Netflix Indonesia’s latest original series, Night Shift for Cuties, is more than a story about K-pop fans chasing their dreams. Behind its colorful fandom backdrop, the series explores female friendship, economic hardship, body image, self-discovery, and the emotional role that idols can play in young people’s lives.
For actress Shenina Cinnamon, portraying Muti represented a unique challenge.
While Muti is an enthusiastic fangirl, she is also a member of the “sandwich generation”—young adults who must financially support both older and younger family members.
“I’ve never played a fangirl this intense before.”
According to Cinnamon, Muti’s connection to Purple Tea extends far beyond admiration.
“She has lost her father and must support her mother and younger sibling. At the same time, she has dreams of her own. Purple Tea gives her the motivation to keep going when nobody else around her does.”
Through Muti, the series examines how fandom can serve as a source of resilience during difficult periods of life.
A Breakout Performance in Netflix’s Night Shift for Cuties
Released as an eight-episode Netflix original series, Night Shift for Cuties follows two best friends, Muti (Shenina Cinnamon) and Jenar (Nadya Syarifa), who work at a convenience store and share an obsession with a fictional K-pop girl group called Purple Tea. As an opportunity to travel to South Korea emerges, their friendship is tested by competition, insecurity, and ambition.
The series explores K-pop fandom, female friendship, body image, economic struggles, and the challenges faced by young adults in contemporary Indonesia. Critics and entertainment media have highlighted the show’s fresh approach to fandom culture and its willingness to tackle topics such as beauty standards and self-worth.
