Korean Invasion: Influence of Korean Culture among Senior High School Students in Emilio C. Bernabe National High School–Bagac, Bataan

Abstract

Korean Popular Culture (KPOP) has a tremendous effect among Filipinos especially the young generations. The modern Korean culture that includes their traditions, music, dramas, foods and their fashion had become a big influencer in many countries especially in terms of music and fashion style. Most of the Korean fans understand the Korean wave or Hallyu by listening to Korean songs, watching Korean dramas, fan-girling to their favorite groups and experiencing Korean things like foods, how they dress, and the culture as well. Korea is a strong influencer especially their K-pop group and their celebrities. According to the Korea Foundation, as of 2015, there are over thirty-five (35) million fans of Korean Pop Culture worldwide. In the Philippines, most of the Filipinos are amazed by how attractive Korean’s historical places are, how the Korean music is good to their ears, and how they introduced their foods and fashion in the Philippines. Most of the teenagers are influenced by Koreans in terms of fashion and how well they dress and even Filipinos can’t contradict the thought of most of the Korean actors are good-looking and attractive especially in the eyes of teenagers. There were twenty(20) participants in the study who were Senior High School students of Emilio C. Bernabe National High School in Bagac, Bataan. The following inclusion criteria were set in the selection of the twenty (20) participants:(1) able to share, describe, and articulate their experiences on Korean culture; (2) Must be a senior high school student in Emilio C. Bernabe National High School; (3) Currently a fan of k-pop for at least 2 years. On the other hand, the prohibition criteria were not considered such as relevance of degree of involvement in Korean culture invasion. Also, the researcher did not consider the non-k-pop fans to correspond exclusive findings among k-pop fans. The study is important in providing relevant information on the possible advantages and disadvantages of the KPOP culture among the students. Findings of the study may serve inputs on the deeper understanding on the influence of Korean culture among students. Insights of the study derived from the narratives of the participants explicitly examined in understanding the existing phenomenon.