Parents and teachers are confused. Why is hair suddenly disgusting?
Dr. Rina Aditya, Child Psychologist:
"This generation watches 10,000 hours of Korean Pop content by age 13. K-Pop idols (BTS, NewJeans) have laser-hairless, luminous skin. The anak SMP brain sees body hair as 'dirty' or 'rural.' It is a status symbol. Being tak berbulu signals that you have the time, money, and technology to maintain a digital identity."
It is also a reaction to post-pandemic life. After two years of masks and Zoom (where only your face and chest are visible), the upper body became the only stage. Legs and arms became irrelevant; the face, hands, and neck became the canvas. memek anak smp tak berbulu new
If you are a brand ignoring "anak SMP tak berbulu", you are losing a massive demographic. Their spending power (via parent's digital wallet) is extraordinary.
| Product Category | Market Response | | :--- | :--- | | Hair Removal | Veet and Nair now sponsor SMP dance competitions. Eyebrow threading salons offer "Student Packages." | | Skincare | Wardah and MS Glow release "Cool Stick Sunscreen" that fits in a pencil case. | | Entertainment | WeTV and Viu produce mini-dramas where the lead is bullied for having a "mustache." | | Fashion | Uniqlo airism masks become the official uniform of the hairless SMP kid. |
For "anak SMP tak berbulu," entertainment is no longer passive (TV) or purely social (playing outside). It is curated, niche, and interactive. Parents and teachers are confused
While the "tak berbulu" aesthetic seems aspirational, it carries significant psychological weight.
Kids with visible hair (genetic or hormonal) are mocked in group chats with memes of gorillas or monkeys. The bullying has shifted from physical shoving to aesthetic shaming.
They have abandoned Mobile Legends (too stressful, too sweaty). The new gaming is Roblox: Dress to Impress. "This generation watches 10,000 hours of Korean Pop
This new lifestyle has created unspoken but rigid social codes:
A tak berbulu kid needs: