Filipino-Korean boy featured on KMJS is now a certified P-pop idol

Three years ago, "Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho" helped a young Filipino-Korean boy and his mother find his long-lost siblings in South Korea.

Fast forward to today, and that scrawny and shy 16-year-old is now Jayson Lee — the main rapper of the up-and-coming Pinoy-pop boy group, 1ST.ONE.

In an episode of KMJS aired over the weekend, the team revisited Jayson and his mom's heartbreaking story first featured by the show in 2017.

Jayson apparently caught the attention of a South Korean entertainment group, who then set out to train under the label after finishing senior high.

"Sobrang nagulat po ako tin-ry ko pong i-research 'yung company. Legit naman po sila, so [sabi ko], try ko kaya 'to," Jayson said.

He did two years of training to equip himself with idol-worthy skills in singing, dancing and public speaking. According to Jayson, it was tough to be away from his mom, who was back in their province.

"Mahirap po 'yung training, pero dahil po doon, na-inspire din po ako talaga na mas tahakin pa po 'yung hetong journey na 'to. Kasi sabi nga po nila, walang madali na daan sa successful na buhay," Jayson said.

"First week pa lang po, sobrang naho-homesick na po ako, pero tina-try ko na lang pong isipin na para din po sa family namin ito," he said.

Jayson's major "glow-up" also got a lot of attention with his fans.

"Hindi ko po alam kung mahihiya ako o magiging masaya, kasi nga 'yung itsura ko non [at] itsura ko ngayon, 'glow up of the year' nga po, sabi po nila," Jayson said.

'My Korean sons'

It was 2017 when KMJS helped Ging Ging reunite her Filipino-Korean sons.

The mother had met Jayson's Korean father while he was working in Manila. She went to live with him in South Korea, where they had two Filipino-Korean children, Seung Hee and Jin Hee.

Unfortunately, Ging Ging and her Korean partner's relationship went south, and she had no choice but to return to the Philippines while she was still pregnant with Jason.

Jayson grew up in the town of Dingalan, Aurora where Ging Ging raised him as a single mother. The two haven't had contact with Jayson's siblings ever since.

Luckily, KMJS heard about her story and managed to connect Ging Ging with Seung Hee, one her sons left in Korea, via video call.

It was learned that Seung Hee had actually missed his Filipino mother and wished to see his brother in so long. Seung Hee also assured Ging Ging that he felt no anger for Jayson or for her. 

Jayson and Ging Ging's tearful reunion with her son on KMJS has been viewed more than 8 million times as of posting.

In the latest episode of KMJS, Ging Ging said she couldn't be more proud of Jason and all he has achieved so far.

She was also moved to tears while watching a special performance with 1ST.ONE, who she said were like five new "brothers" to Jason. — Margaret Claire Layug/LA, GMA News