Hallyu Wave: Rise of Korean Culture in the Philippines

CEBU, Philippines - The dashing Lee-Min Ho captured the hearts of Filipino TV viewers via the popular Korean drama series "Boys Over Flowers." Pambansang "Krung-Krung" Sandara Park easily rekindled the nation's fondness of her with her all-girls K-Pop group 2NE1. And PSY got everyone in the country dancing to his smashing hit singles "Gangnam Style" and "Gentleman."

And many Pinoy foodies now crave for kimchi or ddukbokkie rice cake. Well, of course, local teenagers dressed up in a fashion that resembles nothing Filipino are common sights in the shopping malls. The Hallyu Wave is sweeping across the country!

Hallyu Wave - or Korean Wave - is the term given to the invasion of Korean culture in other countries, the Philippines included of course. Hallyu literally translates as "flow of Korea." The Korean cultural influx is noticeable in several areas of Philippine life.

Cuisine

Chow time! The unique Korean food has also captured the taste of Filipinos. The initial hesitation about Korean food has now been replaced with great appreciation.

Perhaps the most popular Korean dish among Filipinos is the kimchi. Well, it is also a staple at dining tables in Korea. Kimchi is salted cabbage fermented in a bed of pepper, garlic, ginger and scallion.

Ramyeon is another popular Korean food that's now available at many local supermarkets. On the other hand, Korean restaurants have sprouted nationwide; many of them are doing very well. This is proof perhaps that the taste for Korean cuisine is really gaining ground among Filipinos.

The proliferation of Korean culture in the Philippines is noticeable. This is reinforced by the coming of Koreans to the country, whether to study or to do business. The way things are going, it seems expectable that the Korean presence in the country is going to get stronger in the days ahead.

Music - K-Pop

K-Pop is pop music originating from South Korea that has since captured the ears of music lovers the world over. While the music genre distinguishably bears western pop music influences, it has developed a distinct character all its own. K-Pop is usually presented with a wide variety of audiovisual elements and substance.

The genre is often presented with choreography and repetitive "hook." making the song easy to go along and easy to remember. The catchy music and dynamic choreography makes K-Pop a big favorite among Filipinos.

The success of K-pop music in the Philippines is evident in the string of hits from the previous years till the present topping the playlists of local radio stations. Numerous K-Pop acts have also held concerts in the country to standing-room audiences.

Among the most successful K-Pop titles, in the Philippines and in other countries, are "Gangnam Style" by PSY and "Nobody" by Wonder Girls. K-Pop has since developed a strong fan base all over the world.

Television Drama - Koreanovelas

The prodigious success of the Taiwanese hit TV series "Meteor Garden" was the turning point of Asian television drama. It opened the doors for K-Drama, which later became the new face of Asianovela.

K-Drama is known for its fresh storylines and scenic cinematography. It has captured good following among neighboring countries and even among westerners.  Its stories appeal to the masses, especially the youth and middle-aged.

The cast usually includes an "eye candy," giving viewers more reasons to enjoy the show by employing good-looking actors whose looks alone are enough to sustain attention. The "kilig" factor is always an important element.

Parents are comfortable with Koreanovelas, finding it safe for their children to watch. The shows are mostly Rated-G; foul language and violence are not highlighted. And K-Dramas are not the same old, stale, predictable plots that are recycled time and time again. (FREEMAN)