Pinoy Pride: Filipino Bands Who Made it in South Korea

Korean Pop Music as we know is extensively popular around the world thanks to its successful promotions and influences brought by Korean ido...

Korean Pop Music as we know is extensively popular around the world thanks to its successful promotions and influences brought by Korean idols who greatly contributed to the Hallyu Wave. While K-music is already well-known in South Korea, did you know that OPM and P-pop music made its way there too? In fact, several K-idols are even fans of some Filipino bands who made quite a name in their country.

If you’re curious about these Pinoy bands, then read more.

1. M.Y.M.P

Courtesy: musixmatch.com

MYMP was recognized multiple times in the Korean scene as several K-idols sang a cover of the band’s songs and renditions. Idols such as IU and Super Junior expressed their liking for MYMP’s rendition of Patti Austin’s “Say You Love Me”, where IU even made a cover of the song and also performed it live on Yu Huiyeol's Sketchbook in 2014 as well as during her Love, Poem tour in Manila in December 2019. With this, it paved the way for the band to be quite popular for some time in Korea. In 2016, MYMP, comprised of Chin Alcantara and Jana Laraza represented the Philippines at the 2016 Asia Song Festival along with a star-studded line up with K-idols such as EXO, Seventeen, Twice, Mamamoo, NCT 127, NCT Dream, and Simon Dominic. This was the band’s second time to perform in the said event since it was in 2013 when they first did it. In fact in the same year of their first performance for the event, L of the K-pop group INFINITE said in an interview with Korean magazine he wanted to have a collaboration with the duo of MYMP. 

M.Y.M.P. (or MYMP, short for Make Your Momma Proud) is an acoustic band from Quezon City, Philippines. They released their first album, Soulful Acoustic, in 2003 and a double album, Beyond Acoustic which was a number six charting album, and number two charting album Versions in 2005, the two albums was the best-selling album by an acoustic band having sold 210,700 copies. Jacques "Chin" Alcantara founded the band in 1996 as an amateur rock band. The band transitioned to pop music when they had a female vocalist, Nina in 2000. When she left for a solo career a year later, Juris from Davao took her place. Currently, MYMP’s new vocalist is Carmella Ravanilla.

2. Musimix

Courtesy: Jonathan Hicap

Musimix was a renowned Pinoy band based in Seoul, South Korea who performed every night at the famous Lotte World theme park at the Garden Stage anticipated by a mass of visitors both local and foreign for a fun music experience. According to the interview of Bulletin Entertainment in 2012, Musimix was formed in 2007 composed of band leader Batch Ramos, main vocalists Daisy Zapanta, Cesar Anonuevo and Jhun Lapaniete, lead guitarist Allan Co, keyboardist Larry Luanzon and bass guitarist Val Villanueva. The band was said to be founded in South Korea but the members came from different Filipino bands. Since then, the nightly gig at Lotte World has become one of the theme park's main highlights. Musimix's repertoire included hip-hop and rap, and 80 percent of the songs are Korean. Every night, they perform 10 to 12 songs to complete the 40-minute show.

3. Ben & Ben

Courtesy: onemusic.ph

In 2020, Ben&Ben trended at No.1 in the Melon charts in South Korea. Ben&Ben trended at #1 and #6 spot while their song titled “Leaves” are at #2, #3, and #7 trending spots. The band posted in their official Facebook page saying “This week, a lot of great kpop acts discovered our music. Here is Young K of DAY6 and Mark of NCT 127! thank you for appreciating “Leaves” we will listen to your music too!”. The band’s fame in South Korea was so surprising that even YG charts could not even explain how it was, “A Filipino Band Ben & Ben is currently trending #1 and also occupied the #2, #3, #6, and #7 position on Melon Real Time Search Chart -19:40 KST and I don’t know why,”

Courtesy: Ben&Ben Official Twitter

A year after they trended, Ben&Ben released the Official Music Video of Leaves featuring Young K, a rendition of their 2017 hit single. Prior to all these events, other famous Korean idols were caught by the folksy music style of Ben&Ben including Cha Eun Woo who sang ‘Kathang Isip’ during his fan meeting in October 2019, and Red Velvet’s Wendy awed at Ben&Ben’s “Beautiful” singing voice. In 2021, the band then released their new version of Leaves but this time, in Korean and lots of fans expressed their love and appreciation for the band.

Ben&Ben is A 9 member band from the Philippines formed in 2015. They are composed of twin brothers Miguel Benjamin and Paolo Benjamin on acoustic guitars and vocals, Poch Barretto on electric guitar, Keifer Cabugao on violin, Andrew De Pano and Toni Muñoz on percussion, Pat Lasaten on keyboards, Agnes Reoma on bass and Jam Villanueva on drums.

This article is written by Cathrine Grace S. Alcachupas, a Digital Marketing Department Intern of PS Media Enterprise and an AB Communication student in De La Salle University-Dasmarinas.