Hallyu meets classical music in 'OST Symphony: K-drama in Concert'

Music from K-drama hits came to life in ''OST Symphony: K-Drama in Concert," a collaboration between the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) held at the Manila Metropolitan Theater on Saturday.

Featuring the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO), led by Maestro Herminigildo Ranera and concertmaster violinist Kim Mi Jung, the concert featured original sound tracks (OSTs) from K-dramas that won the hearts of millions of people around the world.

The concert was held to celebrate the 20 years since K-dramas debuted on Philippine television and the 75 years of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and South Korea.

“This is one of the forms of art that we can have a cultural exchange with, particularly showing Filipino talents. And at the same time, we're also learning about other cultures,” said NCCA Deputy Executive Director for Operations Bernan Joseph Corpuz in an interview with GMA News Online.

Photo: Jiselle Anne Casucian/GMA Integrated News

The concert started with the orchestral versions of “My Destiny” from the 2013 drama “My Love from the Star” and “You Are My Everything” from the 2016 series ''Descendants of the Sun.''

The PPO also performed a medley of songs from K-dramas such as “Squid Game," “Extraordinary Attorney Woo," “Jewel in the Palace," ''Hwang Jini,'' “All In,” and “Love in the Moonlight.”

Kapuso singer Zephanie sang “Nagbago ang Daigdig” from the GMA primetime show “My Guardian Alien," while Julie Anne San Jose showcased her vocal prowess with the English rendition of “You Are My Everything” from “Descendants of the Sun.”

South Korean singer Gaho made a special appearance and sang the hit OSTs “Running” from “Start Up”, “Yellow Light” from “King the Land”, and “Start” from “Itaewon Class.''

Tracks from K-dramas “Crash Landing on You," “Behind the White Tower,” “The World of the Married”, and “Mr. Sunshine'' were also played by the PPO.

The concert ended with a performance of “I Will Go To You Like the First Snow” from “Goblin.''

“[The setlist was chosen sa] mga nag-hit dito sa atin. [South Korea is] also appreciative of us adopting it in the Filipino setting… Kailangan din maipakita rin natin kung ano yung meron tayo at ano talaga yung talent ng Pilipino sa ibang larangan at maipakita natin ang ating sariling kagalingan at kakayahan,” said Corpuz.

([The setlist was chosen from] K-dramas that became hits here in the country… [South Korea is] also appreciative of us adopting it in the Philippine setting… We also need to show them what talent Filipinos have in other disciplines and our expertise and abilities.)

“Sana (Hopefully), we can export this and some of our telenovelas as well. And we can even have a partnership by having some Korean and Filipino actors collaborate on film, television, and music. So, that could be part of our creative investment. Tayo din sana para mas (Hopefully, we can do it so that) we [can] enjoy the different cultures of the different countries, particularly with Korea,” he said.  —VBL, GMA Integrated News