The research studies how young Indonesian viewers perceive the portrayal of a dominant female and male submission in romantic relationships in "500 Days of Summer" and how Indonesian cultural values influence young Indonesians' perceptions of gender roles in romantic relationships of the main characters in the film "500 Days of Summer". This study employs a qualitative ethnographic approach and Stuart Hall’s encoding-decoding theory. The data collection methods are based on snowball sampling and focus group discussions. The results show two main perspectives among participants. Those adhering to traditional norms express disapproval by unconventional portrayals, while others perceive them as an expression of female empowerment and a chance to improve communication in relationships. These findings suggest a potential shift in gender role perceptions among young Indonesians exposed to media that challenges traditional norms. The research contributes to understanding the shifting roles of gender and the influence of media on cultural perceptions in Indonesia.
