<![CDATA[The rapid expansion of digital communication has intensified the use of emoji as multimodal resources that shape meaning beyond verbal language. This study aims (1) to analyze the functions of emoji as substitutes for words or expressions in netizen comments on Metro TV’s TikTok video reporting the case “Bima Permana, one of the three missing persons has been found,” and (2) to identify the role of emoji in conveying specific communicative intentions within these comments. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach, the research examines the meaning, function, and contextual use of emoji in comments posted within the first 24 hours of the video’s upload, which generated more than 1,000 responses. Data were collected through documentation in the form of screenshots and transcribed comments containing emoji, and were analyzed to uncover their pragmatic and multimodal functions. The results show that the emoji dominates the comment section, functioning primarily as a marker of sarcasm and social solidarity, while the emoji signals reluctant or uneasy laughter. Pragmatic analysis reveals a generally cynical stance among netizens, trivializing a serious issue while expressing reactions through multimodal cues. The study concludes that emoji play a crucial role in digital interaction, not only enriching textual communication but also effectively substituting verbal expressions to convey nuanced meanings in online discourse.]]>
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