Indonesia is getting a remake of hit American teen drama Gossip Girl, but public reaction to the show’s cast announcement has not been so XOXO.
The remake, which is an original series by Gojek’s video-on-demand platform Go-Play, will focus on the lives of rich teenagers in the Indonesian equivalent of NYC’s Upper East Side (which appears to be hip Jakarta neighborhood Senopati).
Yesterday, Go-Play announced the cast of the main characters of the series, which is dominated by up-and-coming Indonesian actors.
Wakey wakey segenap warga Senoparty dan sekitarnya.
#GossipGirlIndonesia di sini.
Taulah ya kalau gak ada hal lain di dunia ini yang kita suka selain kejutan. Beruntung, S, D, J dan V punya kejutan buat kita semua.
Tapi ada satu hal yang perlu kamu lakukan: Choose your side pic.twitter.com/nnkIVaqNXC
— GoPlay Indonesia (@GoPlayIndonesia) December 19, 2019
Tau kan ya kalau #GossipGirlIndonesia gak akan pernah tidur.
Lagian, ngapain tidur kalau berada di dunia nyata bersama B, N, dan C terasa lebih menyenangkan? ✨
Xoxo,#GossipGirlIndonesia pic.twitter.com/3vI9qAJY6V
— GoPlay Indonesia (@GoPlayIndonesia) December 19, 2019
Much of the online reaction focused on the race of the actors, with many netizens complaining that the show is not doing anything to fix the lack of representation of “real Indonesians” in the country’s entertainment industry, which often favor mixed-race and fair-skinned actors for major roles.
https://twitter.com/skeletale/status/1207636555025678336
https://twitter.com/aoeliaaa/status/1207658539956625408
https://twitter.com/merveilleuxkim/status/1207642631955574785
I knew from the beginning that the Gossip Girl Indonesia cast will be mixed-race [actors] on average.
Ngapain bikin versi indo kalo yg main half white semua?
— syafia (@syafiarizky05) December 19, 2019
Why would you make the Indonesian version while all the actors playing in it are half-white?
Some also questioned the apparent anglofixation with the character’s names, particularly that of main character Blair Waldorf, whose Indonesian equivalent is Blair Hadiningrat.
Ya sebenarnya nama-nama karakternya “diadaptasi” ke nama-nama Indonesia juga gak apa-apa sih. Daripada kedengaran aneh dan maksa gini. ♂️
— amir syarif siregar (@Sir_AmirSyarif) December 19, 2019
Had the characters’ names been adapted to Indonesian names, it would be just fine. But now it just sounds weird and forced.
who tf named their kids blair hadiningrat honestly
— ri ri (@riccivaII) December 19, 2019
WHY ARE THESE NAMES BE SOUNDING LIKE ITS CREATED BY A 12 YEAR OLD MAKING THEIR FIRST WATTPAD STORY? I MEAN BLAIR HADININGRAT? WHAT? https://t.co/UbHwWTpjH0
— nix (@nixumbriel) December 19, 2019
That said, some are holding out for hope that the remake will turn out to be good, especially as the series is helmed by Nia Dinata, who famously directed Arisan! (2003), Berbagi Suami or Love For Share (2006), and the remake of Ini Kisah Tiga Dara (2016).
netijen yang protes ini ngiranya bakal sinetron-esque gitu kali ya tapi sutradaranya nia dinata sobs put some respect on her name
— Lilo (@gentle_monsieur) December 20, 2019
Netizens who are protesting may predict that [Gossip Girl Indonesia] will be sinetron-esque, but the director is Nia Dinata, put some respect to her name.
Waktu #GossipGirlIndonesia dibuat Kak Nia Dinata, saya SENANG SEKALI. Terus pas ngumumin cast (terutama pasangan favorit saya yg ini) rasa HEPI SAYA MAKIN BERLIPAT . Cocok banget dengan pembawaan mreka juga. Ah ga sabar bgt nunggu tayangnya hihi. pic.twitter.com/QxG5RV2GTN
— Inez Diva A (@extraodiary) December 19, 2019
When #GossipGirlIndonesia [was first announced to be made by] Kak Nia Dinata, I was REALLY HAPPY. Then when the cast was announced (especially because of my favorite couple) my happiness was multiplied. Really suit their traits. Ah I can’t wait for it to stream.
The Indonesian remake of Gossip Girl is slated for release in early 2020.
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