On the first weekend of May, despite the scorching blaze of the sun, we’ve had the incredible opportunity to join the celebration of the 75-year friendship between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea. The “K-Culture Next Door: 2024 Korea Festival” took place at the iconic SM Mall of Asia on May 4 and 5, 2024. This wasn't just an event, though. It was a captivating and immersive experience that beautifully intertwined Korean and Filipino cultures.
South Korean indie rock band Jannabi is in Manila for the first time
The festival's theme, "K-Culture Next Door," resonated deeply, signifying that Korean culture is no longer distant but a familiar neighbor ingrained in Filipino consciousness. With the overwhelming popularity of K-pop, K-drama, and K-food among Filipinos, K-Culture has become an integral part of our daily lives. Just like what we always say in FIlipino: kinain na ng sistema
From the moment the festival kicked off, the excitement was palpable. The festival's Opening Ceremony was a grand affair, graced by esteemed personalities from both the Korean and Philippine governments. Pinoy rapper Young Cocoa kicked off the ceremony with electrifying music! It was a treat to hear this up-and-coming artist perform his top hits such as “JTOWN,” “Zesto,” “Fadeaway,” and “Manila.” What’s even cooler is that he also performed “MR. SWAG,” a song he released just three weeks ago, and “Meow,” which is his upcoming release.
Young Cocoa hyping up the crowd during the opening ceremony
Young Cocoa’s performance had set the stage for heartfelt speeches celebrating the enduring friendship between the two countries. South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines, Mr Lee Sang-hwa, highlighted the strong bond between the two countries, with 92% of Filipinos having a high regard for Korea and Koreans choosing the Philippines as their top travel destination in 2023. This closeness was echoed by Direk Jose Javier Reyes, Chairman of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, who emphasized that K-Culture is now undeniably part of our daily lives.
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Mr. Lee Sang-hwa, |
Director Jose Javier Reyes, |
However, the event reached fever pitch during the opening ceremonies when the highly anticipated special guest took the stage. Making their Philippine debut, South Korean indie rock band Jannabi delighted their adoring Filipino fans with a captivating performance. Formed in 2012, the duo features lead vocalist Choi Jung-hoon and guitarist Kim Do-hyung, renowned for their self-produced songs and electrifying live shows, which festival-goers were thrilled to experience firsthand.
Jannabi surprising the crowd with a rehearsal set before the opening ceremony
Before the official opening ceremony, Jannabi delighted the crowd with a rehearsal set, giving fans a thrilling preview of their live performance. The band treated the audience to live renditions of their hits including “Legend,” “A Thought on an Autumn Night,” “Dreams, Books, Power, and Walls,” and “Hong Kong” during the soundcheck. This sneak peek left everyone thoroughly impressed and eagerly anticipating the main event.
Jannabi frontman Choi Junghoon interacting with the crowd
And finally, during their main set, the band treated fans to a lineup of nine electrifying hits, including "Together," "Baby I Need You," "Summer," "Good Good Night," "For Lovers Who Hesitate," "Tell Me," "Alokdalok," "Jungle," and a standout cover of 4 Non Blondes’ "What’s Up." Despite Jung-hoon's earlier remarks that it wasn’t a concert, the performance featured a total of 13 songs, making it feel like a mini concert in itself. This marked Jannabi's debut in Manila, promising an unforgettable experience for fans who eagerly await their return, possibly sooner rather than later.
Partner booths line up SM Mall of Asia’s Music Hall to give visitors the full Korean experience
The SM Mall of Asia Music Hall was also transformed into a bustling hub of activity, featuring diverse booths offering authentic Korean experiences. Tech enthusiasts delved into the Galaxy AI at Samsung's booth, while car enthusiasts got behind the wheel of Hyundai's IONIQ 5, experiencing cutting-edge EV technology.
The winner of the challenge gets a basket full of Korean food goodies
We also got to learn more about the current K-beauty trends and latest Innisfree and Laneige products at the AMORE Pacific booth, tried on traditional Hanbok attire, learned Hangeul (as in the Korean alphabet), and danced to popular K-pop tunes. Other festival-goers also engaged in fun challenges like the Spicy Noodle and Mukbang Challenges, with exciting prizes awaiting the winners.
NARA performing a Korean traditional dance
The CEU Folk Dance Troupe performing Tinikling
It was also enchanting to watch cultural performances from both countries, with NARA (the performance team from the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines) showcasing Korean traditional dances and the Centro Escolar University Folk Dance Troupe presenting Filipino dances from all over the Philippines. Their colorful costumes and fascinating dance moves were truly fun to watch!
The excitement doesn't end in Manila—the K-Culture Next Door: 2024 Korea Festival will make its way to Cebu on June 15 and 16, 2024, promising another unforgettable celebration of friendship and culture. Don't miss out on this incredible journey bridging nations through shared heritage and vibrant connections!
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