In commemoration of the 75 years of friendship between Korea and the Philippines, the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC Philippines) on June 29 held the “OST Symphony: K-Drama in Concert” at the Manila Metropolitan Theater, in collaboration with the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Cultural Center in the Philippines (CCP), the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO), the Metropolitan Theater, the Korea Tourism Organization-Manila Office (KTO), broadcasting company GMA Network, and streaming provider Viu.
The concert, held at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., featured K-drama soundtrack performances by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, which is considered a top orchestra not only in the country but also in the Asia-Pacific region. It was led by multi-award-winning Filipino conductor Maestro Herminigildo Ranera, and joined by Korean concertmaster and violinist Kim Mi-jung. It also had special guests, Gaho, a popular singer, songwriter, and producer from Korea; and two of the Philippines’ prominent young performers, singer-songwriter and actress Julie Anne San Jose, and singer-actress Zephanie Dimaranan.
The 93-year-old Metropolitan Theater, Manila (also known as the MET), in Ermita, Manila, where the “OST Symphony: K-Drama in Concert” was held on June 29, 2024. (Myrtle Iris Villaraza)
The PPO performed original soundtracks (OSTs) primarily from K-dramas that are well-loved in the Philippines, such as My Love from the Star’s “My Destiny,” Descendants of the Sun’s “You Are My Everything,” Crash Landing on You’s “A Song for My Brother,” The World of the Married’s “Endless Story,” and Goblin’s “I Will Go To You Like the First Snow.” Other themes the orchestra played included those from Squid Game, Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Jewel in the Palace, Hwang Jin Yi, Love in the Moonlight, and Mr. Sunshine.
Special guest Gaho, known for singing OSTs for various popular K-dramas, performed “Start” from Itaewon Class, “Yellow Light” from King the Land, and “Running” from Start-Up.
Zephanie Dimaranan performed “Nagbago ang Daigdig,” the OST of My Guardian Alien, a Filipino drama produced by GMA Network. Julie Anne San Jose sang an English version of “You Are My Everything,” one of the OSTs from the K-drama Descendants of the Sun.
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The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra with Gaho, Julie Anne San Jose, and Zephanie Dimaranan. (Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines)
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Concertmaster and violinist Kim Mi-jung with conductor Maestro Herminigildo Ranera. (Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines)
An attendee makes a heart gesture toward the stage at the end of the 2 p.m. “OST Symphony” concert at the Metropolitan Theater, Manila, on June 29, 2024. (Myrtle Iris Villaraza)
I attended the 2 p.m. show with my sister, Caryl. Listening to the orchestral version of some of our favorite K-dramas’ soundtracks while clips from the shows flashed on the screen was heartwarming and nostalgic. It was also my and my sister’s first time stepping inside the Metropolitan Theater, Manila, making the event more memorable for us.
When I asked my sister Caryl what she thought about the concert, she said, “I really enjoyed watching ‘OST Symphony’ with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. It was magical and emotional to hear them live, especially when they played the K-drama OSTs.”
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My sister Caryl and I after watching the “OST Symphony: K-Drama in Concert.” (Caryl Mae Villaraza)
Being a Korea.net Honorary Reporter for the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST), I am extremely grateful to have witnessed this event. At the beginning of the concert, the PPO played the national anthems of the Philippines and Korea, and I remember feeling emotional with the realization that this concert was just one of the countless beautiful things that have transpired because Korea and the Philippines have been good friends over the past 75 years. I would like to thank KCC Philippines and all the organizers for bringing together Korean and Filipino cultures and talents to create one harmonious, exceptional event.
On June 30 and July 1, I reached out to some of MCST’s Korean Culture Content Creators from the Philippines, specifically K-Influencers, via social media for their comments regarding the show.
According to K-Influencer Rachel Barral, she anticipated the concert as soon as she heard about it. This was because she loves K-drama, it would be her first time watching the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra in person, and it would also be her first time at the Metropolitan Theater, Manila. She invited her Dad to the event. “We’re both architects, so we really wanted to see the Metropolitan Theater’s structure and design. We also appreciate music a lot, so Dad and I really had a moment to listen to the PPO and enjoy. I am satisfied with the event and performers. Overall, it was a memorable experience because Dad is 73 while I’m 47, and we were able to visit the MET for the first time through an event hosted by KCC Philippines. It was such a happy feeling to be with my Dad at events like this.”
K-Influencer Rachel Barral, wearing a Filipiniana (traditional Filipino dress) top, takes a souvenir photo with her Dad after attending “OST Symphony.” (Rachel Barral)
K-Influencer Rebeca Mendoza said, “It was my first time in the Metropolitan Theater, watching the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra as they serenaded us, the audience. It was a day to remember because it was also a celebration of 75 years of friendship between the Philippines and Korea. It was superb—the Philippine-Korean rendition of music. They made the event more fun by including some clips from our favorite K-drama series. The event was also entertaining because of the guest performers, Gaho, and our very own Julie Anne San Jose and Zephanie.”
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K-Influencer Rebecca Mendoza dons a modern version of Filipiniana for the event. (Rebecca Mendoza)
K-Influencers Rachel Barral, Jaycee Michaella Arbado, and Rebecca Mendoza at the Metropolitan Theater, Manila, for the “OST Symphony” concert. (Jaycee Michaella Arbado)
K-Influencer Jaycee Michaella Arbado shared, “The OST Symphony concert is one for the books for me because it’s the first time I have watched an orchestra and here, it’s our very own Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. This is a special moment as well because, in celebration of the 75th anniversary of friendship between Korea and Philippines, a music collaboration was made. It was really heartwarming to listen to our favorite K-drama OSTs being played by an orchestra. Looking forward to another concert like this and hoping I can secure an orchestra seat.”
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