Pinoys have been fans of South Korean entertainment for a long time. We enjoy their well-written dramas and movies and their hilarious reality shows. And whenever South Korean stars visit our shores, we even sell out meet and greets. That’s why it’s such a treat to see local destinations featured on South Korean big and small screens. It screams #PinoyPride! Check out these South Korean shows, dramas, and movies you might not know were filmed in the Philippines.
Hindsight (2011)
Filming location: Mactan, Cebu
Song Kang Ho (Parasite) and Shin Se Kyung (Run On) star in Hindsight, which is a film about a hit woman struggling with her feelings for her target — who happens to be an underworld boss. Towards the end of the movie, the pair are seen living a peaceful life in Hasdan Beach Resort in Mactan, Cebu.
Romantic Island (2008)
Filming locations: Boracay, Manila
Romantic Island is a film set mostly in Boracay and follows three pairs of Koreans finding forms of escape in the Philippines. One story tells the story of a husband who discovers he has a brain tumor. He plots to kill himself in the Philippines so his wife could claim insurance money. Another story is about a convenience store worker who bumps into a runaway pop star. And the last story is about a happy-go-lucky office worker who gets hired as a tour guide for a rich businessman.
No Breathing (2013)
Filming locations: Davao: Marco Polo Hotel, Aldevinco Shopping Center, Pearl Farm Resort, Davao del Norte Sports Complex
No Breathing is a 2013 South Korean film set in the world of competitive swimming. It centers around two swimmers, Lee Jong Suk (While You Were Sleeping) and Seo In Guk (Reply 1997), rivals in every way and each with their personal turbulent pasts. The last part of the film featured the beautiful shores of Davao, where the team shot scenes for a week.
Forest (2020)
Filming locations: Okada Manila, Cove Manila, SM Mall of Asia, Intramuros, NAIA
Forest is the K-drama starring Park Hae Jin (Cheese in the Trap) and Jo Bo Ah (Tale of the Nine Tailed). The pair portray a 119 emergency service worker and a passionate young surgeon who fall in love after being forced to live in a mysterious forest. In one episode, the couple travels to the Philippines for important business. The pair manage to sneak in some alone time to visit Manila’s sights and attractions.
Law of the Jungle (2020)
Filming location: Coron, Palawan
South Korean reality show Law of the Jungle features groups of celebrities sent to survive in remote islands around the world. And since the Philippines has one of the most beautiful islands, they filmed episodes 403 to 415 in Coron, Palawan. The episodes aired in early 2020 and featured celebrities such as Wanna One member Kim Jae Hwan, Cosmic Girls’ Dayoung, and Lovelyz’s Jeong Ye In. If you love South Korean variety shows, you’ll love the fun and adventure they go through in Coron.
The Fugitive: Plan B (2010)
Filming location: Fortune Island Acropolis, Nasugbu, Batangas
In this action K-drama, a famous private investigation administrator is framed for the murder of his friend. He then meets a young woman who asks him for help to investigate the murder of her adoptive parents. The action K-drama’s first few moments featured its lead, Rain, coming to the Philippines for a mission. You’d think the filming location is in Europe but the pillars behind him are actually Fortune Island Acropolis in Batangas.
Cabin Crew (2020)
Cabin Crew is a South Korean reality show that lets celebrities live out their flight attendant dreams. In one episode, K-pop star Yunhyeon from iKON and South Korean singer and actress Uee from After School traded their mics for yellow Cebu Pacific cabin crew uniforms. You can imagine the delight of fans onboard. After the filming, the stars were also sighted going around Manila to make the most of their trip.
Master (2016)
Filming locations: Tondo, Binondo, Jones Bridge, Manila Cathedral
Although this action crime film began in Seoul, it was mainly shot in the streets of Manila. They had to close Jones Bridge, one of the biggest bridges in the city, to film scenes — making Master the first Korean film to do so. You’ll see lots of action and fighting in the familiar streets of Tondo and Binondo. Master stars Kim Woo Bin (Uncontrollably Fond), Gang Dong Won (Peninsula), and Lee Byung Hun (Squid Game).
Do you know other South Korean movies, dramas, and shows filmed in the Philippines?
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