Viral Song 'My Little Bolu Ketan': Psychiatrist Explains Earworm Phenomenon

Social media is currently abuzz with the viral song ‘My Little Bolu Ketan’. The song’s catchy snippets, widely shared on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, are considered highly entertaining and easy to remember, causing them to repeatedly play in people’s minds. The song, which mentions Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, is popular among adults and frequently sung by both young people and children. But what are the psychological effects of this persistent earworm? Dr. Lahargo Kembaren, a psychiatrist at Bogor’s Marzoeki Mahdi Hospital, explained that the involuntary recurrence of a song in one’s mind is known as an earworm or Involuntary Musical Imagery (IMI). He noted that earworms are a normal psychological phenomenon. Viral songs tend to stick in memory due to their simple, repetitive, emotional nature and constant exposure in digital environments. ‘Viral songs are like guests who initially just drop by, but because the algorithm keeps opening the door, they end up staying in the mind,’ Dr. Lahargo stated on Sunday (31 May). Regarding its impact on mental health, Dr. Lahargo categorised the effects into two. In the short term, the phenomenon is generally harmless for the general public. ‘In the short term, it’s usually harmless. For some, it can boost mood, bring joy, provide light entertainment, and foster a sense of togetherness through shared trends,’ he explained. However, he noted exceptions for certain individuals. For those experiencing stress, anxiety, or concentration difficulties, earworms can be a nuisance, reducing productivity and disrupting sleep patterns. Dr. Lahargo stated there is currently no strong evidence that viral songs cause long-term mental damage in healthy individuals. However, he highlighted a greater risk beyond the earworm itself: excessive social media consumption. ‘The more concerning issue is excessive social media consumption, which can increase distractions, reduce attention spans, and condition the brain to seek quick stimulation,’ said the Central Board for Community Service of the Indonesian Psychiatric Association (PP-PDSKJI). With proper understanding, viral phenomena like ‘My Little Bolu Ketan’ can be enjoyed as entertainment without disrupting psychological balance or daily productivity. Recently, Tabola Bale was awarded by the YouTube Music Academy 2025 as Most Subscriber Gained Artist. Their selection to perform at TikTok Rising Indonesia 2025 was based on their analytics performance on the platform.