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Hallyu, the rising wave of Korean culture in the Philippines

Hallyu, the rising wave of Korean culture in the Philippines

Hallyu is undeniably a phenomenal and beyond popular culture that revolutionizes globally, including in the Philippine archipelago. The term refers to the “Korean wave” or the rapid spread of Korean popular culture. It catalyzes a soft power, and continuously creating a strong impact on South Korea.

Here are some of the reasons and pieces of evidence of Hallyu paving its way in the hearts of many Filipinos:

Korean pop music (K-Pop)

During the 2010s, K-pop began to flourish in the mainstream media of the country. Wonder Girls’ Nobody and Psy’s Gangnam Style are just two of the key engines in K-pop’s golden era, dominating with its billion views on YouTube. Even though the lyrics were in full Korean language with just some English words, Filipinos still enjoy singing and dancing along to the music. It also gave listeners an urge to learn the Korean language while gracefully syncing in the choreography.

Photo | TWICE

Some of the most famous K-Pop bands of all time are Super Junior, Girl’s Generation, 2ne1, EXO, TWICE, BLACKPINK, and of course, BTS. They have undoubtedly the most successful K-Pop boy band performing on the global stage. K-Pop constantly builds a diverse yet loyal fanbase in the Philippines, deeply making these artists an inspiration during their trying times.

Korean drama series and movies

A total immersion in Korean culture is what best explains Korean Dramas. Two of the reasons why K-dramas become hyped among Filipinos of all ages include unexpected plot twists and relatable storylines. The characters in the film favorably create a connection with the viewers. Of course, this may be the best reason why it leaves an unforgettable impact on viewers. Some of the highly-recommended dramas and movies include Reply 1988, Strong Girl Bong Soon, Descendants of the Sun, Crash Landing on You, and The World of the Married Couple. The newly released Squid Game, Parasite, and All of Us Are Dead were also topnotch in their suspense genre. 

Photo | Mr. Queen

Truly, K-dramas have gained popularity among Filipinos with an instance that they can answer the most beloved K-drama they’ve watched. Aside from its scenic cinematography, a lot of Filipino audiences swoon at visual faces of Korean actors and actresses. In addition, binge-watching K-dramas literally took us into a realm where a different universe unfolds.

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Food and fashion, makeup and skincare

The Philippines is known for its savory delicacies, which is a reason for us, Filipinos, to extremely love food. Trending videos on the internet, as well as in K-dramas, showcase how exquisite the cuisine of South Korea is. Mukbang videos also circulate on social media wherein vloggers are eating an enormous amount of food making the viewers feel appetized. Samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly), kimbap (Korean rice rolls), kimchi (fermented vegetables), and tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), are just some of the Korean foods loved by Filipinos. The staple rice, and the use of fresh herbs and spices, are the two common grounds of both cuisines.

Lastly, Korean fashion trends and cosmetics are evident especially in Filipino teens. We love to follow makeup and skincare tutorials using products that can make you have a glass-skin effect, and peachy glow. Apparently, boutiques that sell Korean-inspired clothing and accessories can be seen all over the country, as well as online. 

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