In a recent interview with Philippines’ leading primetime news magazine show, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (One at Heart, Jessica Soho), pop culture experts discussed in-depth how the KPOP phenomenon developed in the country.


University of the Philippines Prof. Wendell Capili said in an interview by KMJS:
” Music is a universal language, so unang-unang appeal nung KPOP ay ‘yung melody nito, medyo catchy, medyo madaling maintindihan. Sa wikang Ingles, tinatawag nating perky, masyadong magaan… lalo na ang demographic ng KPOP ay mga bata.” (Music is a universal language, so KPOP’s  first appeal is its melody. It is catchy and easy to understand. In english, it’s what we call light and perky… and it appeals mostly to audience who are in the younger demographic.)
KPOP in the Philippines started to gain popularity when former teen star Sandara Park went global with her phenomenal group 2NE1.
Her success paved the way for the entry of other popular KPOP acts in Philippine mainstream music.
Just recently, KPOP royalty Super Junior held the last leg of their Super Show 2 tour. And KPOP fans are also looking forward to the upcoming concert of UKiss’ in May, and a possible fan meet by SS501.
Capili also added:
“Kahit Koreano ka man, kahit Filipino ka man, kahit hindi mo maintindihan ang lyrics, ‘yung unang naga-appeal diyan ‘yung melody. Pangalawa, ‘yung mga taong kumakanta rito, pangatlo, ‘yung mga production values ng mga music videos, pang-apat ‘yung fantasy factor na karamihan sa mga Pilipino ay galing sa lower income generation or puwedeng may kaya sila sa buhay pero gusto nilang maglakbay sa ibang bansa. At Korea represents a certain appeal na gustong i-aspire o puntahan ng mga nakababatang Filipino, kaya ang mga Filipino na kabataan ay nahuhumaling sa KPOP.” (It does not matter if you’re Korean or Filipino, even if you cannot understand the lyrics, the first thing that would appeal to you is the melody. Second, the singers. Third, the production value of the music videos. Fourth, the fantasy factor. Most of the Filipino fans belong to the lower income generating class, or they can also be well-off but they want to travel in other countries. And Korea represents a certain appeal that young Filipinos aspire. That is the main reason why most Filipino youth are addicted to KPOP.”
Philippine network GMA-7’s primetime newscast, 24 Oras, also featured the rise of KPOP among the Filipino youth in this video link.
Source: GMA-7, www.gmanews.tv, www.kapusomojessicasoho.tv