ROTARY CLUB OF MANILA JOURNALISM AWARDS
2006 National Newspaper of the Year 2011 National Newspaper of the Year 2013 Business Newspaper of the Year 2017 Business Newspaper of the Year 2019 Business Newspaper of the Year 2021 Pro Patria Award PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY 2018 Data Champion
BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business
www.businessmirror.com.ph
n
SEOUL
The global success of the Korean entertainment industry is not just a result of the huge government support for it. The ingenuity and creative vision of the Hallyu proponents must be studied closely for their lessons on how a nation can seamlessly weave together its economic goals via tourism with its culture, heritage and entertainment.
Sunday, May 4, 2025 Vol. 20 No. 203
EJAP JOURNALISM AWARDS
BUSINESS NEWS SOURCE OF THE YEAR
(2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
2018 BANTOG MEDIA AWARDS
P25.00 nationwide | 2 sections 12 pages | 7 DAYS A WEEK
A journey to the heart of K-drama and entertainment
THE Gyeongbokgung Palace which was built in 1395 has become a symbol of pre-modern Korea. JOEL C. PAREDES
A COMMON scene near historical sites is seeing both locals and visitors wearing the traditional hanbok. JOEL C. PAREDES
T
FOR tourists seeking authentic Korean cuisine, the public market remains the best place to find it. JOEL C. PAREDES
THE subway station in Myeondong with images of famous Korean actors. JOEL C. PAREDES
By Joel C. Paredes
HANKS to the global popularity of K-pop and K-dramas, Seoul has become a coveted destination for fans of all ages eager to experience the locations where they’ve seen their favorite stars on screen. South Korea’s capital has witnessed a surge in foreign visitors, including Filipino tourists, who now feel a strong connection to the glamor of Korean culture and cuisine. In the Philippines, although “everything K” had already been gaining traction for some time, the lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic significantly broadened its popularity across all social classes, extending beyond just household help and the younger generation. Many consider the late 1990s as the beginning of a “cultural diffusion” when the 1997 Asian financial crisis and military censorship over South Korean entertainment came to an end. This allowed South Korea to become a major exporter of popular culture, particularly into neighboring countries like Japan and China.
Such artistic excellence of Korean culture, however, didn’t develop overnight. The Korean Cultural Center in New York cites the original sensitivity of its people reflected in the diverse artifacts and tomb murals of the Three Kingdoms, Seo Unified Silla, Goryeo, and Joseon periods. This sensitivity reportedly deepened as the country progressed through the popular Korean dramas. For instance, riding on the popularity of period dramas, it is now common to see locals and visitors wearing traditional hanboks as they roam around historical sites, including Gyeongbokgung— the first royal palace of the Josen dynasty established in 1395, inspired by what they’ve seen in their popular TV drama series. Clothing rental shops have mushroomed all over the city, offering these colorful outfits for rent, ranging from an hour up to a full day.
CHEONNGGYECHEON Stream that runs through downtown Seoul has been featured in several popular K-dramas. JOEL C. PAREDES
For an ideal stay in Seoul, I didn’t look any further than Myeongdong district, renowned as a bustling hub for shopping and delicious Korean cuisine in capturing Seoul’s modern urban life and romantic settings. I admit that I nearly lost my way returning to the hotel, utterly mesmerized by the seemingly identical structures along Myeongdong’s well-paved roads, which felt straight out of countless “romcoms,” or romantic comedies. A common denominator for most visitors is their desire to catch a glimpse of the places they found memorable after watching their favorite K-dramas.
Fortunately, these filming locations are spread throughout Seoul, allowing tourists to explore different parts of the city. On busy days, hundreds of fans scramble to take the subway—the most efficient way to reach their destinations—since hailing a cab can be difficult, especially when competing with locals for rides.
Living the K-drama
MEANWHILE, the cherry blossom flowers are now thinning, indicating that the highly sought-after Sakura trees that lined the streets and public parks around the city are nearing the end of their bloom
JUST like in K-dramas, Korean streetfood is enjoyed by people from all walks of life. JOEL C. PAREDES
in spring and preparing to fade as summer approaches. Cherry blossoms are indeed a common and beautiful backdrop in many Korean dramas, often associated with romance, spring, and fleeting beauty. The rain also often adds a special something to these scenic views, particularly when the weather is cool and rainy. It’s as if the borders between screen and reality blur, and they’re no longer just watching, but living the K-drama. Consider the experience of Hans Oliver, whose first time in Seoul felt surreal. He and his for-
mer high-school classmates in Manila decided to tour the city for their mini-reunion. He admits that Seoul was their choice simply because they were interested in visiting what they had seen on TV—the long-running K-dramas and K-pop superstars, whose global popularity can be compared to that of the Beatles during the early years of their fame in the Sixties. However, some said they decided to join the tour to try “authentic” samgyeopsal, the Korean-style pork barbecue which has in recent years Continued on A2
PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 55.9330 n JAPAN 0.3851 n UK 74.2846 n HK 7.2108 n CHINA 7.6921 n SINGAPORE 42.6677 n AUSTRALIA 35.6964 n EU 63.1484 n KOREA 0.0390 n SAUDI ARABIA 14.9143 Source: BSP (May 2, 2025)