Melola Discovery

← Melola Discovery

Journal

The Meaning of Social Criticism in the Song Fragile (玻璃心/ Bōlíxīn) Namewee ft. Kimberley Chen: Critical Discourse Analysis of Van Dijk

Longda Xiaokan: Journal of Mandarin Learning and Teaching · Vol. 8 No. 2 (2025) · pp. 66–84

DOI
10.15294/longdaxiaokan.v8i2.34383
ISSN
2715-1611, 2528-5734
Published
2025-12-03
Publisher
Universitas Negeri Semarang
Language
eng

Abstract

This research aims to determine the discourse structure (text), social cognition, and social context in the song Fragile (玻璃心/Bōlíxín) text, the results of this research show that the song Fragile (玻璃心/Bōlíxín) by Namewee in collaboration with Kimberley Chen. This research method uses qualitative research methods with Van Dijk's critical discourse analysis. The technique in this research is using data collection techniques, data analysis, and presenting results to draw conclusions. Based on text analysis, the results of this research indicate that the song Fragile (玻璃心/Bōlíxín) Expression and Music as a Medium of Resistance. The superstructure which contains the text schematic shows the existence of a text framework starting from the intro as the opening melody, the verse as the opening lyrics, the pre-chorus the pre-chorus is the transition section that connects the verse with the chorus, the refrain which is the core and climax of the song, the bridge which has different variations of all song structures which functions as a bridge or diverts the atmosphere of the song in terms of tone, lyrics and emotion, the final chorus which is followed by an outro to close the song. Micro structure as a local meaning shows criticism and protests against the government regarding the government's sensitivity when receiving criticism and limitations in expressing and expressing opinions. Apart from criticizing the government, this song also highlights the defensive attitude of Little Pinks, who are known as pro-government youth who have an extreme nationalist attitude but are wrapped in romantic lyrics and a cute, funny and creative video clip. Meanwhile, the social cognition of this song utilizes international collective knowledge regarding the sensitivity of the Chinese government and netizens to criticism, as well as the social context that plays a role in how this song is consumed by society. The social context of this song also shows different reactions from Chinese society and from outside China.

Keywords

Collaboration network of the authors

6 authors · 7 co-authorship links

Hover or tap a name to highlight its co-authors. Double-click to open the author's page.

  • Affiliation unknown
  • Different organisations
  • Same organisation
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Thicker line = more joint articles · bigger circle = more articles
Show as table
Co-authorOrganisationJoint articles
Ria Riski MarsukiAffiliation unknown1
SukmaAffiliation unknown1
Leni CahyatiAffiliation unknown1
Khafifa Fuji LestariAffiliation unknown1

Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.

Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/longdaxiaokan/oai, first harvested 6 Nov 2026, last seen 8 Nov 2026.
Original metadata (oai_dc) 
<oai_dc:dc xmlns="http://www.openarchives.org/OAI/2.0/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:oai_dc="http://www.openarchives.org/OAI/2.0/oai_dc/" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.openarchives.org/OAI/2.0/oai_dc/  http://www.openarchives.org/OAI/2.0/oai_dc.xsd">
	<dc:title xml:lang="en">The Meaning of Social Criticism in the Song Fragile (玻璃心/ Bōlíxīn) Namewee ft. Kimberley Chen: Critical Discourse Analysis of Van Dijk</dc:title>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Muslimat, Andi Filsah</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Halidun, Wa Ode Siti Hardianti </dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Social Criticism, Songs,  Critical Discourse Analysis,  Teun A. Van Dijk </dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en">This research aims to determine the discourse structure (text), social cognition, and social context in the song Fragile (玻璃心/Bōlíxín) text, the results of this research show that the song Fragile (玻璃心/Bōlíxín) by Namewee in collaboration with Kimberley Chen. This research method uses qualitative research methods with Van Dijk's critical discourse analysis. The technique in this research is using data collection techniques, data analysis, and presenting results to draw conclusions. Based on text analysis, the results of this research indicate that the song Fragile (玻璃心/Bōlíxín) Expression and Music as a Medium of Resistance. The superstructure which contains the text schematic shows the existence of a text framework starting from the intro as the opening melody, the verse as the opening lyrics, the pre-chorus the pre-chorus is the transition section that connects the verse with the chorus, the refrain which is the core and climax of the song, the bridge which has different variations of all song structures which functions as a bridge or diverts the atmosphere of the song in terms of tone, lyrics and emotion, the final chorus which is followed by an outro to close the song . Micro structure as a local meaning shows criticism and protests against the government regarding the government's sensitivity when receiving criticism and limitations in expressing and expressing opinions. Apart from criticizing the government, this song also highlights the defensive attitude of Little Pinks, who are known as pro-government youth who have an extreme nationalist attitude but are wrapped in romantic lyrics and a cute, funny and creative video clip. Meanwhile, the social cognition of this song utilizes international collective knowledge regarding the sensitivity of the Chinese government and netizens to criticism, as well as the social context that plays a role in how this song is consumed by society. The social context of this song also shows different reactions from Chinese society and from outside China.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en">Universitas Negeri Semarang</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2025-12-03</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion</dc:type>
	<dc:type xml:lang="en">Peer-reviewed Article</dc:type>
	<dc:format>application/pdf</dc:format>
	<dc:identifier>https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/longdaxiaokan/article/view/34383</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.15294/longdaxiaokan.v8i2.34383</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en">Longda Xiaokan: Journal of Mandarin Learning and Teaching; Vol. 8 No. 2 (2025); 66-84</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2715-1611</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2528-5734</dc:source>
	<dc:source>10.15294/longdaxiaokan.v8i2</dc:source>
	<dc:language>eng</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/longdaxiaokan/article/view/34383/7347</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">Copyright (c) 2025 Longda Xiaokan: Journal of Mandarin Learning and Teaching</dc:rights>
</oai_dc:dc>