Raka watched as the protagonist, a kind-hearted santri (Islamic boarding school student), outsmarted a greedy landlord. This genre, known as sinetron religi , had become a powerhouse. It reflected the "Islamization" of popular culture—a movement that turned religious piety into prime-time entertainment. The bad guys drank alcohol and gambled; the good guys prayed and wore peci (caps). It was a simplification of life, but it resonated deeply with the rising middle class in the suburbs of Java.