THE IMPORTANCE OF CHARACTER EDUCATION IN REVITALIZING NATIONALISM AMONG TEENAGERS AMID THE RISE OF THE KOREAN WAVE PHENOMENON

Abstract

Globalization, driven by advances in information and communication technology, has accelerated the spread of Korean popular culture (the Korean Wave) to various countries, including Indonesia. This phenomenon has had a significant impact on the mindset, lifestyle, and cultural preferences of adolescents, which in turn has the potential to influence their attitudes toward nationalism and national identity. This study aims to analyze the influence of the Korean Wave phenomenon on adolescent nationalism and to examine the urgency of character education as an effort to revitalize nationalist values amid the rapid flow of global culture. The study employs a qualitative approach using descriptive methods. Data were obtained through a literature review of various relevant scientific sources and were then analyzed using qualitative data analysis techniques, including data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results indicate that the Korean Wave has a positive impact in the form of increased openness to global culture, creativity, and foreign language proficiency. However, on the other hand, this phenomenon also influences changes in lifestyle, cultural preferences, language use, consumption patterns, and a tendency to idolize foreign cultures, which has the potential to diminish appreciation for national culture. Therefore, character education plays a strategic role in strengthening nationalist values by instilling a love for the homeland, respect for Indonesia’s cultural diversity, and a reinforcement of national identity. This study is expected to serve as a reference for educators, parents, and policymakers in formulating character education strategies that are adaptive to the challenges of globalization without neglecting the nation’s identity.