Korean TV Dramas and All Things Korean Invading the Philippines
October 16th, 2009 Filed under: Uncategorized — Movie Critic
It was bound to happen. The increasing popularity of Korean TV dramas in the Philippines coupled with the mass migration of Koreans to the country was bound to affect the entertainment industry in more ways than one. Recently, the local airwaves have been dominated by Korean pop (Kpop) music especially by those of the Wonder Girls and 2NE1.
And part of the Kpop group 2NE1 is Sandara Park, who used to be one of the most famous celebrities in the Philippines. Currently, Boys Over Flowers is arguably the favorite television show by Filipinos right now. The ladies have fallen in love with the members of the Korean F4, especially Lee Min-ho and Kim Bum.
So it was inevitable that there would be some tie ups between Korean actors and Filipina actresses. A commercial starring Lee Min-ho and Sandara Park was released in Korea almost a month ago. The advertisement for OB’s Cass Beer featured a kissing scene between the two celebrities which made thousands of Filipinos turn green with envy.
And just a few weeks back Kim Bum came to the Philippines in order to shoot a series of RC Cola commercials with local celebrity Maja Salvador. The set of commercials which is scheduled for release soon will have a romantic theme. It seems as if this is only the beginning of tie-ups between the two countries, at least in the entertainment industry.
Some even say that a Korean invasion is currently taking place in the country. There are more and more Koreans studying in Philippine schools and universities. Korean magazines are now available in local bookstores and their music is now being sold in record shops. Numerous grocery stores and restaurants have been opened by Koreans as well.
Perhaps it is only a matter of time before they start becoming heads of local companies and the like-maybe even surpassing the success of the Chinese in the country. Only time will tell. But for now we should just enjoy all the Korean TV Dramas and music our hearts desire.
Erika Ayala is a very passionate writer. She is currently obsessed with all things Korean. She really thinks you’s enjoy reading about the commercials by Kim Bum & Maja Salvador and Sandara Park & Lee MinHo.
