The Dynamics of Maternal Infidelity in Contemporary Indonesian Narrative: A Close Reading of “Genjot Ibu Karena Selingkuh” Featuring Kimika Ichijou Abstract This paper examines the narrative “Genjot Ibu Karena Selingkuh” (transl. Boosting Mother Because She Cheats ) with particular focus on the character Kimika Ichijou. By situating the work within the broader context of Indonesian popular fiction and transnational media influences, the analysis explores how the story interrogates gendered expectations, familial hierarchy, and moral ambiguity. The paper argues that the tale uses the trope of maternal infidelity not merely for sensationalism but as a vehicle to critique entrenched patriarchal norms and to foreground the agency—however constrained—of its female protagonists. 1. Introduction The trope of infidelity is a recurrent motif in world literature, often employed to destabilize the sanctity of the family unit and to expose hidden power relations. In Indonesian popular storytelling—ranging from sinetrons (television dramas) to web‑novels—the theme has been adapted to reflect local cultural anxieties about morality, honor, and modernity. “Genjot Ibu Karena Selingkuh” (2023) emerges as a notable example, blending melodramatic elements with a contemporary aesthetic that draws upon Japanese pop‑culture references, most prominently the inclusion of the character Kimika Ichijou.
