Hallyu or the Korean Wave, which is the widespread influence of South Korean popular culture such as music, film, fashion, and more, has made a significant impact in the Philippines. Its influence is very evident in how the youth act nowadays, often depicted by their fashion and music preferences. While famous Korean personalities contributed to the aforementioned influence, Korean dramas played a major role in incorporating their way of life into ours.
Korean telenovelas have been popular in the Philippines since the early 2000s, though as the internet isn’t as common as before, they are often shown on television with Filipino dubbing. Korean shows being a hit in our country are often demonstrated by their high viewer ratings as well as their adaptations being made in our country, such as the shows Coffee Prince and Full House.
There are lots of reasons why Filipinos are hooked on Korean dramas; some are listed below.
1. They have unique and captivating storylines.
Korean dramas often explore a wide range of themes, they don’t limit their plots to romance, unlike most Filipino teleseryes do (though it’s fair to say that we are now exploring other themes as well). One of their prominent themes is historical drama, which tackles the different eras in their history, denoting that they do place value on their culture and tradition.
2. Top-notch Production Quality
It is very evident in their outputs that Koreans are committed to producing quality dramas that appeal to the senses and are highly enjoyable. From the cinematography to soundtracks to castings and many more elements that make up a drama, they are consistent with their commitment.
3. Realistic and Relatable Characters
Characters in K-dramas often reflect people in real life. Many can relate to the protagonist a lot of times as it is complex and encounters realistic struggles.
4. Reflects Korean Culture Genuinely
K-dramas depict day-to-day living in Korea, which helps international viewers get a sense of what it is like to live in their country. It can be seen that they place importance on their history as well; even though some shows aren’t historical dramas, they always somehow make sure to highlight or at least mention a part of their history.
Ricky Lee, an award-winning Filipino writer, said in an interview at The Howie Severino Podcast in 2021:
“From the Korean food to the damit, to the etcetera, to the expressions, to the beliefs. They’re proud to be Koreans, and they are Koreans. Hindi sila nag-e-aim na maging ganito ako, maging ganito ako, maging Americans o maging ganito ako. Hindi. They’re all Koreans.”
Lee explains that Koreans put emphasis on their identity and background, incorporating them into their pop culture media.
5. Korean Dramas are almost always readily Accessible
Through various streaming platforms and sites, Filipinos can access Korean entertainment with just a tap. They also offer options in which we can watch their dramas with different subtitles or dubbing. Oftentimes, Filipino dramas can only be watched on television, having an extensive number of commercials throughout the episode too, which can be annoying to some.
Overall, Korean dramas are globally competitive forms of entertainment, yet they somehow remain rooted in their identity. Their creative approach to the media keeps Filipinos hooked and waiting for the next episode. Hopefully, Filipino media companies take inspiration from them and create more shows that are high quality and of course, uniquely ours.
