PH, Korean artists unite in free concert

MANILA — Filipino and South Korean artists shared the stage to entertain fans and mall-goers in Mandaluyong.

Dubbed as “Guerilla K-Night”, this cultural exchange show gathered the Korean indie bands, We Are the Night, rising P-pop group, SB19, and local independent bands, Kremesoda, and Any Name’s Okay, at the Shangri-La Plaza on Saturday night.

In Korea, “Guerilla” means pop-up or surprise events in the TV show program. Normally, Korean artists and idols have this kind of event as a way to surprise and thank their fans. Since last year, the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines has been staging a “Guerilla K-Night” during the Christmas season, as part of Korean and Filipino cultural celebrations.

“Year-round, we had K-pop singers, actors, actresses, Koreanovela. KCC also invited a film director to speak. (This time), we want to show another aspect or genre of Korean culture. That’s why we invited an indie band from Korea,” KCC director Lee Jincheol told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

He added that indie music is not so common in the Philippines. We Are the Night, he said, is one of the best and fast-rising indie band from his country.

Lee explained that since KCC is a government office, staging this kind of show does not make profit.

“We pursue cultural exchanges in the country, even if it does not make any revenue, we don’t care about that,” he said.

He continued, “Also, we would like to extend the understanding of each people’s culture.

Next year, we will show another aspect of K-culture to the Filipinos.”

The KCC director said he was really surprised and impressed by the Filipino fandoms and the way they respond to shows.

“I love the way Filipinos respond, enjoy and entertain themselves during the show. They sing together,” Lee said.

Four members of We Are the Night graced the occasion and said it was their first time to perform in the Philippines.

Drummer Kim Bo Ram, who was left onstage to fix the instrument after the band’s performance, granted selfies and autograph requests from Filipino attendees.

SB19 acknowledges KCC

In a separate interview, SB19 members acknowledged that KCC has played a big role for them to reach their success.

“We are aware that there’s a Korean Cultural Center here, and some of us were trainees of its various training programs. It was where we started before we were discovered,” the members recalled.

Member Sejun said he used to be a KCC supporter or volunteer for years, and has met its different heads.

“I am happy with my journey in KCC. I learned about the Korean culture, and was also able to showcase the Filipino culture to them,” he said.

Sejun added that KCC has played a big part in the skills enhancement of every SB19 member.

“KCC has been inviting us since last year for its (cultural) caravan. We have been to many schools. They (KCC) also regularly invite us in their events. It seemed like the KCC events’ stages were our training grounds,” Sejun said.

It is on the KCC events’ stages where the group learned to enhance their “stage manners”, and learned how to perform in front of many people, Sejun added.

Last month, the group placed 6th on Billboard’s Next Big Sound chart, which tracks the fastest growing artists based on online traction.