The Splash of Korean Wave to
Filipino Learners
To stay motivated not to get tired in the midst of a pandemic is a hard battle. However, as you listen to BTS …
'Cause I-I-I'm in the stars tonight
So watch me bring the fire and set the night alight (hey)
Shining through the city with a little funk and soul
So I'm a light it up like dynamite, whoa oh oh
Gokjonghajima (Don’t worry.) – it seems that we are in the dark yet everything seems fine up to this time! Right? You’re still breathing and you’ve been surviving this distressing situation. The impact of COVID-19 on the economy and society is really crushing. Many have lost their jobs, schools have been closed and education has been moved to online learning or distance modular learning to ensure the safety of everyone.
During the first quarter of the lockdown, students who are used to going to school on foot, meeting friends every day, and dealing with their lessons enthusiastically in school got worried. One day, while browsing Facebook and IG pages, many students keep posting about K-pop, K-dramas, and K-food and how these have swept their feelings to appreciate K-culture especially this time. This only shows that the rise of the Korean wave in the Philippines even this devastating time has never stopped.
Korean wave or Hallyu has a great influence on Pinoy learners since it has started to hit Asia and even in the West. K-pop groups like BTS, EXO, Seventeen, BlackPink, Twice, and many more K-pop idols are becoming popular not only because of their physique and talents but also their attitude and stories in life. Same through with the K-dramas that keep making the viewers mesmerized, cry, laugh, and inspired because of their storylines and plot twists. Here are some words from some Pinoy learners:
“K-pop idols like Exo give me the motivation to step forward and reach my dreams,” Clarence said, a K-pop fan who keeps her bias doll with her during exams for inspiration.
“The dance and choreographies of the K-pop idols helped me reduce my weight especially this time of the pandemic,” Jericson, a Grade 9 student from the Philippines, said.
Carla, a college student added, “Even back then, when there was still no pandemic at all, the Korean wave has really helped me and saved me a lot of times. They made me happy when I was sad and they were there for me when I was alone. And now that we are in this time of the pandemic, they became part of my daily life- and that helped me to survive this.”
South Korea has also influenced Pinoy fans with Korean food like ramyeon, tteokboki, kimbap, samgyeupsal, and lots more. These fans who love Korea so much have rippled the effect of Hallyu and K-culture on their other friends and families.
And just like the wish and hopes of many, hopefully, the cure for the COVID-19 will be discovered soon so that we can resume traveling out of the country especially to South Korea to see the astonishing beauty of the Land of the Morning Calm. My learners can’t wait to have a picture with the famous N-Seoul Tower in the background; eat the famous street food and feel the vibrant ambiance of Myeongdong; attend K-pop concerts and entertainment buildings like JYP, SMTown, and YG; visit the shooting places of famous K-dramas like Goblin, CLOY, W, Start-Up, Love Alarm, True Beauty and many more; to be amazed by the natural beauty of Nami Island, feel the adventure at Everland; see the beauty of Jeju Island, and of course to be able to meet Korean friends and families and make good memories with them.
Gamsahabnida!
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| Sources: Catherine, Clarence and Carla. My students are influenced by K-culture especially K-pop. |
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