From binge-watching K-dramas and streaming K-pop music videos to eating in samgyupsal restaurants and purchasing Korean beauty products, the love and appreciation that Filipinos have for Korean culture is evident in their everyday lifestyles.
Along with Korea’s booming entertainment scene, the Philippines also boasts a rich industry with talented people and creative minds. As a result, there has been a wave of collaborations between Filipinos and Koreans in cinema and television. It’s a real delight for audiences who are enthusiasts of both cultures!
Here are some Filipino-Korean movies and series that you should check out:
“Secret Ingredient” (2024)
Released last April, “Secret Ingredient” is a cross-cultural romance dramedy series starring Filipino celebrity Julia Barretto, Korean actor Lee Sang Heon, and Indonesian star Nicholas Saputra. It is presented by Viu in partnership with Unilever Southeast Asia.
The series is about chefs Maya, Ha Joon, and Arif who journey through life as they reach for their dreams and encounter love while striving to perfect their culinary skills. Showcasing the food and culture of different countries, the series has 6 episodes that tackle the diverse flavors of love.
“Big Bet” (2022)
Set and filmed in the Philippines, “Big Bet” is an action and crime K-drama starring Choi Min Shik, Son Suk Ku, Lee Dong Hwi, Heo Sung Tae, and Kim Joo Ryoung. It features Filipino actor Nico Antonio as a police officer who partners with Son in the series. Other Pinoy stars like Ronnie Lazaro, Bembol Roco, Epy Quizon, Jeffrey Santos, Art Acuña, and more also made appearances.
The K-drama is about a legendary casino king staying in the Philippines who gets involved in a murder case and ends up being investigated by both Korean and Filipino authorities. The cast filmed the series in Olongapo, Philippines for about 3 months.
“Ultimate Oppa” (2022)
Released in 2022, “Ultimate Oppa” is a rom-com movie starring Bela Padilla, Kim Gun Woo, Cho Tae Gwan, Baek Soo Min, Kat Galang, and Janeena Chan. It is a co-production between the Philippines’ Viva Films and Reality Entertainment, as well as Korea’s Creative Leaders Group Eight.
The film is about Filipino fan Yana (portrayed by Padilla), who thinks of Korean actor Moon Shi Woo (played by Cho) as the perfect man. For an exclusive fan event, Yana gets the chance to go to Korea and join international fans to meet the star but ends up falling in love with Jay, the actor’s manager, in the process.
“The Guardian” (2024)
An upcoming film that is a collaboration between the Philippines and Korea, “The Guardian” is an action-thriller movie starring INFINITE member Nam Woo Hyun, Park Eun Hye, Han Jae Seok, Yassi Pressman, Eric Ejercito, Jeric Raval, Joko Diaz, and more. It was entirely shot in the Philippines and is set to be released in theaters worldwide this year.
The film is about Park Do Jun (played by Nam), an aspiring national taekwondo player who abandons his dreams to save his mother from her gambling addiction. Do Jun becomes friends with aspiring K-Pop star Sandara and Coco (portrayed by Pressman and Ejercito), when he learns that a gang leader who runs a criminal organization in the Philippines has kidnapped his mom.
“You With Me” (2017)
Released in 2017, “You With Me” is a romantic Filipino-Korean movie starring former Pinoy Big Brother housemate Devon Seron, Kim Hyun Woo, Jin Ju Hyung, Tonton Gutierrez, Assunta de Rossi, and Jon Lucas.
The film is about Kim (portrayed by Seron), a young woman with wealthy, overprotective parents who becomes an online English teacher and meets Jayson (played by Hyun Woo), a Korean businessman. Wanting to get out of her comfort zone, Kim goes to Seoul, Korea, in hopes of starting a new life. There, she gets involved in a love triangle with her student, Jayson, and his assistant.
“Yung Libro Sa Napanood Ko” (2023)
An entry to the Summer Metro Manila Film Festival 2023, “Yung Libro Sa Napanood Ko” was written and directed by Bela Padilla. It is a romance/drama movie starring Padilla, Yoo Min Gon, Lorna Tolentino, Boboy Garovillo, and Hasna Cabral. It is inspired by the K-drama “Because This Is My First Life” and the book mentioned in the series, with most of its scenes set in Korea.
The film is about K-drama fan and author Lisa (played by Padilla) who encounters her Korean fan Gun Hoo (portrayed by Yoo) at a book signing. He invites her to tour around Korea, and they fall in love during the trip. However, Lisa loses her memories but gets the chance to reunite with Gun Hoo.
These Filipino-Korean collaborations pave the way for more possibilities and better opportunities in the entertainment industry, where the two vibrant cultures can come together and give new experiences that are truly impactful and resonate with larger audiences.
