How have Korean dramas influenced Philippine industry? (2024)

Do you still remember Meteor Garden? It was one of the most popular and memorable Asian dramas broadcast in the Philippines. When it was shown on television, most teens at the time, including myself, were eager to go home to watch the episodes. Since then, various Asian dramas have been emerging and, presently, Korean dramas are one of the most popular in Asia, if not around the world. Many children, teens, and even adults have adored Korean dramas ever since these were first introduced in the Philippines in the 2000s.


Filipinos has always been welcoming of foreign trends and culture. As such, Korean culture and trends as seen in Korean dramas have invaded and been deeply rooted in Philippine society today. Korean dramas have greatly influenced the food, fashion, cosmetics, music, and entertainment industries, as well as people’s views and preferences.


Food
Most Korean dramas showcase the exquisiteness of Korean cuisine, influencing its viewers to crave the experience of Korean food. Kimchi, ramyeon, bibimbap, samgyeopsal, kimbap, and bulgogi are some of the most popular Korean dishes in the Philippines. Many Korean restaurants have been established in the country to cater to the increasing Korean food market. Online videos about the samyang ramyeon challenge—or eating super spicy instant Korean ramen—have also been circulating in social media. Restaurants and retail stores have also seized the opportunity to earn more profits, with many selling ramyeon.


Fashion and beauty
According the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, fashion is a popular way of dressing during a particular time or among a particular group of people. Fashion is a distinctive and often constant trend in the style in which a person dresses. Media places a significant role on introducing fashion trends. Through Korean dramas, Korean fashion has spread and has gained popularity among the Filipino masses. Most Filipino teens mimic the fashion sense of Koreans. Boutiques that sell trendy Korean clothing and accessories can be seen in most shopping malls around the country. Korean cosmetics are also gaining popularity, as we are influenced by Korean actors and actresses with radiant and flawless skin.


Language
Language is the system of words or signs that people use to express thoughts and feelings to each other. Language can be a barrier to communication and, to better understand the Korean language, many Filipinos have learned to speak Korean. In 2017, Education Secretary Leonor Briones and South Korean Ambassador Kim Jae Shin signed a memorandum of agreement to give students in the Philippines opportunities to develop their skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking Korean. Due to the exposure to Korean dramas, we can now hear many Filipinos use simple words and phrases, such as an “oppa” (brother), “unni” (sister), “anyeonghaseyo” (hello), and others.


Travel
Many Korean drama fans have been dreaming of traveling to South Korea to see scenic locations, such as Gyeongbokgung Palace (the major legal residence of the royal family during the Joseon Dynasty), N Soul Tower, Jeju Island (located atop Namsan Mountain in the center of the city, offering a great scenic view of the cityscape), Namiseom Island (which became popular after appearing in the Korean drama Winter Sonata in 2002), and many more.


Entertainment
The huge viewer demand has prompted Philippine television stations to import Korean dramas. Top Korean drama series, such as Lovers in Paris, Full House, My Name is Kim Sam Soon, Stairway to Heaven, Coffee Prince, and Boys Over Flowers are imported and dubbed in Filipino, capturing the attention of many audiences through high ratings.


All of these trends or influences are just passing; new trends will emerge and eventually change our ways. We may choose to live in the moment and grasp the opportunities these trends present, as long as we remain true to ourselves as Filipino people. I look forward to experiencing the future influences Korean dramas may bring.


Ms. Tangpos is audit and assurance senior of P&A Grant Thornton in Cebu. P&A Grant Thornton is a leading audit, tax, advisory, and outsourcing firm in the Philippines, with 21 Partners and over 900 staff members and offices in Makati, Cavite, Cebu and Davao. For comments on this article, please email analyn.tangpos@ph.gt.com or PAGrantThornton.marketscomm@ph.gt.com. For our services,visit www.grantthornton.com.ph; twitter: pagrantthornton, and FB: P&A Grant Thornton.

As published in Mindanao Times, dated 15 May 2018

How have Korean dramas influenced Philippine industry? (2024)

FAQs

How have Korean dramas influenced Philippine industry? ›

Korean dramas have greatly influenced the food, fashion, cosmetics, music, and entertainment industries, as well as people's views and preferences. Most Korean dramas showcase the exquisiteness of Korean cuisine, influencing its viewers to crave the experience of Korean food.

How have Korean dramas influenced Philippine culture? ›

The consistent consumption of Korean dramas has affected certain aspects of Filipino lives such as eating and buying more Korean food, adopting the minimalist fashion style, and gaining interest in or even actually learning the Korean language.

Why are K-dramas very famous to Filipinos? ›

Based on the previous literature and interviewees, the unique and non-repetitive plots, talented actors, and quality production have contributed to the popularity of K-Dramas. Furthermore, K-Dramas have influenced their viewers' food preferences, beauty standards, and interest in a foreign country.

What is the influence of Kpop in the Philippines? ›

It impacts their lifestyle choices, such as fashion and purchasing idol goods. Moreover, KPOP culture affects students' behavior, leading to changes in their values and interests, including making new friends and diversifying aesthetics.

What is the Korean wave's major impact in the Philippines? ›

The Korean wave, also known as Hallyu, has a significant influence on the Filipino entertainment industry. It has led to a shift in consumer behavior, with Filipinos increasingly preferring Korean products and services over local ones.

Why do Filipino love Korean dramas? ›

Unpredictable Plot

Something else Filipinos find appealing about Koreanovelas is their incredible storylines. Every drama is unique and realistic. Although some of them may tend to fall into cliches or formulaic plots, they're not afraid of experimenting with new ways of telling these kinds of stories.

What are the impacts of Korean dramas? ›

The finding shows that Korean dramas satisfy Asian audiences' emotional needs by being easy to assimilate to a similar life style, cultural proximity and expressiveness. Filipino consumption of Korean dramas played a significant role in the Hallyu (Korean Wave) phenomenon in the Philippines.

How popular is Korean drama in the Philippines? ›

K-drama viewing among Filipinos, in particular, grew to 350 percent in 2020.

When did Korean drama become popular in the Philippines? ›

Many children, teens, and even adults have adored Korean dramas ever since these were first introduced in the Philippines in the 2000s. Filipinos has always been welcoming of foreign trends and culture.

Why Korean dramas are successful? ›

Female-Centric Narratives - In a world where storytelling often caters to the male gaze, K-Dramas stand out. They are celebrated for their ability to portray life and love from a distinctly female perspective. This fresh approach, shaped by a predominantly female group of scriptwriters, resonates deeply with audiences.

Who is the most famous K-pop in the Philippines? ›

Well, the international pop sensation BTS was named the “most tweeted about K-Pop artist” both in the Philippines and all over the world. The top 10 most tweeted about K-pop artists in the Philippines in 2021 were: BTS.

How has K-pop influence culture? ›

K-pop fashion often features a mix of Western and Asian styles, creating a unique aesthetics that appeals to a diverse international audience. This generates a cycle of cultural exchange, where elements of South Korean culture are adopted globally, while global influences are also incorporated into K-pop fashion.

What are the foreign influences in the Philippines culture? ›

The predominant influence comes from Spanish and American colonization, which has shaped the distinctiveness of the Philippine culture . Additionally, the neighboring Chinese, Japanese, East Indian, Indonesian, Malaysian, and Islamic cultures have also had an impact on Filipino culture .

Why do Filipinos love Hallyu? ›

Filipinos love Hallyu due to shared cultural traits with Koreans, such as expressiveness, hospitality, and gift-giving, creating a sense of familiarity and connection through Korean dramas. Filipinos love Hallyu due to the fascination with Korean culture, particularly through Korean cuisine.

What is the influence of K-pop industry? ›

K-pop's Impact on the Global Music Scene

K-pop has influenced the global music scene by fusing with a variety of music genres such as pop, hip-hop, R&B, funk, rap, and rock. K-pop is even considered its own genre, as BTS famously claims.

What is the relationship between Korea and the Philippines? ›

The relations between the Philippines and South Korea have always been characterized by such mutual trust and support. Bilateral relations between the two countries started on 3 March 1949 when the Philippines became the fifth country to recognize South Korea.

What is the importance of drama play in Philippine culture? ›

The Phillipine theater is important and plays an important role on promoting Filipino culture and heritage. It showcases the beauty and talent filipinos have. Furthermore it seeks to entertain people and as well as imparts knowledge through telling a story in a creative way.

What are the effects of Koreanovelas on the Filipino value system? ›

Watching Koreanovelas has influenced Filipino values by promoting cultural closeness, affirming hierarchical family relationships, and providing a cultural window into Korean way of life.

How did Hallyu become part of Philippine pop culture? ›

Hallyu (Korean wave)" in China, Taiwan, and Japan has become a new trend since the late 1990's and its typical aspects seem to have reached the Philippines since 2003, especially through soap opera, so called "Koreanovela." This research focuses on the Filipino experience of the flow of Koreanovelas in the Philippine ...

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