ENTERTAINMENT
Entertainment Exchange in the ASEAN:
Music, Television Drama,
and Variety Shows
Perhaps there is nowhere else in the world where
conditions are more varied for the existing forms
of media and entertainment to thrive in than in
Southeast Asia.
conductor Darrell Ang. Malaysian pop
singer Siti Nurhaliza is popular not only
in Malaysia but also in Brunei, Singapore
and Indonesia. Malaysian legendary rock
band Search has greatly influenced the
H
rock music scene in Indonesia.
owever, despite differences in
The Indonesian music scene is very
political, social and religious
much alive and home-grown talents are
settings, ASEAN member
increasing, with their popularity spreading
countries have surprisingly found common
to neighboring Brunei, Malaysia and
ground in the forms of entertainment that
Singapore. Pop music in Indonesia was
are patronized by the majority.
previously influenced by Hollywood and
Bollywood but their pop music still retains
much of the local sentiments. MTV Asia
FAVORING FELLOW ASIANS
has featured several Indonesian pop groups
generation equally favors Western
and they all have been actively touring the
Photo by Izrulazhar, www.flickr.com
In Southeast Asia today, the young
and Asian influences when it comes to
their musical preferences. There was a
time when Southeast Asian pop culture
borrowed largely from Western influences.
But the popularity of pop groups from
Korea which launched the subculture of
K-Pop to unbelievable heights has served
to somewhat regionalize pop culture.
Siti Nurhaliza, a Malaysian pop singer
on 7, Dewa 19, Gigi, Radja and Peterpan.
Japanese and South Korean pop groups
have also influenced the formation of
local Indonesia pop acts. In rock, the most
notable are Jamrud, /rif, Netral and Slank.
Likewise, Filipino solo acts and
groups have been creating waves in the
music scene. Filipino balladeer Christian
South Korean boy bands and girl bands
have strongly influenced the choices and
region. Acts include Nidji, D’Masiv, Sheila
POP CULTURE ICONS
Bautista is a big hit in Indonesia. Rock
preferences of Southeast Asian audiences.
Singapore has a small music scene
group Slapshock, started Project E.A.R.
K-pop dominates not just the airwaves
but there are several bands, individual
(East Asian Revolution), a super group
but the fashion scene as well. The rather
performers and metal rock groups that have
composed of Slapshock, Ahli Fiqik of
unregulated exchanges that continuously
garnered interest outside of Singapore.
Singapore, Saint Loco of Indonesia and
happen online via social media platforms
Take for example violinist Vanessa-Mae,
Thaitanium and Silksounds from Thailand
are further fueling the trend.
Sophie Koh, Dawn Xianah Moon and
in 2008, debuting at MTV Asia Awards
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JAN-FEB 2014
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