Tuai Pro Kontra, Nia Dinata Explains the Reasons for Changing Character Names in the Indonesian Version of 'GOSSIP GIRL'

Kapanlagi.com - Nia Dinata is trusted as the showrunner in the production of the Indonesian version of GOSSIP GIRL. As is known, the original source starring Blake Lively and Leighton Meester was so booming when it aired in 2007.

In its adaptation, Nia made several changes to adapt to the cultural context. Starting from the limitations of dialogue and scenes during the scriptwriting process with Lucky Kuswandi and Melissa Karim.

"The scriptwriting follows the American version, but there are things that we adapt. The Indonesian version has its limits," said Nia when met at CGV Cinema Grand Indonesia, Central Jakarta, on Thursday (6/2/2020).

1. Name Changes

© KapanLagi.com/Budy Santoso

Not only limiting the storytelling to adapt to culture, character names are also slightly changed by mixing Western names and names with more local flavor. For example, Serena van der Woodsen becomes Serena Darsono, Blair Waldorf becomes Blair Hadiningrat, or Chuck Bass becomes Chicco Salim. This mixing is also because the characters are born from different races.

"Regarding the names, we mix them based on race. For example, Serena and Blair are Javanese, their mother is of descent, their father's name is Darsono and Hadiningrat. As for Chuck, we change it to Chicco because after research, the name Chuck doesn't really stick in Indonesia. But Chicco is familiar, like Chicco Jericho," explained Nia.

2. Pro and Contra of Serena and Blair's Names

The use of the names Serena and Blair, which do not have a local flavor, has sparked controversy when announced. However, Nia Dinata intentionally let the two names remain the same as in the original series because the heart of the story lies in these two characters.

"The names Serena and Blair are not very common. But Blair is a major character, so we consciously decided to keep her name as Blair because there are a lot of hardcore GOSSIP GIRL viewers, meaning they are deeply attached. If we change the name, it will become unfamiliar," she concluded.

(kpl/abs/nda)