The Impact of Popular Culture on Socio-Cultural Identities of Malaysians: A Qualitative Analysis

摘要

This study of the impact of popular culture allows a closer look at how it builds the construction of socio-cultural identities. Taking a qualitative analysis perspective, this article analyzes textual data from a case study involving Malays residing in north of Malaysia. The participants are accustomed to, cultured, and identified as frequent-goers of Malay dramas. The research reveals contesting ideologies on Islam, family traditions, and clothes. These are factored in by suspenseful storyline, themes of struggles, hardships, and relationships, and the popularity of actors/actresses. The outcomes of the research involve suggestions on an exhaustive research examining unconscious characterization and emotional elements of popular culture on the construction of socio-cultural identities among Malaysians, and how these may have pedagogical implications in the teaching of literature in Malaysia.