Why are Filipinos so Head-Over-Heels with Everything Korean?

Since ‘Meteor Garden’ invaded our television screens, a slew of Asian dramas followed suit. And it didn’t take long before Korean dramas hit it big in the Philippines.

Filipinos fell in love with dramas from Korea, and one Korean TV series came after the other. Ultimately, Filipinos became more curious about Korean culture., and now we are officially hit by a phenomenon referred to as the ‘Korean Wave.’

From dramas, food, clothes and accessories – really everything Korean – can be found almost everywhere in the Philippines these days. Malls, online shops, “tiangges” (local haggling shops) and bazaars are stocking up for the demand of this ‘culture infusion.’

I admit I am big Korean fan. I love their food, I super admire their fashion and I watch Korean dramas like crazy. The question is why? Why have many Filipinos embraced the Korean fashion? Why do we so love to watch Korean dramas?

Truth of the matter is, while it is hard to speak for everyone, in my point of view, the reason why many Filipinos fell for the Korean Wave is mainly because of the fact that it is what’s HOT right now. I don’t mean to offend anyone, but with regards to fashion, we are really falling behind. And that’s why when Korean fashion was introduced in the Philippines, thanks to the dramas which played a big role in showcasing how Koreans dress. These aesthetics piqued the interest of fashion-savvy Filipinos.

Personally, what I like about Korean fashion is that it offers a good mix of colors and a wide variety of clothing styles. Compared to the monotonous colors that most Filipinos wear, Korean styles are more lively and pleasing to the eye. In addition, they have an edgier feel to them, not to mention that when appropriately mixed and match, you can turn a simple t-shirt and short ensemble into something more elegant looking by simply putting on a pretty blazer. The great thing about Koreans is that they are not afraid to experiment when it comes to the clothes they wear. And today, we are slowly adapting.

As for the growing addiction of many Filipinos to Korean dramas, one reason for this is maybe because the story is not dragged too long. Before the Asian invasion, Filipino ‘teleseryes’ are showed on screen for years. One thing I don’t like about Filipino soaps is that they introduce too many characters along the way to the point that you wouldn’t even remember who were the original cast. That’s perhaps what made us fall in love with Korean dramas. They are simple, straight to the point and usually have a very limited run, normally around 18-24 episodes the most.

Another reason why Filipinos are so addicted to Korean dramas is because the story is intelligently manipulated hence keeping the viewers asking for more. Also, the back story of each character slowly unveils in each episode and most of the time you will see a twist coming. So basically the charm of Korean dramas lies in their storyline and unforeseen highlights. Although Korean dramas are not known for happy endings, Korean directors offer a more realistic conclusion to the story; yet another reason why I don’t get tired of watching Korean dramas.

However, if you thought that Filipinos are the only one who fell in love with everything Korean, then you should think again. A growing number of Koreans have visited the Philippines, either for pure pleasure, or to study English. Because of this, more Korean products have entered the country with more of them coming in. So I guess, both countries are benefiting from this. And for how long this phenomenon will last that I can’t say. But one thing is for sure, Korea has definitely earned a spot not just in the world of fashion and television, but also in the hearts of many Filipinos.

 

Photo Credits: Feature Pic | http://www.gokpop.com/

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