In popular series, the mother figure often mirrors the "Ibu" archetype familiar to Southeast Asian audiences—firm but loving, the anchor of the family. In romantic storylines, this often manifests as a mother trying to steer her son away from a marriage she deems unsuitable (often due to class or tribal differences). This creates the classic conflict between romantic love and filial duty. The drama derives not just from the couple’s issues, but from the hero’s heart-wrenching struggle to choose between the woman he loves and the "Ibu" he reveres.