Did you know that a few of your favorite Korean idols and personalities have lived in the Philippines?
Yes, you read that right! At a time when they weren't idols or social media personalities yet, these Korean stars have found a new home in our beautiful islands.
From idols such as Sandara Park and Cha Eun-woo to personalities like Jinho Bae and Dasuri Choi, these Korean celebs could pass off as Pinoys at heart.
Get to know them in this gallery:
Before she became a member of 2NE1, “Pambansang Krung-Krung” Sandara Park has lived in the Philippines in 1994 before flying back to Korea in 2007.
Sandara referenced the Philippines in countless interviews in Korea but nothing can top the time she brought Choc-Nut in her bag while attending Paris Fashion Week. She described the chocolate-peanut snack as the “National Chocolate of the Philippines.”
Bang Hyun-song, otherwise known as Ryan Bang, made a name for himself in the Philippine showbiz industry after entering a reality show and finishing as its runner-up.
Ryan Bang was offered a hosting gig in South Korea after he served as the translator of boxing champ Manny Pacquiao in the South Korean variety show, “Infinite Challenge.” Although he turned the gig down, Ryan is close to other popular Korean hosts such as Yoo Jae-suk.
South Korean dancer Dasuri Choi was a former dancer and trainee in South Korea. In 2014, she auditioned on 'Eat Bulaga's “You're My Foreignay” and won Best in Talent and 2nd Runner-Up.
Dasuri is featured in several Kapuso shows including 'Inday Will Always Love You,' 'My Korean Jagiya,' and 'Pepito Manaloto.' Currently, she uploads regular vlogs and dance covers on YouTube. Our favorite would have to be when she visited Super Junior member Shindong in South Korea.
Son Yong Kuk, popularly known as Shine Kuk, is a South Korean actress and singer. She rose to fame after winning the 2014 “You're My Foreignay” with fellow contestant, Dasuri Choi. She went to the Philippines to study Consular and Diplomatic Affairs at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
Aside from being an actress, Shine Kuk is also a businesswoman after launching her business Kukjamae. She also held the title Miss Korea Philippines in 2018.
Jinho Bae is a 24-year-old South Korean singer based in the Philippines. He lived in the Philippines for more than 15 years after his parents decided to move out of the country.
After living here for more than a decade, Jinho is very fluent in Tagalog and English. During an interview, he shared that Filipinos were the ones who took care of his family when they experienced a financial crisis. Today, he is a popular YouTuber who interviews known Korean stars such as Eric Nam, Yoo Jae-suk, and EXO's Sehun.
South Korean singer Yohan Hwang, also known as Yohan King, has called the Philippines his home after his family moved in 2014.
Yohan often performs Korean versions of popular OPM songs dubbing him as the Korean Romantic Balladeer.
Highlight's Son Dong-woon revealed in the KBS show 'Win-Win' that he studied the English Language in Laguna before becoming a trainee in JYP Entertainment.
During their first Philippine fan meeting in 2016, the K-pop idol introduced himself as “Son Dong-woon from Sta. Rosa.”
BTOB member Yook Sung-jae keeps a special place in his heart for the Philippines. During his fan meeting, he revealed that he stayed in Cebu briefly to study English.
During his visit in 2018, Yook Sung-jae studied Tagalog and Cebuano to communicate better with fans. He told PH Melodies, “Sama-sama tayo palagi!”
iKON's Kim Jin-hwan is also a Filipino at heart after revealing that he has lived in the Philippines for seven months.
During an interview for Arirang Radio Interview, he spoke a couple of Tagalog words “mahal namin kayo,” and “sakit ako tiyan.”
ASTRO's Cha Eun-woo also studied in the Philippines for six months. During an interview, he revealed that he studied the basics of the English language in the archipelago.
Cha Eun-woo promoted his love for the Philippines by posing next to a cup of Jollibee and even vacationed in Cebu with his 'My I.D. is Gangnam Beauty' castmates.
Oh Sang-mi, better known as Sam Oh is a television host and radio broadcaster who has been living in the Philippines for 20 years.
Sam is considered a Korean expatriate after cementing her career in the Philippine entertainment industry. Because she's fluent in Tagalog, English, and Korean, Sam often hosts fan meetings of popular Korean stars when they visit the country.
South Korean television host and radio disc jockey Grace Lee moved to the Philippines at the age of 10 because of her father's business. She studied at St. Paul College in Pasig and graduated at the Ateneo de Manila University.
Before she became a host, she served as an official interpreter in Malacanan and had a brief relationship with Benigno Aquino III, the 15th President of the Philippines.
Grace can speak fluent Tagalog, English, and Korean. Currently, she's very active uploading videos on her YouTube channel where she features Korean cooking with her mom, Mama Lee.
Jinri Park is a Korean actress and model who made heads turn when she appeared on FHM Philippines in 2011. During her collegiate years, she moved to Korea to study med school but begged her parents to fly her back to the Philippines. She studied at Enderun Colleges.
After tying the knot with a non-showbiz guy, Jinri migrated to Australia where she currently works as a waitress.
Korean idol Alexander Lee was a former member of the boy band U-KISS in 2008. As a band member, he was able to release four mini-albums and one full-album with U-KISS.
Alexander debuted in the Philippines in 2017 after he was cast as the main character of the popular romantic comedy series 'My Korean Jagiya' starring Heart Evangelista. He was then cast in other Kapuso shows, including 'Dear Uge' and 'Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko.'
Former THE BOYZ dancer, lead rapper, and vocalist Heo Hyun-joon, better known as Hwall, said that he lived in the Philippines for four whole years, where he learned English.
Back in 2019, Hwall brought all THE BOYZ members to the Philippines during their first Asia Tour, where they were able to greet their many adoring fans and even spoke some Tagalog words.
Kristy Cho, otherwise known as Kristy Pata, is a YouTube personality who made a name for herself by making several videos about her experience as a Korean living in the Philippines.
Kristy moved to the Philippines when she was young. In fact, she attended high school in Pampanga and recently graduated college from the De La Salle University.
YouTuber Jessica Lee is a former member of the Korean girl group HIGHTEEN and a participant of Idol School. She moved to the Philippines when she was 9 years old.
On her YouTube channel, she often talks about her K-pop experience and her life in the Philippines and South Korea. According to Jessica, living in the Philippines for nine years has been one of her greatest experiences in life.