The Department of Communication Science at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Diponegoro University (FISIP UNDIP), is known for providing its students with a high degree of flexibility—especially when it comes to choosing thesis topics. This flexibility allows students to explore issues aligned with their personal interests, as long as they remain within the academic framework of communication studies. A concrete example of this can be seen in the experience of Marcella Vyskarrin Hanumuty—commonly known as Karrin—a student from the class of 2021, who chose an unconventional topic for her thesis: K-Dramas.

Karrin wrote her thesis titled “Representation of Alpha Female Character in the Korean Drama Queen of Tears.” She admitted that she selected this topic due to her personal interest in Korean dramas, combined with the popularity of the show at the time. Moreover, the topic of alpha women was trending on social media and being widely discussed by global public figures.

“The reason is simple—I love Korean dramas, and Queen of Tears was trending back then. The notion of alpha women was also being widely discussed on social media. Even influencers and global celebrities were talking about it. One of the easiest ways to study behavior is through films or drama series,” said Karrin when asked why she chose such a unique topic.

For Karrin, K-Dramas are more than just entertainment—they’re a reflection of culture and social values worthy of academic study. Through series like Queen of Tears, she saw an opportunity to understand female behavior and representation using a rigorous academic approach. However, the process wasn’t without challenges, and not everyone believed in the validity of her topic.

“I changed my title so many times—I even forgot what my first title was. A lot of people questioned whether K-Dramas could actually be used as a research topic. I got asked that a lot when I first started working on it,” she explained.

One of the most memorable parts of writing the thesis for Karrin was the emotional connection she felt with the main character, Hong Hae-in. She said the character taught her how women can survive life’s challenges, how to balance professional and personal life, and how to appear strong while still embracing vulnerability. This made the thesis journey more than just an academic requirement—it became a personal experience that enriched her perspective as both an individual and a woman.

Throughout the thesis process, Karrin found great help in the courses she had taken during her studies. She mentioned that classes such as Quantitative and Qualitative Research, Strategic Communication Research, Communication Theories, and Gender Communication directly contributed to her thesis. From those courses, she learned how to grasp fundamental research concepts, choose appropriate theories, and structure her academic writing in a systematic and relevant manner. This shows that the curriculum of the Communication Science Department at FISIP UNDIP is indeed designed to prepare students thoroughly for their final projects.

Reflecting on her experience, Karrin offered a few messages to fellow students—especially those nearing the end of their studies. She emphasized the importance of taking coursework seriously from the beginning and truly understanding the material, as it all becomes useful when working on a thesis. She also encouraged students not to give up—no matter how small the daily progress, it still leads toward completion. She believes that with consistency, support from academic advisors, and encouragement from friends, finishing a thesis on time is absolutely achievable.

Karrin’s experience is a clear example of how the Communication Science Department at FISIP UNDIP provides space for creativity, personal interest, and intellectual freedom in academic writing. With an open approach and strong academic support, students are empowered to tackle current and popular topics—as long as they apply the appropriate scientific method. This proves that Communication Studies at UNDIP is not only academically relevant but also highly adaptive to the evolving dynamics of popular culture.