Often Criticized As Stupidity, These 8 Indonesian Soap Operas Are Loved By Overseas Viewers

JAKARTA - Indonesian soap operas are often criticized and become scapegoats for public ignorance. Exaggerated stories, poor quality due to on-running, and long episodes are the reasons Indonesian soap operas are said to have low quality.

However, this assumption is not always true. Because there are quality Indonesian soap operas that are even popular abroad. Nowadays, Indonesian serials that air on OTT also show their quality. The following is a list of popular Indonesian soap operas and series abroad.

1. Benci Jadi Cinta

Benci Jadi Cinta, starring Nia Ramadhani is one of the Indonesian soap operas that aired abroad, namely, Malaysia. In Indonesia, this soap opera has been airing since 2006. While in Malaysia it was broadcasted in 2014.

2. Cinta Fitri

Cinta Fitri became a soap opera that made Shireen Sungkar's name more and more popular. This soap opera, which has thousands of episodes with 7 seasons, has become one of the soap operas with the highest number of episodes, but has also become the favorite of many people.

Because of the success of this soap opera, many have released their DVDs for sale abroad, such as in Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam. Now, this soap opera is adapted into a series that is also as popular as the old soap opera.

3. Dia Jantung Hatiku

The soap opera Dia Jantung Hatiku tells the story of the children who are switched. The soap opera starring Naysila Mirdad successfully aired on Malaysian television stations.

4. Para Pencari Tuhan

The soap opera that airs specifically during the month of Ramadan, Para Pencari Tuhan need not be doubted. Para Pencari Tuhan also aired overseas.

This soap opera received positive appreciation during its broadcast because it was considered to have an interesting and educational plot. Moreover, it is served with comedy. In fact, the soap opera starring Deddy Mizwar received an international award from the ConFesta Japan Festival for the Special Award for Foreign Drama category.

5. Tersanjung

Besides Cinta Fitri, the soap opera Tersanjung became a favorite for women in the 90s. The soap opera starring Lulu Tobing has aired with 7 seasons from 1998 to 2005.

This soap opera is so popular that its VCDs are sold abroad, including Singapore, Malaysia, and even Taiwan. This soap opera is also in the process of being adapted into a series that will soon air on OTT.

6. Little Mom

The Little Mom series, which premiered on the WeTV streaming platform on September 10, 2021, managed to enter the ranks of trending WeTV programs in 22 different countries at once and was included in the Indonesian-World Record Museum (MURI) for Indonesian Web series Trending in the Most Countries (22 Countries).

The series, starring a series of well-known young Indonesian artists, such as Natasha Wilona, Al Ghazali, Teuku Rassya, and Elina Joerg, even reached the #1 trending position in Indonesia, Malaysia, Dubai, Singapore, Brunei, and America. In addition, Little Mom is also trending in the Netherlands (#2), Hong Kong & France (#3), Germany (#4), Canada (#7), and Taiwan (#10).

7. Antares

Two series starring Angga Yunanda, Antares, have successfully become the number one favorite in Malaysia. Angga said he was happy because the audience could come from various regions.

"The story for Geri and Antares can be watched not only by Indonesians but also abroad. Antares is even included in the ranks of the first favorites in Malaysia. That's amazing for us players and other crew members. Very happy with this because of the hard work they put in. We do get good results," he said.

8. 9 Bulan

Fero Walandouw didn't expect the soap opera he starred in to become a favorite in Malaysia. "I didn't think Malaysia could be a favorite too. In fact, talking about OTT and TV that we have been living so far is quite different. Digitally, we can watch it anytime and anywhere," he said.