INFLUENCE OF KOREAN CULTURE IN OUR COUNTRY

Chapter 1
The Problem and its Background
Introduction
This chapter is consist of the introduction, state of the problem, conceptual framework,
the signifance of the study, the scape and delimitation of the study, and definition of terms

It has become evident in the past years that K-Pop, Korean dramas, products, cosmetics,
and food are slowly taking over the Filipino scene. Since 2003, different genres of Korean drama
have been airing in the Philippines.

K-Pop started to reach its popularity in the Philippines when Korean boy group Super Junior
made a remarkable Gold Record in the Philippines. Korean hit songs such as “Nobody” and
“Gangnam Style” were even used as election campaign songs. Such is the influence of Hallyu or
the Korean Wave that has washed over the shores of the Philippines.

The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) has greatly contributed to the spread of
Korean culture in the country. Since its establishment in 2011, the KCC has been providing a
diverse range of programs that help expand Filipino awareness of Korean culture. It offers
classes in the Korean language and genres such as buchaechum or traditional dance, K-Pop
dance, singing, taekwondo, hansik or Korean cooking, mooninhwa, minhwa, and musicals.
As the information hub of Korean culture in the country, the KCC also houses a library with
more than 6,000 media and book titles that include Korean literature, films, and TV series. To
widen the reach of its audience, Korean Culture Caravans were organized in different
universities and institutions for the purpose of immersing the students in Korean culture.
The contemporary and interactive artworks of Korean artists were showcased by the “Eternal
Light” exhibit in February 2017 and the “Moving Korea” exhibit in June 2017. Last September
2017, the Korean Film Festival, one of the largest celebrations of Korean cinema in the
Philippines, officially kicked off in Manila and will run until October 15, 2017.

Because of the growing popularity of K-Pop and K-Drama in mainstream Filipino culture, more
and more Filipinos are joining events such as the Korean Speech Contest, Pinoy K-Pop Star, and
Global Taste of Korea. The Filipino-Korean Cultural Exchange Festival, the latest of which was
held last month, showcases not only Filipinos performing in Korean, but also Koreans
performing in Filipino.

One of this year’s most prominent developments in this cultural exchange was the signing of a
Memorandum of Understanding last June 21, 2017 between the Korean Embassy and the Depart-
ment of Education. The MOA will allow DepEd to teach the Korean language in public high
schools through its Special Program in Foreign Language.

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Filipinos who learn the Korean language will eventually and inevitably acquire a better
understanding of Korean culture through the various avenues in which it is introduced to the
Philippines. To some extent, their knowledge of the Korean language will open up more
employment opportunities for those who dream of working in Korea. This, in turn, will allow
them to appreciate Korean culture, the way that many Koreans who reside or visit the Philippines
have learned to value and embrace Filipino culture.

With projects and cultural partnership continuously lined up for Filipinos, Korean culture is
undoubtedly leaving its mark in the country. A stronger and healthier cultural diplomacy will be
constantly pursued by creating more opportunities that will expand cultural exchanges and
linkages across the nation.

Conceptual Framework
This study made us of the Input Process Output. Model as shown in Figure 1.

The Input Process Output Method. In the IPO model, a process was viewed as a series of
boxes (processing elements) connected Input and Outputs. Information or material object flow
through a series tasks or activities based on a set of rules or decision points (Harris & Taylor),
what goes in the input; what cause the change was the process, what comes out was the output.

Input Process Output

Influence of Korean Gathered Data from Identified the aspect
Culture in our country. Grade 10 students that mostly influence
through Survey & the Korean Culture.
Questionnaires.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to identify the Most Aspect Korean Culture Influences in our Country
answered by chosen PHS Students specifically, it seeks to answer the following question.
1. What are influences of Korean culture in our Country?

2. Which aspects do Koreans mostly influences?

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Possible Choices
a. Korean Foods
b. Korean Trends
c. Korean Fashion
d. Korean Music

Korean Foods - Kimchi, the national dish of Korea, exemplifies this healthy practice. The
combination of fermented vegetables like napa cabbage, radish, scallion, and cucumber, with
some red chili, creates a unique dish that is not only tasty but also healthy in that it aids in
digestion. Beef bulgogi (Samgyeopsal) is also very popular, both in Korea and in the Philippines.
This is not surprising at all, because grilled marinated beef really tastes good.

Korean Trends - 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.

Korean Fashion - 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.

Korean Music - Filipinos (especially the young ones) are affected by the growing K-pop
culture. Today, after the success of H.O.T., Super Junior, Big Bang, and even Psy (whose
phenomenal Gangnam Style video has been viewed over 3 billion times on YouTube), BTS is
taking on the world by smashing every US record for a K-pop band. Nowadays, the girl group
Momoland is also marking the K-pop landscape with their catchy Bboom Bboom, whose dance
challenge has become viral in the Philippines.

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Many people, especially in the Philippines, are big fans of K-dramas and K-pop. Despite not
understanding the lyrics, many can still sing along with K-pop songs and claim these are among
their favorites.

Filipinos have apparently caught the Korean pop culture fever that it is now just common to see
people flashing the Korean finger heart.

In an exclusive interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) over the weekend, Korean
Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) Director Lee Jincheol said what is distinct about
Korean culture is its candidness, which can be seen in K-dramas.

He emphasized that K-dramas do not just feature the region or tourist attractions.

"They (K-dramas) don't exaggerate. They are not exclusive or patriotic," he remarked.

Lee said K-dramas always deal with the everyday lives of ordinary people, so the viewers could
relate.

With regards to K-pop, Lee said this is very hard to define, since "it is a collection of other
cultures."

What makes K-pop unique, as for Lee, is its non-exclusiveness, since it embraces other culture.
"There is open-mindedness," he said.

"(K-pop) songs reflect the agonies, the scar, the concerns of other people," he pointed out. "(K-
pop singers) need to be very brave to describe these (factors) and put these in their songs."

Lee surmised this could be the reason many people could relate to K-pop.

Lee admitted that he's a huge fan of BTS, (a.k.a. Bangtan Boys), a South Korean boy band. "I'm
a fan, even if I'm their father's age already," he said. The director also candidly admitted that he
sometimes does not understand the lyrics of K-pop songs, since these are usually fast.

Cultural exchanges

Meanwhile, Lee said that 2019 will be a mutual exchange year between the Philippines and
Korea.

KCC is preparing for various cultural exchange activities. There will be workshops,
performances, and a Korean actor will visit. Lee, however, said, he could not disclose the name
of the actor yet.

"It's very important to showcase both (the Filipino and Korean) cultures. We are very proud of
our culture," he said.

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Every year, KCC holds the Philippines-Korea Cultural Festival in Manila, and conducts the
Korean cultural caravan in selected schools that hold Korean classes and those that offer Korean
language classes.

This caravan aims to inspire Filipinos, while also encouraging them to love their own.

Lee told the PNA he is considering bringing the Korean Culture Caravan also to government
offices, such as the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Immigration, and others.

Public transportation was another thing foreigners love about living and traveling in Korea: The
urban subway systems, as well as the bus and train networks across the provinces, are cheap,
well-run, and easy to use.

Food was the only thing mentioned on every single list, and rightfully so. Ssamgyupsal,
makkeolli, triangle kimbap and bibimbap were among the foods getting special mentions. The
experience of sharing food in the Korean style, the price, portion, flavor, health and simplicity
were other things we foreigners loved about Korean food.

Beautiful women, everywhere you look, ranked next on the list, possibly because many of the
respondents were male. For both genders, one of my first impressions of Seoul was surprise at
how well everyone took care of their appearance.

Jimjilbang and sauna - cheap, amazingly relaxing, loaded with a day`s worth of easygoing
activities. Jimjilbang and public bath houses were deeply appreciated by expats in Korea.

People there are surprising, unexpected encounters, their energy, their attitude, their
relationships, their variety and the sheer number of people in Korea keep the country interesting
and fun.

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References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_South_Korea

https://www.quora.com/Why-are-so-many-people-obsessed-with-Korean-culture-these-days-K-pop-K-
drama-feminine-Asian-men-even-learning-the-language-Where-is-this-coming-from-exactly-Because-
the-culture-is-rich-is-not-the-kind-of-answers-Im

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1054208

https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2018/07/26/1836765/koreanovela-and-k-pop-loved-philippines

https://studymoose.com/how-influential-k-pop-is-to-filipino-teenagers-essay

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/109439/filipinos-attracted-to-korean-culture-k-pop-koreanovelas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP4IwPi--bA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko1bqasNDls

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