QUARTER LIFE CRISIS DALAM SERIAL KOMEDI ROMANTIS (Analisis Isi pada Drama Lokal Lara Ati yang Tayang di Vidio.com)

Early adulthood is a transitional phase toward adulthood known as the Quarter-Life Crisis phenomenon, a period of crisis occurring between the ages of 18 and 30, during which individuals should be prepared for the psychological and social challenges of life.
However, many adolescents experience a Quarter-Life Crisis, characterized by a loss of direction and an identity crisis. This phenomenon is widely depicted in the media, including the local drama Lara Ati. The purpose of this study is to determine the process of Joko's identity search as a reflection of the Quarter-Life Crisis in the local drama Lara Ati. Using a descriptive qualitative content analysis method, the research data consists of dialogues that touch on Joko's identity crisis.
This analysis utilizes Oliver Robinson's Quarter-Life Crisis theory, with categories of Locked-In, Separation, Exploration, and Rebuilding. It is also supported by a communication psychology perspective to understand the message delivery process. This research shows that Lara Ati constructs the Quarter-Life Crisis (QLC) phenomenon through the communicative experiences of Joko, particularly during the Locked-In phase, which is characterized by identity conflict, role pressure, and emotional instability. The Separation phase displays a communication rift and escalating emotions, while the Exploration and Rebuilding phases demonstrate recovery through reflective dialogue, meta-communication, and social support. These findings confirm that the QLC in local drama is not simply an internal crisis, but a process shaped through verbal and nonverbal interactions and relationship dynamics. Therefore, Joko's identity is understood as a social construction negotiated through communication.