Everytime a Korean act or K-pop concert will happen in the Philippines, or Korean actor and actress will have a fan meeting, or Korean singer or band will release a new single, it will gonna hit and make a big impact in the Philippines — sold out tickets in less than 24 hours or Philippines will be included to top of the highest hits on itunes. And what about K-drama and Korean movies? Let me share you some of the reasons why Filipinos love Korean Hallyu or Korean culture.

Filipinos are great lover of music.

Filipinos love music and our parents encouraged us to believe that if newborn babies will cry, newborn Filipino babies will gonna sing. It’s a classic joke but seriously, our love of music makes us easily connect with Korean music. We can sing-along with the artist during the concert, we can do some “aegyo” or speaking and singing in baby’s voice or cute display of affection, dance-along or make a cover with some of the hit Korean songs. We can do anything and everything because we love music and we love Korean music.

Filipinos love novelas and dramas.

It all started with tele-novelas or television dramas originally in Spanish dubbed in Tagalog. Then it follows the generation of Chi-novelas or Chinese and Taiwan dramas also dubbed in Tagalog. But when Korean dramas were introduced, it becomes an epic that all ages and all genders watched it even just relying on subtitles. I also see some colleagues who cannot control their inner selves to watch K-dramas and how they finished the 16 episode in just 3 days and the rest are what you called, K-drama marathon or binge-watching till midnight! When I asked some Filipinos about their reason of watching K-dramas, it’s because the ending of each stories is not the typical story that they used to watched and with the mix of cuteness, perfect filming location and season, fast paced story telling and each story captures Filipino’s heart and daily lives which makes it the reason why Filipinos love Korean dramas.

Filipinos love beauty products.

If foreigners loved our sunkissed skin, some (or more) Filipinos would like to achieve the white, fair and smooth complexion. Most products that we can trust are Korean brand and there comes the word “pasabuy” or everytime a Filipino friend will travel, some friends will request to buy a specific product which is cheaper in Korea compared to the prices in local market. But with the increasing number of Korean stores and supermarket in the country, we’re able to buy our favorite Korean products both online and physical store.

Filipinos love to experience other Season aside from Summer

Philippines is a trophical country and we only have Summer season all year round. But now that we love travelling and want to experience Cherry Blossom in Spring, snow-sled and Winter Sonata feels or other new filming location or experience hiking during Fall or Autumn temperature, more and more Filipinos are now stepping out of the box and consider travelling as their new found hobby. And now that some country has relax visa requirements to Filipinos especially Korean visa and because of the Korea-Philippines friendship for over 70 years, Korea is trusting more and more Filipinos by giving a reward vacation and the opportunity for Filipinos to enjoy and explore the beauty of Korea.

Filipinos love mukbang

Samgyupsal? Chapchae? Pat Bingsu? Kimchi? Due to the increasing popularity of K-dramas and Korean reality shows in the country and with the continous growing of affordable, unlimited and eat-all-you-can Korean restaurants in almost every corner, how can we resist the temptation of authentic Korean foods which passed the standards of every Filipino household.

Filipinos are forever “young at heart” generation

It is true that our population is getting bigger and bigger but according to 2019 report, the Philippine population has the largest percentage of young generation and for about 28 percent of the total population, it covers the age between 10 to 24. And both young generation and “young at heart” Filipino fans may cover a big percentage of attending K-pop concerts, conducting an activity or tribute for their idols and maybe the biggest influencer and supporter in all social media platforms.

These are some of the reasons behind the fondness of Filipinos to Korean Hallyu. But did we also notice that Korea also love Filipinos? Just this year when Philippine’s smallest but one of the world’s dangerous Taal Volcano has erupted in January 2020, they sent $ 200,000 worth of relief operations and last April 2020, they also provided humanitarian assistance and donated worth $ 500,000 which consist of a total of 35,000 COVID- 19 test kits. And last May 22, 2020, Korean government also honored the Filipino Veterans during Korean War and help the elderly veterans. They donated and handed over 50,000 mask last May 2020 and with the continuous friendship, love and support of Filipinos and Korean, we can be able to join hands together and overcome together any crisis that arise in this world.

[My article “Six Reasons Why Filipinos Love Korean Culture” has been officially published and also available at Talk Talk Korea website dated May 21, 2020].

For any request and interest, please send your thoughts at MyTravelDiaries101@gmail.com.

Have you ever missed Seoul? Are you excited to plan your next trip again once everything back to normal? Thinking of going back to Korea always makes our heart flutters and jump in full swing, isn’t it? And what more will you feel if you’ll travel far away from Seoul with a new itineraries and exciting destination that offers an unforgettable experience in one of the province of Korea? Let me take you to seven good spots and my special trip in the Province of Jeolla. 

From Incheon Airport to Jeolla Province will roughly take about 3.5 hours by bus depending on your chosen city. Bus from Incheon Airport to Gwangju Bus Terminal is recommendable, but you can also take KTX train from Seoul to Gwangju-Songjeong Station which is more faster and will just take about 2 hours and you can be able to spend a relaxing and memorable vacation in Jeolla Province.

1. Visit the May 18th National Park in Gwangju.

2020 marks the 40th anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising or the Gwangju People’s Uprising, a massive protest and democratization movement that happened 40 years ago in Gwangju after assassination of President Park Chung-Hee.This has been listed as “Unesco Memory of the World” and the May 18th National Park is a special tribute to all the modern heroes who bravely fought for justice and freedom during uprising. There’s also a museum inside wherein you can watch a documentary video and if you are sensitive enough to watch the video, you can really got hooked into it and feel the bloody uprising that happened in 1980. One that also catch my attention where I really got goosebumps was the old Korean flag that has been used by the protesters with their real blood and stain that are still preserved inside the museum.
Bonus: The museum staff might give you a special documentary book in English like what I just received after watching the documentary video. 

2. Strolling and try not to get lost at Juknokwon Bamboo Forest

If you love nature trippings and strolling in a green, calm and fresh surroundings, the Juknokwon Bamboo Forest will be a good way to be included in your itinerary if you visit Jeolla Province. It takes less than an hour (or depends on your chosen path) to roam around the forest with a total distance of 2.4 kilometers which consist of eight paths to choose from. You can really feel the natural breeze as the forest boast a high level of oxygen which is perfect even Summer, with a cooler temperature from 4 to 7 degrees Celcius inside. 

3. Feel the majestic Metasequoia-lined Road in Damyang

If you want to experience a fancy road that has the same Metasequoia trees in Nami Island that is not crowded and where you’ll be able to take unlimited selca with just a few people or visit one of Top 10 BTS related tour destination in Korea, the Metasequoia- lined Road which is just near the Juknokwon Bamboo forest is a famous attraction in Damyang. This beautiful road has tall metasequoia trees which is perfect during Autumn or for all season and has been listed as Korea’s 100 Most Beautiful Road.

4. Experience camping and hiking at Seonun Mountain.

Hiking is the best way to spend Autumn in Korea and strolling while enjoying the cool breeze of Seonun mountain will make you forget the modern and busy city of Seoul. One unforgettable and not so ordinary itinerary is to spend your day or night camping in Seonun Mountain. It’s a totally a new experience for some tourist since you can feel that you are in a variety show like Running Man or 2 Days 1 Night wherein you can cook your favorite samgyupsal or roast potato in a portable stove, sleep in a capsule bed and play the Rock, Paper, Scissor Game with your friends.

Aside from Seonun Mountain, there are other mountains which are also worth to visit like the Mudeung Mountain and Naejang Mountain especially during the peak of Autumn Season where the full-bloomed red Maple trees will welcome and greet you.

5. Art Appreciation at the Penguin Village in Yangnim-dong

Penguin Village is a small village in Gwangju which consist of group of elders making a living. It was called Penguin Village because it’s how they described the elder’s way of walking in knee pain. Most of their old junks and abandoned houses has been redesigned which makes it more interesting to go inside the village. There are also plenty of art paintings, collections of poems and art designs in every corner which is a good attraction for students, children and tourist.

6. The Train Village in Gokseong

If you want to experience riding an old train in Korea, the Train Village in Gokseong County will be one of the few old trains that is still running up to date. It’s actually an old railway with an old Korail train and will take about 20 to 30 minutes ride back and forth, where you’ll just sit back and relax and experience the fresh air and peaceful province in Gokseong. After 10 or 15 minutes, the train will stop where you can be able to spend more time and enjoy the sceneries, drink coffee or buy some local snacks like rice pop cracker outside the train. Some tourist also spend their time on that specific area since there are plenty of activities to choose from like bungee jumping, riding a bike, cross the hanging bridge and may even spend a night at camping sites or local guesthouse nearby.

7. The 1913 Songjeong Station Market

Before catching your train or bus going back to Seoul, why not spend a quick time to buy a local souvenir and try to eat some street foods at Songjeong Station Market. This old market just across the train station, sells various traditional products since 1913 in connection of the Gwangju-Songjeong Station. I personally love this street market because of the modern design and signboards, attractive lights at night and their version of Bindae-tteok, or mung bean pancake which is very affordable and worth to try.

[My article “Seven Good Spots in Jeolla Province on your Next Trip to Korea” has been officially published and also available at Talk Talk Korea website dated May 12, 2020].

For any request and interest, please send your thoughts at MyTravelDiaries101@gmail.com.

What does flattening the curve mean during COVID 19 and how will it help to solve the current pandemic disease? Flattening the curve is one of the campaign strategy that is being implemented by most countries to fight COVID 19. Since the curve symbolizes the infected people that needs help and special attention, and if we flatten or reduce the curve, we can maintain the number of our hospital beds, equipments and medicine. Our health care system will also not to exceed the maximum capacity and will help not to overwhelmed the hospitals since reducing the curve will give enough time for our doctors and frontliners to make necessary preparation. We can flatten the curve by staying at home, stay healthy, practice proper hygiene and maintain social distancing.

While we are still on lockdown period and contribute to flattening the curve, BTS has successfully wrapped up their 2-Day Concert Streaming Series called Bang Bang Con last April 18th to April 19th thru their YouTube channel BangtanTV. The said channel has now more than 28 million subscribers and according to their company label Big Hit Entertainment, the said streaming has 50 million hit worldwide! Imagine if 50 million and more people everyday will managed to just stay at home and contribute to flatten the curve, we will overcome together and be able to fight COVID 19 too!

Bang Bang Con is a compilation of past BTS concert a year after their debut up to their latest Love Yourself World Tour. They also show some rehearsals before the concert and play some of their hit chart Music Videos. What I love about BTS is they never failed to thank Army fans by giving powerful performance, funny pick up lines and interesting real life stories which added to the success of their concert. It was also reported that more than 500,000 light stick or Army Bomb has been connected worlwide and gathered together even at home since the live streaming managed to synchronize and change the color of the light sticks while watching Bang Bang Con.

This is also one proof that if we joined together and show our support to our government by simply staying at home and maintain social distancing, we can all help to flatten the curve and we can overcome this crisis together in a short period of time.

[My article, “Flattening the Curve: Thanks to Bang Bang Con” has been officially published and also available at Talk Talk Korea website dated April 21, 2020].

For any request, question or interest, please send your thoughts at MyTravelDiaries101@gmail.com.

“I really wanted to travel!” That’s all what I have on my mind whenever I hear about Korea — from famous drama, thousand filming locations, mix of old and modern culture, perfect sceneries, hiking during Autumn, Winter Sonata, chasing Cherry Blossom and name it! I do love to visit Korea! And ever since I was a child, I really wanted to have a reward vacation for me and for my family. And voila! Dreams do come true! I’ve been travelling to Korea for five times already and I make sure I have different itinerary and new travel destination for each visits. Here’s one of the cheapest travel that I had during Spring 2018. With a more or less 20,000 php budget in a row, I just explored Jeju Island and various hot spots in Seoul in 6 days!

April 2 – Arrival in Incheon Airport with a cheap Cebupacific roundtrip ticket. Check in at my first hotel at K-Incheon Airport. Nearest Station: Unseo station

April 3 – Check out and proceed to Gimpo airport. Domestic flight and travel from Gimpo Airport to Jeju International Airport using my JejuAir promo roundtrip ticket. Upon arrival, check in at my second hotel at Hotel Oakra (20 minutes from the airport). Explore mainland of Jeju Island using Klook’s one day hop in and off bus card. You can also plan your itinerary ahead of time by checking the Bus Routes and Time table using below: http://www.jejugoldenbus.com/en/

April 4 – Explore more of Jeju Island. Since the unlimited one day bus card only covers the Jeju mainland, it is also a nice experience to get out of the mainland and spend more time in South, East and West areas of the island. Here’s what I visited on the Western side of the island: Hyupjae Beach, Hallim Park, O’sulloc Green tea, Mt. Sanbang, Chonjeyeon Waterfalls

More sceneries in Jeju Island. To all nature lovers out there, Jeju Island is the best place to be!

April 5 – Back to Seoul. Travel from Jeju Island to mainland Seoul and check in at my third hotel at Guesthouse Myeongdong. (Nearest Station: Myeongdong Station) Explore Myeongdong street market and visit Namsan Seoul tower. If you wish to visit some night market aside from Myeongdong, there are other options to visit like the 6 night market or the Bamdokkaebi Night Market which are only open from April to October. You may refer to the 2019 information on location and schedule: https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/AKR/FU_EN_15.jsp?cid=2593293

April 6 – Visit Seokchon lake Cherry blossom festival. (Nearest Station: Jamsil Station). You also have option to visit Lotte World Theme Park (one of the biggest theme park in Korea) and Seoul Sky Observatory at Lotte World Tower (the fifth tallest building in the world as of this writing). These two spots are all walking distance to Seokchon lake. From Seokchon Lake, proceed to Korean Folk village (Nearest Station: Jonggak Station). If you love historical dramas, this is the perfect place for you! You can see typical Korean houses during the Joseon period. You can also experience some folk shows and folk dancing inside the village. Tips: Just show your Jejuair membership and they will give you a special discount rate. Also see below complete guide on how to go to Korean Folk Village: https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264121

April 7 – Experience a different kind of theater show. If you like to experience some live acts with a mix of acrobatic stunts, you have to see “Jump Show”. The location is walking distance from Myeongdong Street market and Myeongdong Cathedral. (Tip: You can download and use Naver Map App. This app is Korea’s own version of Google map but I preferred to use Naver Map since most of the transportation and location in Korea is more accurate compared to Google map.) From Jump Show theather, proceed to Namdaemun market for some cheap street foods and shopping. One of my favorite street food in Namdaemun is the “hotteok” or Korean pancake. It is very heavy but satisfying since there is chapchae inside the pancake. And from Namdaemun, proceed to Yeouido Park for more Cherry Blossom experience at night. 

If you also want to have other activity aside from watching theater, why not join some Hallyu Activities or Korean culture experience for foreigners? From Hallyu cooking class, MBC TV station tour, e-stadium tour or be it like a Korean celebrities and attend the Hallyu star make-up classes and visit your favorite Kpop stars at SM Town Musem Tour. Sounds good right? And the good news is all of the classes are free except for the cooking class with a minimal fee. All you need to do is to check out the schedule and register four weeks before the class. You may refer for the 2019 list of Hallyu Activities and upcoming schedules here: http://english.visitseoul.net/hallyu/Hallyu-Activities-Program?indexSn=88&sectionSn=840#

Return to Manila.

Since I have remaining load on my T-card, I do have options to use it on my next return to Seoul and also have an option to refund all the remaining load. But T-card is very useful in Seoul and Jeju Island (and all other parts of Korea) since we can conveniently use it in all means of transportation like train, bus and taxi. I also use my T-card in paying some of my food and drinks in major convenient stores in Korea like 7-eleven. T-card has also discounts in some tourist entrance too. Please refer here for the complete guide: https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TRP/TP_ENG_8_1_1.jsp

Also, here’s the summary of my expenses:

Day 1: Cebupac Airfare – 4,800; Wifi Rental – 696; Hotel – 1,200; T-card Reload for 6 days – 30,000 won. Total – 8,060 php

Day 2: Jejuair – 2,500; Hotel – 1,000 x 2 days; Jeju bus card – 500 pesos. Total – 5,000 php

Day 3: Klook’s West Jeju Tour – 3,000 pesos. Total – 3,000 php (Just use Klook’s discount coupon and you will enjoy 15-20% off just do a little research before your travel date)

Day 4: Hotel in Myeongdong – 1000 x 3 nights. Total – 3,000 php (Tips: If you booked via Agoda, there is also additional discount of 5-10% off and you may also use each booking as Gift Cash which can be used as Cash discount on your next booking!)

Day 5: Seokchon lake – Free; Korean folk village – 10,000 won. Total – 454.72 php

Day 6: Jump Show ticket – 1,000 php; Yeouido Park – Free; Total – 1,000 php

Overall Total is 20,514.72 PHP. (assuming 1 php = .0044 won)

Note: Everyone has options to cut their budget in expensive foods and luxury shopping. Just always take note that the most important thing is to enjoy the trip without spending much! I also have special trips in provinces and cities in Jeolla-do and Gangwon-do and spend a lot of time in hiking during Autumn — my most favorite season in Korea. Kindly stay tuned for my next TravelDiaries! 😊

**PS: If you have request, questions or suggestions, please feel free to drop an email at mytraveldiaries101@gmail.com or you may send any comments below. I’ll be happy to assist and answer as much as I can. 😊