THE PERCEPTION OF SELF-IDENTITY IN GENERATION Z WITHIN THE SUBCULTURAL TREND OF “SKENA” IN TIKTOK CONTENT BY SASTRA SILALAHI

Abstract

This study explored how Generation Z perceives and responds to "Scene" subculture content on TikTok, specifically from the account @sastra.silalahi. The scene content by @sastra.silalahi offers guidance and assessments on how to engage with this subculture, known for its distinct lifestyle and appearance. The method of this study was using a netnographic approach, the study analyzed user comments on the top five scene posts with the highest engagement. The findings revealed a range of responses: positive comments often praised the content as informative, entertaining, and educational about the scene subculture, while negative comments tended to reject being categorized within the scene subculture, viewing it as exclusive to a particular lifestyle. Neutral comments did not clearly lean towards either a positive or negative stance. Generation Z's perceptions of the scene subculture, whether positive, negative, or neutral, are heavily influenced by their social media consumption. This research aims to shed light on how social media, especially TikTok, plays a role in shaping Generation Z's individual identities through the scene subculture phenomenon.