The Korean Wave Invades the Philippines and Southeast Asia
GraySpirit | Aug 28, 2009 | Comments 14
Popular South Korean actress Koo Hye-Sun from Boys Over Flowers
One of the fascinating aspects about living in Cebu City is being able to observe the influence that South Korea has on the Philippines. Dubbed the “Korean Wave” by some, it refers to the huge in migration of Korean investments, immigrants, and culture into the Philippines and throughout much of Southeast Asia.
The Korean Wave: Foreign Investment
The Korean Wave takes many forms. On one level it refers to the huge amount of foreign investment that South Korea has made in the Philippines. South Korea is now the largest source of foreign investment in the country with the United States and Japan following behind.
This translates to about $1.2 billion dollars flowing into the country out of a total amount of $3.5 billion in foreign investment. Korea’s Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Company has been a billion dollar investor in shipyard building which will result in the Philippines becoming a major ship builder in Asia. Hanjin has shipbuilding facilities already in production at Subic and has been going through on and off again planning of another shipyard in Cagayan de Oro.
It is not uncommon to see new subdivisions springing up in areas like this which are targeting a more affluent Korean worker.
The Korean Wave: Immigration
Although large industries like Hanjin result in Koreans working in the Philippines, there are also a large number of Koreans immigrating to the Philippines to work and live. It is estimated that there are well over 100,000 Koreans currently living in the Philippines. Many have come here to take advantage of the warmer weather and the lower cost of living.
Korea Town in Makati in Metro Manila
It seems that in most of the major cities in the Philippines, one will find little “Korea Towns” springing up with their own stores, restaurants, churches, and entertainment centers that target a Korean clientele. These seem to represent a more working class population of immigrants who are working in the local economy to make a living, rather than being an employee of a major Korean multinational corporation like Hanjin.
The Korean Wave: Education
Another major factor attracting immigrants from Korea is education. Because of its widespread use of English, many Koreans have come to the Philippines to learn English as a Second Language.
Cebu City seems to be a popular destination for students and there are many ESL schools actively recruiting Koreans for English language training. Students are of all ages and one can run into busloads of Korean children touring some of Cebu City’s historic sites on occasion. Government statistics indicate that there are nearly 800 English Language Centers across the Philippines today.
The Korean Wave: Tourism
The lower cost of living in the Philippines combined with its warm climate, sparkling beaches, and nightlife also brings in a large number of tourists into the Philippines. One estimate has nearly 65% of all the tourists visiting Boracay as being South Koreans. Boracay is well known as the major tourist destination in the Philippines.
Korean restaurant in Asiatown IT Park in Cebu City
In 2006, nearly 2.8 million tourists visited the Philippines. South Koreans represented the largest group of tourists arriving accounting for nearly 20% of the incoming tourists – outnumbering tourists from the United States and Japan.
The Korean Wave: Overseas Foreign Workers
Today, nearly 10% of the Filipino population works overseas and contributes to a significant portion of the country’s annual income. Estimates place about 36,000 (both legal and undocumented) Filipinos in South Korea.
Over time, these two way types of exchanges result in the narrowing of gaps between cultures. It is not uncommon to meet Filipinos today who have a relative married to a South Korean or working abroad in South Korea.
The Korean Wave: Entertainment
Nowhere is the South Korean invasion so evident as in the field of entertainment. Whether one is riding in a taxi, watching a popular soap opera, or singing at a karaoke club is the influence of the South Korea Wave so apparent.
Korean pop culture seems to have caught on in the Philippines in a very big way. A popular television soap series currently in the country is “Boys Over Flowers” – a Korean adaptation of a popular Japanese series.
Korean pop groups like 2NE1 and the Wonder Girls are extremely hot among the younger generation and play frequently on the Filipino version of MTV, radios, and nightclubs. The Wonder Girls “Nobody” hit song (YouTube video above) seems to be playing everywhere.
The Korean Wave: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Without doubt the Korean Wave has infused a considerable sum of money into the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations that create jobs for locals. On the other hand there are concerns by some about the “Korean invasion” and its influence on Filipino culture.
Whatever one’s opinion is, it’s a reality and by-product of globalization today. What is fascinating from a sociological and economic point of view is that there is a huge market emerging in Southeast Asia that is being targeted by the more developed Asian nations like South Korea and Japan. And increasingly, the role of the United States seems to be slowly diminishing in this emerging market.
(photos by: unknown, Grayspirit, Grayspirit. video by YouTube)
Popularity: 52% [?]
Filed Under: Major News
My cousin lived in the Philippines for a couple of years and I think he would be sad if the culture was changed from how it was when he was there. He had nothing but good to say about the people and the way things were in the Philippines. Though if I remember correctly he did have words to say about there being multiple languages in the Philippines. I would tell you what he said but it was in one of the languages from there and I do not speak any of it.
Rhett Out
Yes, a lot of dialects are spoken here, but I manage to get by on English with a little Tagalog or Visayan thrown in. I also have mixed thoughts about the Korean wave, but find myself watching at least one of the Korean telenovellas and can karaoke to some of the popular Korean pop songs here as well. Think I’ve been hit by the wave as well.
I’ve met a lot of Koreans in Pinas and I have lots of friends too teaching english to Korean youngsters there. I think its really more of the english language which they could learn at lower cost, and I’d agree – the warmer climate and lower cost of living.
i think the Korean wave is just about everywhere. I got hooked on Korean dramas and music when I was still in the Philippines and I thought I would be weaned once I live in Phnom Penh but geez I didn’t realize it was much worse here.
All channels running Korean, Taiwanese dramas, majority of the boutiques around town are selling Korean style clothing, teenagers wearing Korean style and countless pirated Korean movies/series in cd stores everywhere.
hi cambodia culture… Correct… when I was here in Pinas, I was like, what’s so good about Koreanovelas… Then when i was in Phnom Penh, I was like, WHAt??? Aside from the traditional singing in some TV stations, woah, there goes the Koreanovelas (FullHouse) in major TV stations , too… well, not to mention a Filipino drama that was shown lunch time and my neighbors that time where hooked to it as well….( Vietnam showed it as well)… my golly… so coming back to the Philippines, I bought FullHouse ( I saw part of it before going to PP), watched it, twas good! am hooked!!! ha ha ha..
LOL … yeah the telenovelas can be very addictive!
Hehe … it’s not so bad. I like kimchi and kalbi. Kamsahamnida for visiting.
I guess its like first Americans, then Japanese and now Korean. These countries have strong cultures and of course very good marketing skills. I wonder which country will be next to be the mega influence.
I think they are a few years away yet, but I’d put my pesos on China. There was some very good music there but not being marketed like the Koreans do.
Excellent posting. Speaking of Korean tourists, The newly opened 5 star Bellarocca Resort and Spa in Marinduque is mostly occupied by either Korean or Japanese tourists. A handful of rich and famous PINOYS have also visited the resort since it opening last year. Happy blogging! David B
When you talk of ‘Korea’ I assume it is South ‘Korea’ that you are referring to?
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), is unlikely to allow it;s people to leave and live and work in the Philippines.
Korea (assumed ‘South’) is prospering . It’s Car and increasingly now it Motorcycle industry is gaining a reputation for quality and reliability at excellent ‘value for money’ prices.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_industry_in_South_Korea
The South Korean automobile industry is today the fifth largest in the world in terms of production volume and the sixth largest in terms of export volume. 50 years ago, its initial operations were merely the assembling of parts imported from Japan and the United States. The Hyundai Kia Automotive Group is today the second largest automaker in Asia, after Toyota. Annual domestic output exceeded one million units in 1988. In the 1990s, the industry manufactured numerous in-house models, demonstrating not only its capabilities, and signaling its coming of age thanks to the heavy investment to infrastructure in the country over the decades. The quality of their automobiles has improved dramatically in recent years, gaining international recognition. Hyundai has been named the 2009 North American car of the year.
I bought a Hyundai 1.5 CRDi VGT ‘Matrix’ for Php70,000.00 over 4 years ago. The Variable Geometry Turbo Diesel engine of 1500cc is fantastic. 120bhp (same as 2.5l ‘Crosswind’ Turbo diesel) and delivers about 16km/liter on average – better (18Km/l or more, on longer urban journeys). Now with 5 Year Warranty also, which is an indication of improved quality and reliability. OK so the ‘resale’ value is not as high as say a ‘Toyota’, but thios means low mileage 3nd hand versions are a bargain.
My only regret is lack of ground clearance on the ‘Matrix’.
I will keep the ‘Matrix’ for another 2 years, to get more value from the car. Then trade for a low mileage KIA ‘Sportage’ of about 3 years old (so still has 2 years left on the warranty).
There are some good things about S.Korea!
Yes, I agree Korea has come a long way with regard to cars. I still remember when Hyundai’s (like Hondas a decade earlier) were to be laughed at. Hmmm … maybe China will be next to step up.
Your blogpost about Koreans in the Philippines is very interesting. We also have a sizable Korean community here in Canada, in particular certain areas like Coquitlam, Canada. One of my favorite Korean restaurant is Shabusen, which serves great Korean food adventure (I call it adventure) because they have a barbeque pit in every individual table, and we get to bbq our own meat. Very exciting.
Hmmm … you are making me hungry for kalbi, bbq chicken and mandoo. Yeah, those restos with the bbq pit are great fun for the family.
I love to see your post! especially with sights that can be considered elegant, comfortable and attractive to visit …!!! thanks for sharing