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This study aims to uncover the meaning of loyalty and sacrifice in the lyrics of the song "Sumpah dan Cinta Matiku" by Nidji through Roland Barthes' semiotic approach. The analysis is conducted at three levels of meaning, namely denotative, connotative, and myth, to understand how song lyrics form emotional messages as well as ideologies in Indonesian popular culture. At the denotative level, a literal meaning is found regarding the pledge of loyalty and commitment of love between two people who are emotionally bound to each other. The connotative level displays emotional and cultural meanings in the form of a willingness to sacrifice and steadfastness in maintaining love, which is often depicted as a heroic and struggle-filled act. Meanwhile, at the mythical level, this song brings up the ideology of romantic love that is absolute, eternal, and demands unconditional sacrifice, as often found in love narratives in other popular media. Lyrics such as "Sumpah mati hanya kau yang kucinta" and "Meski badanku has become one with the ground, cintaku tetap hidup bagi bagi" reflect the cultural construction that true love must be proven by suffering, extreme loyalty, and even sacrifice of life. This meaning emphasizes that love is not merely an emotional connection, but a form of total devotion that cannot be shaken by any circumstances. This song indirectly instills the idea that love means being willing to lose everything, including one's life, to maintain that love. The results of this study indicate that these songs not only convey personal messages of love but also play a role in shaping and perpetuating the myth of love in society. This finding is reinforced by various previous studies that state that popular music plays a role as a medium for reproducing cultural values, particularly regarding idealized, sacrificial, and irrational love.

family conflict is portrayed in the film Uang Panai Maha(R)l 2 using Roland Barthes' semiotic framework. The film reflects the social reality of the Bugis-Makassar community, which highly upholds cultural values, particularly regarding arranged marriage, family honor, and the significant role of parents in their children's lives. The main objective of this research is to understand how family conflict is represented through visible and spoken symbols within the film’s narrative. This research employs a descriptive qualitative method by analyzing semiotic elements in several scenes that depict conflict, such as forced marriage, intergenerational differences, and the pressure of tradition against personal desires. The analysis is conducted through the three levels of meaning proposed by Barthes: denotation, connotation, and myth. The results show that Uang Panai Maha(R)l 2 illustrates the tension between traditional values and modern realities, which still occur within family life in Indonesia.

The phenomenon of bullying among teenagers is an increasing and complex social problem, not only occurring in everyday life but also widely represented through mass media, one of which is teen drama. One popular media that highlights this issue is My Nerd Girl Season 1, which shows the reality of bullying in its various forms. The main character, Rea, is depicted as a victim of bullying who experiences verbal, emotional, and social pressure from her environment. This representation illustrates that bullying is not just an individual act, but part of a social construction that is full of meaning. This study aims to explore how bullying is presented in the drama My Nerd Girl Season 1 using Roland Barthes's semiotic approach. The analysis focuses on the denotative, connotative, and mythical meanings contained in the visual and narrative symbols in the bullying scenes. The research data in the form of scene clips showing forms of bullying, are then analyzed to reveal the underlying social ideology. The results show that this drama represents bullying in various forms, ranging from verbal, cyber, physical, to social. These bullying acts are presented as a form of power, domination, and group control over individuals. The emerging connotative meanings indicate that bullying is legitimized by adolescent ideologies regarding popularity, physical appearance standards, and social acceptance in the school environment. The myth constructed through the drama's narrative is that symbolic and social violence is often considered normal or even necessary to maintain a certain social status. Thus, My Nerd Girl Season 1 serves not only as entertainment but also as a medium for social reflection that reveals the reality of bullying among adolescents.  

The Korean drama True Beauty portrays a vivid reflection of the social reality where beauty standards significantly influence how women are treated in society. This study investigates how these standards lead to discrimination against individuals who do not align with socially constructed ideals of appearance. Specifically, it focuses on the representation of such discrimination in the character of Im Ju Kyung, a high school student who is constantly judged for her natural look. Utilizing a qualitative approach with Roland Barthes' semiotic theory, this research deciphers three levels of meaning—denotative, connotative, and mythological—embedded within selected scenes from episodes 1 and 3. The findings indicate that Ju Kyung encounters six distinct forms of appearance-based discrimination: verbal bullying, physical bullying, non-verbal bullying (such as gestures or facial expressions), social exclusion, beauty privilege (where attractive individuals receive favorable treatment), and internalized social pressure to conform. Each discriminatory act is not only rooted in visual representations but also carries deeper ideological implications—suggesting that physical beauty is a prerequisite for social acceptance and personal value. Although True Beauty critiques the culture of appearance-based discrimination, it simultaneously perpetuates the myth that transformation through makeup or cosmetic procedures is a viable solution to gain acceptance. This duality reflects the complex role of media as both a mirror of societal norms and a tool that reinforces dominant ideologies. In doing so, the drama raises critical questions about the ethical responsibilities of popular culture in shaping perceptions of gender, identity, and worth based on physical appearance. Through this analysis, the study contributes to discussions on media literacy and body politics in contemporary Korean pop culture.

The term overthinking has become part of the everyday vocabulary among Generation Z, reflecting a tendency toward excessive deliberation in ordinary situations, including choosing food. The “Overthinking” advertisement by GoFood presents a compelling visual representation of this dilemma through metaphorical symbols such as a talking forehead, piles of clocks, and zodiac characters that construct a complex visual narrative of indecision. This study aims to examine how symptoms of overthinking are visually represented in the advertisement using Roland Barthes’ semiotic approach. The research employed a qualitative method, utilizing observation and documentation techniques to analyze visual structures across scenes. The findings reveal that the advertisement conveys its message through denotative, connotative, and myth-based signs, illustrating how Generation Z interprets the burden of choice in a digital cultural context. The results demonstrate how visual communication strategies can foster empathy while offering solutions to the everyday anxieties of a young audience. This study contributes to the development of visual semiotics discourse in the field of visual communication design and offers insights for advertising practices grounded in social issues.

This study is entitled Semiotic Analysis of Absurdism through the Main Character in the Film Trainspotting. The discussion touches upon the concept of absurdism and how it is reflected through signs in the film Trainspotting (1996), directed by Danny Boyle. The film portrays the life of Mark Renton, a heroin addict living in 1990s Scotland, who struggles to find meaning in an indifferent world. This research analysed the denotative and connotative signs that reflect the main character’s struggle with absurdism and how these signs portray the character’s responses to the absurd, whether through escape or rebellion. This study employed Roland Barthes’ (1991) theory of two-level semiotics to analyse the denotative and connotative meanings of signs, and Albert Camus’ (1955) theory of absurdism to interpret the character’s existential responses. This study uses a descriptive qualitative method. Data were collected by watching the film and analysing both verbal and non-verbal signs using Barthes’ semiotic framework. These findings indicate that Trainspotting contains strong elements of absurdism that can be uncovered through semiotic analysis.  

This study aims to analyze the representation of the figure of the prolific sundel in the 2025 version of Pocari Sweat #IONTahanBocor advertisement using Roland Barthes' semiotic approach. The ad features a local mystical figure sundel bolong in an unusual humorous narrative to convey an educational message about the importance of staying hydrated during fasting. This study uses a descriptive qualitative method with a constructivist paradigm and analyzes visual impressions based on three layers of Barthes' meaning: denotation, connotation, and myth. The results of the analysis showed that the sundel bolong was shown as a figure who was dehydrated and then recovered after consuming Pocari Sweat, which is interpreted as a symbolic form of loss and recovery of body fluids. This representation shows a shift in meaning from a creepy figure to a funny and educational figure. Visual symbols such as the body leaking and the transformation into a cactus reinforce the educational message about hydration that is popularly packaged and lightweight. These findings suggest that advertising not only becomes a promotional medium, but also builds new myths through the construction of popular culture and visual communication.  

This article discusses the poem “Sajak Suara” by Wiji Thukul through a structural approach that emphasizes the analysis of intrinsic elements of the text, such as diction, imagery, figurative language, typography, and the poem’s inner structure. This poem was chosen because it contains a strong ideological message related to the struggle against oppression and the silencing of freedom of expression, particularly in the context of the New Order regime. The analysis shows that the poem’s formal structure both in form and content, actively reinforces the spirit of resistance and freedom. The use of direct diction, rhetorical language, and free typography reflects an expression of tension and determination. Thus, the structural approach is able to reveal how the poem’s form itself becomes a crucial instrument in conveying socio-political messages. This study is expected to broaden appreciation of poetry as a medium of critique and collective awareness.

This research uses a qualitative method with Roland Barthes’ semiotic analysis approach to examine the meanings of visual and narrative signs in the 2025 Marjan Ramadan commercial. This advertisement was selected due to its rich symbolic elements and its significant role in shaping public perception and emotion during the holy month. Utilizing Barthes’ concepts of denotation, connotation, and myth, this study aims to uncover hidden meanings behind visual elements such as colors, lighting, character gestures, and storyline narration. Preliminary findings indicate that the Marjan advertisement not only promotes a syrup product but also encapsulates values of togetherness, tradition, and religiosity through cinematic visuals. Symbols like family dining tables, drums (bedug), and twilight lighting are interpreted as modern myths portraying an idealized Ramadan that is warm and harmonious. Therefore, this advertisement can be viewed as a form of cultural communication that conveys ideological messages through visual symbols familiar to Indonesian society.

This research analyzes the Marjan advertisement featuring the Putri Hijau version to understand the meanings embedded in its visual elements using Roland Barthes'semiotic approach. The study employs a descriptive qualitative analysis method by dividing the advertisement into several parts through screenshot capture. The analysis is conducted by identifying the denotative and connotative meanings of the advertisement's elements. The findings indicate that this advertisement presents a complex cultural narrative and conveys a specific ideological message to the audience. This study provides insight into how advertisements can serve as an effective persuasive communication medium in conveying cultural and commercial values.

This study examines the poem  "Peringatan" ("Warning") by Wiji Thukul using Roland Barthes' semiotic theory. The aim of the research is to uncover the meaning of resistance implied in the poem through three layers of meaning: denotative, connotative, and myth. The poem was written in a repressive socio-political context, in which freedom of expression was silenced by those in power. Through a Barthesian approach, the lines of the poem are analyzed as a system of signs that symbolically represent resistance against authoritarian rule. The analysis reveals that the poem not only conveys an aesthetic message but also constructs a counter-discourse to the dominant ideology. The poem becomes a site of resistance, urging the people not to submit to oppression. This study reinforces the view that literature, particularly poetry, holds great potential as a medium of struggle and freedom.

This study examines the semiotic and mythological representation of song lyrics, taking RINI's "Aphrodite" as an example. Based on Roland Barthes' semiotics theory, this study examines the application of Greek mythology, specifically the character of Aphrodite, to convey love, beauty, and lust in the song. Qualitative descriptive approaches are used to examine the denotative, connotative, and mythological meanings inherent in the lyrics. The findings indicate that the song showcases Aphrodite both as a reference to Greek mythology and as an idealized figure of love and beauty in contemporary popular music. By way of metaphor, symbolism, and lyrical storytelling, RINI relates a story that intertwines personal emotion and cultural myth, demonstrating how antiquity's myths remain active in shaping contemporary creative work. The study emphasizes the use of music as a medium for rearticulating classical mythology in relation to depicting modern romantic ideals.

This study examines the denotative and connotative meanings contained in the lyrics of the song Garam dan Madu (Sakit Dadaku) by Tenxi, Naykilla, and Jemsii, which raises the theme of doubt and longing for love. The purpose of the study is to reveal the literal meaning and implied meaning in the lyrics. The method used is descriptive qualitative with data in the form of song lyric texts obtained from official sources. The results of the study show that the lyrics of this song contain other complementary meanings, namely the denotative meaning describes doubt, longing, uncertainty, and a promise to give the best in their relationship while the connotative meaning contains deeper emotions and symbolism related to love, hope, and commitment. This study provides an in-depth understanding of the song's message and its contribution to the study of semantics and popular culture.

This study analyzes Red Bull advertisements as a form of visual propaganda that effectively constructs a brand image associated with extreme sports, bravery, and extraordinary achievement. The background of this research lies in the phenomenon of the increasing prevalence of visual content in modern marketing strategies, which not only sell products but also embed ideologies and social identities. Red Bull was selected as the object of study due to its consistent use of visual elements rich in symbolic and connotative meaning. This research employs a qualitative approach using Roland Barthes' semiotic analysis method, along with theories of visual propaganda and social identity. The findings reveal that Red Bull communicates its message not merely through images and slogans, but also through the construction of deep connotative meanings. The slogan “Red Bull Gives You Wings” instills a sense of hope in surpassing one's limits, while the use of extreme sports figures as testimonials reinforces the product's image as a symbol of high performance. These advertisements create a modern myth in which Red Bull is associated with courage and freedom, transforming it from a mere energy drink into a lifestyle identity. In the context of social identity, consumers are not only purchasing a product but also affirming themselves as members of an adventurous, active, and daring community. Thus, Red Bull successfully builds brand loyalty through a strong and symbolic visual narrative. This research emphasizes that today’s advertisements are inseparable from ideological functions and the social constructions they visually shape.  

. Advertisement is a communication tool containing symbolic messages to shape consumer perception and persuade behavior. One of the notable advertisements is the herbal product Tolak Angin, with the slogan “Orang Pintar Minum Tolak Angin”. The purpose of this study is to analyze the meaning of the messages contained in the slogan and how this advertisement forms a consumer image through the symbols and narratives conveyed. This research uses a descriptive qualitative approach with a literature review method and Roland Barthes' semiotic theory as an analysis knife. This theory is used to see meaning through three layers, namely denotation, connotation, and myth. Tolak Angin advertisements are analyzed based on visual elements, character expressions, colors, verbal text, and other symbols that appear in the broadcast. The result shows that the advertisement constructs an image of a smart, modern, and health-conscious consumer through symbolic representation. It also creates a myth that consuming herbal medicine is a sign of intelligence and awareness of healthy living.

This study aims to describe and analyze the representation of Indonesian culture in Fiersa Besari's novel Arah Langkah using Roland Barthes' semiotic approach. This novel presents the narrative of the journey of the novel's characters who discover the diversity of Indonesian culture through geographical descriptions, customs, and social interactions that occur. Using descriptive qualitative methods and literature studies, the study examines the cultural signs that appear in the text in depth at the level of denotative, connotative, and cultural myth meanings. Barthes' approach allows the disclosure of layers of symbolic and ideological meanings hidden in the novel's cultural representation. The results of the analysis are expected to enrich literary and cultural studies, increase readers' appreciation of Indonesian cultural values, and contribute to the preservation of the nation's cultural identity amidst the flow of globalization. This study also emphasizes the role of the novel as a medium for reflecting socio-cultural life and a means of learning life values through the experiences of characters in the story.

This study aims to analyze the meanings embedded in the Fana Coffee logo using Roland Barthes' semiotic theory. The Fana Coffee logo features visual elements such as a bean sprout, soft typography spelling "Fana", and a dominant green color. The research adopts a descriptive qualitative approach through documentation, observation, interviews, and literature review. The analysis reveals that each element in the logo carries denotative, connotative, and mythological meanings. The green color symbolizes freshness and health, the sprout represents strength, simplicity, and adaptability, while the word “Fana” conveys impermanence and peace, aligning with the cozy ambiance of the coffee shop. Overall, the logo effectively reflects the identity and vision of Fana Coffee as a comfortable, natural, and welcoming place for visitors. This study is expected to provide insights for designers in creating meaningful and brand-relevant logos.

In advertising, females are frequently positioned as the center of attention to establish product image through culturally recognized signs and symbols. Advertisements transcend their promotional function, acting as media that both reflect and influence societal perceptions, including gender roles within daily life. This is exemplified in the Vicks VapoRub advertisement titled "Mother's Amazing Hands," which portrays women as mothers perpetually prepared to care for their families. This study investigates the representation of the mother's role within the aforementioned advertisement using Roland Barthes' semiotic theory. The research aims to twofold: 1) identify the denotative, connotative, and mythical meanings embedded within the Vicks VapoRub "Mother's Amazing Hands" ad; and 2) analyze the portrayal of the mother figure through the lens of Barthes' semiotic framework. The research employed a qualitative descriptive approach, utilizing Barthes' semiotic analysis method alongside concepts of social construction of reality, cinematography techniques, and the societal role of mothers. Through the analysis of verbal, non-verbal, audio, and visual elements within the advertisement, the study revealed the multifaceted representation of the mother's role. This includes functions of caregiving, nurturing, and treatment of family members, ultimately portraying the tangible actions a mother takes in providing for her family.

Interpersonal communication is fundamental in building relationships between individuals. The Indonesian version of My Annoying Brother (2024) depicts how interpersonal communication between two brothers, Kemal (Angga Yunanda) and Jay (Vino G. Bastian), affects their character development. This study aims to analyze the pattern of interpersonal communication in the film and explore the moral message contained in it. The research method used is qualitative descriptive with semiotic analysis of the Roland Barthes model. The results of the study show that interpersonal communication in this film consists of dididic (two people) and triadic (three people) communication, which occurs primary (direct) and secondary (through the media). This communication helps in building character such as responsibility, empathy, and sacrifice. The film also contains a strong moral message about the importance of effective communication in improving relationships and building positive characters.

The digital transformation of journalism has reshaped how news is communicated and consumed. In an ecosystem dominated by visual content and rapid engagement, emoji have emerged as essential tools for conveying emotional tone, shaping narratives, and enhancing audience interaction. This phenomenon is referred to as emojournalism, the use of emoji within journalistic content to foster emotional resonance and public engagement. This study employs a qualitative approach with a constructivist paradigm and phenomenological strategy. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, netnographic observation, and content analysis of online news shared on platforms like Instagram and Twitter. The analysis utilized Roland Barthes’ semiotic framework, supported by triangulation techniques to ensure data validity. Emoji function as emotional signifiers in news content, influencing audience interpretation and increasing digital interaction. Specific emojis—such as