Written by Adelaida Salikha
While scrolling through TikTok in recent weeks, an unexpected pattern emerged.
Familiar Indonesian songs began appearing repeatedly, but with a distinct twist: the lyrics had been translated into Korean, their vocal tones subtly altered through artificial intelligence tools, and their delivery reshaped to match the cadence often associated with K-pop.
What might initially appear as a fleeting novelty reflects a broader cultural phenomenon worth examining.
The growing circulation of AI-altered Indonesian songs, reinterpreted in Korean and widely consumed by Malaysian audiences, highlights how culture, technology and regional soft power are increasingly intersecting on digital platforms.
The trend is neither official nor centrally coordinated. It has emerged organically through
user-generated content, driven by creators experimenting with AI-enabled translation and
voice-modelling tools.
These reworked songs are typically presented without explanation or promotion, embedded casually into short-form videos that prioritise entertainment rather than commentary.
Yet their reach has been substantial, and audience response notably positive.
This reception is significant.
Malaysia, Indonesia and South Korea occupy distinct but overlapping cultural spheres within Asia. Indonesian music has long circulated within Malaysia, benefiting from shared linguistic roots and historical familiarity. Korean popular culture, meanwhile, enjoys strong followings across Southeast Asia.
The convergence of these elements—Indonesian melodies, Korean-language delivery and Malaysian digital consumption—illustrates how cultural boundaries are increasingly fluid in the age of algorithm-driven discovery.
What distinguishes this trend is the role of artificial intelligence not as a replacement for creativity, but as an enabling tool.
The AI-generated translations are not always precise, nor are the synthetic vocals flawless.
However, the imperfections appear to contribute to the appeal. Rather than diminishing cultural value, the technology has introduced a sense of playfulness and experimentation, allowing songs to be reinterpreted without erasing their original identity.
The choice of material is also telling. The Indonesian songs being adapted are typically those that have already achieved wide recognition.
Their melodies, structures and emotional resonance are strong enough to withstand linguistic transformation.
In effect, the translations underscore the robustness of Indonesia’s songwriting and music production, reaffirming the industry’s growing global visibility.
For Malaysian audiences, the trend does not feel disorienting.
On the contrary, it aligns with a long-standing familiarity with Indonesian music while tapping into the stylistic appeal of Korean pop culture.
The result is less a cultural collision than a conversation - one facilitated by digital platforms and sustained by audience curiosity.
From a broader perspective, this development offers insight into how soft power now operates. Traditional soft power strategies rely on state-led initiatives, cultural exchanges or forma collaborations.
What is unfolding on TikTok follows a different logic. It is decentralised, informal and largely
unintended. Yet its effects are tangible.
Music introduces culture without instruction. It creates emotional entry points that precede rational engagement.
A listener drawn in by a translated song may begin to explore its origins, the artist behind it, or the wider cultural context from which it emerged. In this way, cultural influence is established quietly, without overt messaging.
There are also economic implications embedded within this exchange. Cultural attention often precedes commercial opportunity. Increased visibility can translate into streaming growth, cross-border collaborations, live performances and tourism interest. For neighbouring economies such as Malaysia and Indonesia, such dynamics are mutually reinforcing rather than competitive.
This is particularly relevant as Malaysia prepares for Visit Malaysia 2026, a campaign that will rely not only on conventional promotion but also on cultural resonance.
Digital storytelling driven by music, creativity and regional familiarity offers a complementary pathway to audience engagement - one that feels authentic rather than orchestrated.
The tone of the current trend is also noteworthy. In a digital environment often characterised by polarisation, the reception of these AI-altered songs has been largely positive.
Audience interaction centres on curiosity, amusement and appreciation rather than resistance. This suggests an openness to cultural hybridity, particularly among younger users accustomed to consuming global content through localised lenses.
Artificial intelligence, often discussed in terms of disruption or risk, appears here as a facilitator of cultural exchange. Used judiciously, it has lowered barriers to experimentation and broadened participation.
The Indonesian-to-Korean song trend demonstrates how AI, when applied creatively rather than extractively, can amplify rather than dilute cultural expression.
None of this suggests that such trends will be permanent. Digital attention remains volatile, and audiences move quickly. Yet moments like this provide insight into evolving patterns of cultural circulation. They show how influence can flow horizontally across regions, shaped by users rather than institutions, and mediated by technology rather than policy.
In that sense, the appearance of Indonesian songs reimagined in Korean on Malaysian social media platforms is more than a curiosity.
It is a reflection of how Southeast Asian culture continues to adapt, converse and assert relevance within an increasingly interconnected digital landscape.
