Perception and Function of Myths in Horror Podcasts in Indonesia

Tubagus Fajar Adhitya

doi:10.37899/journal-la-sociale.v6i4.2132

Tubagus Fajar Adhitya Department of anthropology, University of Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37899/journal-la-sociale.v6i4.2132

Keywords: Myth, Perception, Function, RJL 5

Abstract

One of the most popular genres in Indonesia is horror content. This is proven by the large number of viewers of horror content on various social media platforms. One of them is RJL 5. Every horror content raised by RJL 5 on various platforms is always crowded with viewers. Until the end of March 2025, it had been watched by 1,045,611,410 viewers, that's just on YouTube, not on other platforms. In every video raised by RJL 5, there is often a discussion about the cultural phenomena and myths of a community group. Myths sometimes have value and are considered sacred by certain communities. With the large audience reach of RJL 5, this study aims to analyze the perceptions and functions of myths from RJL 5 viewers amidst increasingly rapid technological developments. In data analysis, researchers used a structural functional theory approach. The techniques used in the study were literature studies, observations and in-depth interviews. The results of the study showed that even though technology is increasingly modern, myths still have their own function in everyday life. The role and function of myths for the RJL 5 audience is to maintain environmental sustainability, maintain social values and norms, cultural functions or cultural identity, as education, as a relationship between humans and nature and as entertainment.

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