Hallyu in the Philippines

“Hallyu” is the Korean term for the “wave” or the increase in popularity of South Korean culture all over the world. It started since late 1990s and first felt in China with the broadcast of several South Korean TV dramas in the country. However, Hallyu doesn’t only consist of TV dramas, but as well as Korean films, pop music, animation and comics, through which South Korea’s latest fashion, cosmetics, dances, cuisines and language are being introduced throughout the globe.

"Bright Girl", first Korean drama aired in the Philippines

In the Philippines, the said Korean Wave started in 2003 when the Korean drama entitled “Bright Girl” was first aired by the GMA Network. After this, Korean dramas were aired one-after-another by different networks in the country. Now, it already seems like one day of watching TV will not be complete without these dramas. Korean dramas are so popular in the country that they have conquered the morning, afternoon and even evening timeslots of Philippine television.

"My Girl" Filipino version

Due to the Filipinos’ extreme patronage for Korean dramas, more popularly known as Koreanovelas in the country, the Philippine Entertainment has adapted the stories of these telenovelas. They made remakes of these dramas, first of which is the Koreanovela, “My Girl” of ABS-CBN in 2008, followed by a number of adaptations of Korean series by other networks. Among these are “Only You” of ABS-CBN, “Stairway to Heaven” and “Full House” of GMA Network.

Super Junior, one of the famous KPop group in the Philippines

Today, Hallyu in the Philippines is not only evident in TV programs. Even the Korean popular music, most commonly known as KPop which is a musical genre consisting of dance, electronic, electropop, hip hop, rock, and R&B music originating in South Korea, has already gained popularity in the country. At the same time when Korean dramas first entered the country, music videos of KPop started appearing on MYX Philippines. In 2009, KPop completely occupied the Philippine hit charts. Songs such as “Nobody” by the girl group Wonder Girls and “Sorry Sorry” by the boy group Super Junior beat the domination of OPM in the country.

Dream KPop Fantasy Concert

It was only last year when the first Dream KPop Fantasy Concert was held in the Philippines where few among the famous KPop groups, such as the Girl’s Generation, Infinite, U-Kiss, performed, a clear evidence of the continuous invasion of KPop in the country.

These past few months, the Philippine concert arena was filled with performances of South Korean Idols. At the start of the year, the second Dream Kpop Fantasy Concert was held wherein groups such as Super Junior, BTOB and Block B performed.

Chicser, Filipino boy dance group

Just like Korean dramas, because of the Filipinos’, especially the teens’, patronage of KPop, Korean Pop music has already influenced the Philippine pop culture. This is evident in songs which sound like KPop and artists who dress like KPop idols. A great example would be the group Chicser, a Filipino boy dance group.

Hallyu has indeed invaded the Philippines – its influences, evident in the trending dances, fashion, cosmetics and even cuisines in the country.

by Girlyn G. Vinarao

References:

Santamaria, C. (19 September, 2012). "Korean 'Hallyu' and the Pinoy Invasion". Retrieved March 25, 2014 from

<http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/12681-hallyu-growing-in-ph>
Ayala, E. (15 October, 2009). Korean TV Dramas and all things Korean invading the Philippines. Retrieved March 25, 2014, from
<http://ezinearticles.com/?Korean-TV-Dramas-and-All-Things-Korean-Invading-the-Philippines&id=3100027>
Anonymous (20 November, 2012). KPop and Korean Dramas. Retrieved March 25, 2014 from
<http://star0416.wordpress.com/2012/11/20/hallyuwave/>
Hicap, J (6 September, 2009). Korean Dramas Continue to Captivate Philippines. Retrieved March 25, 2014 from
<http://www.hancinema.net/korean-dramas-continue-to-captivate-the-philippines-20727.html>