Greenation International Journal of Law and Social Sciences
Vol. 4 No. 1 (2026): Vol. 4 No. 1 (2025): (GIJLSS) Greenation International Journal of Law and Socia

Framing Analysis of Racism Issue Coverage of K-Pop Girl Group Kiss of Life in Tempo Online Media

Rostanti, Elena Dwi (Unknown)
Imawan, Khaerudin (Unknown)
Heryanto, Yanto (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
18 Mar 2026

Abstract

This study explores how Tempo.co framed the issue of racism involving the K-pop girl group Kiss of Life following a live broadcast themed “old-school hip hop vibes” in April 2025. The controversy emerged after the group was accused of cultural appropriation toward the Black community, resulting in the loss of more than 200,000 social media followers. The purpose of this study is to understand the framing strategy employed by Tempo.co and its impact on readers’ perceptions in Indonesia. The study applies framing analysis based on the model developed by Robert N. Entman, using a descriptive qualitative approach. The data consist of four Tempo.co articles published between April 6 and 9, 2025, complemented by in-depth interviews with fans of Kiss of Life. The findings indicate that Tempo.co consistently framed the case as a serious issue of racism through four key framing elements: defining the problem as cultural appropriation, diagnosing the cause as cultural ignorance, making moral judgments from various public perspectives, and emphasizing the perceived inadequacy of the group’s apology. This framing was found to be effective in enhancing readers’ understanding of the complexity of racism within the K-pop industry, while maintaining journalistic neutrality.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

GIJLSS

Publisher

Subject

Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice Social Sciences

Description

Greenation International Journal of Law and Social Sciences (GIJLSS) is a journal that uses a blind peer-review model that can be accessed online. GIJLSS aims to publish a journal containing quality articles that will be able to contribute thoughts from theoretical and empirical perspectives for the ...