georg Gadamer. The findings of this study reveal that the meaning of "Black Happiness" emphasizes healing wounds and self-acceptance. This research concludes that every individual has the right to live freely, to be accepted, and to be valued. Every person is entitled to an inclusive life and to live without being judged based on their background.