The Dynamics of an Ex-Partner's Presence at a Wedding Between Reality, Viral Content, and Its Impact on Marital Harmony

Abstract

This study aims to explore the reality and impact of viral content dramatizing the presence of ex-partners at weddings on the harmony of married couples and analyze this phenomenon through Erving Goffman’s Dramaturgical theory. The research employs a literature study and qualitative research methods, with data sources from relevant books, journals, and websites. The data are analyzed descriptively and analytically using dramaturgical theory. The study’s findings reveal that the presence of ex-partners at weddings turned into viral content, which is often a deliberate action to seek attention and public validation. This phenomenon, however, can lead to discomfort and tension for the married couple, significantly impacting the wedding atmosphere and creating psychological distress. The viral content, designed to elicit empathy by highlighting a narrative of suffering, reflects a pursuit of social media popularity that can disrupt the harmony of newly married couples. Moreover, the long-term effects of this phenomenon involve changes in social norms and individual behaviours, which are increasingly influenced by digital platforms. Using Erving Goffman’s Dramaturgical Theory, this study reveals that this phenomenon can be seen as a “performance” on the social media stage, where individuals strive to control how the public perceives them. Married couples are forced to play a role in the drama created by the ex-partner, which can create tension in their newly formed relationship. Therefore, education about digital ethics and the importance of maintaining privacy boundaries becomes increasingly relevant to mitigate the negative impacts of this phenomenon, enabling society to use social media more wisely and to maintain interpersonal relationship harmony in the digital age.