THE IDOL
Fernando Randy, photo journalist Vivanews.com

I’ll be a teenage idol, just give me a break
I’m gonna be a teenage idol no matter how long it takes
You can’t imagine what it means to me
I’m gonna grab myself a place in history
A teenage idol that’s what I’m gonna be

That lyric belongs to Elton John’s “I’m Going To Be A Teenage Idol” that reflects the desire to be a teen idol and land that sparkling world of fame and fortune.

Modern communications technology enables the spread of information instantaneously worldwide. The entertainment industries of music and film also utilize the might of technology to boost sales and to elevate their stars’ popularity.

Such star gains popularity when his film or music is sold massively or is screened, heard and downloaded by many people and is crowned a public idol. Said idol will then introduce certain trends that will be copied by his loyal fans worldwide. Global lifestyle trends are shaped by the media; clothing, hairstyle, make-up, accessories, dances, slangs, etc.

Case in point is the Korean boyband/girlband phenomenon. Their native tongue is not the universally understood English, yet it creates an insanely huge market interest! The energetic and easy-listening rhythm coupled with attractive costumes and unique styles are all major teen magnets.

Also highly impacted are children, and Indonesian children happen to be very hip. Through Internet (in cities, mostly) and TV, they get to know and access what’s popular abroad. They also spend significant time browsing the Internet and watching TV. The Broadcasting Committee of Indonesia (KPI) records how children watch TV in twice the amount of their school hours, namely 1,600 hours versus 740 hours respectively.

Indeed, advances in technology bring faraway idols within reach. Here are the testimonies from grade 5 students (aged 10-11 years) from Tanjung Priok Elementary school in regards to their idols.