Liam was taking notes. “So, to recap: sinetron for small talk, dangdut for the dance move, internet creators for the humor, and fandoms for making real friends?”

Liam closed his notebook, feeling much less lost. He even practiced the goyang hip sway, just in case.

“Because it’s the common language,” Sari explained. “From a fisherman in Papua to a shopkeeper in Aceh, everyone has an opinion on whether Aldebaran and Andin should get back together. If you want a conversation starter with any Indonesian, just ask, ‘What happened on Ikatan Cinta last night?’ You’ll make a friend instantly.”

“Now, about dangdut ,” Sari continued. “You weren’t wrong. It’s our most unique genre—a mix of Malay, Indian, and Arabic music with a driving drumbeat. Rhoma Irama is the ‘King of Dangdut,’ not a noodle dish. But the modern queen is Via Vallen.”

“Why does that help me?” Liam asked.