Korea's most popular soundtrack breaks record

By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Nuran Sami Hassan Ibrahim

Video = CJENMMUSIC Official  

One of the most successful Korean TV shows is "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God" (쓸쓸하고 찬란하神 – 도깨비), commonly shorted to just "Goblin." It has gained acclaim far beyond just Korea or East Asia. In fact, it has drawn massive approbation from all over the world. The story revolves around a goblin who wallows in his own curse, while maintaining the illusionary mindset that he's actually blessed, which backfires as the series progresses. The drama is various in theme, and many viewers find it hard to define and categorize the show into one genre. However, it's been settled that it falls under the genres of fantasy and romance, with a pinch of comedy thrown in, too.

Topping the charts is no longer surprising for this exceptionally admired TV series. It possesses the second highest-rated single episode in the history of Korean TV, along with a soundtrack that has ended up with many hits. As of May 28, one of the songs from the soundtrack for "Goblin," "Stay With Me" by Chanyeol, from the band Exo, and the singer Punch, has broken a vital record. That one song is taking that soundtrack to the top of all Korean TV show soundtracks on YouTube, with the spike in views surpassing 70 million. It has claimed the title of "Most Viewed Music Video for a Korean Soundtrack" on YouTube, outshining the song "Everytime," by Exo's Chen and the singer Punch, from the show "Descendants of the Sun" (태양의 후예), that had 51 million views as of that day. Congratulations to the entire team of "Goblin," including the talented Park Chanyeol and the singer Punch, who were first to participate in the soundtrack for "Goblin," on this masterpiece and iconic achievement.

Here are the top 10 most-viewed songs from a soundtrack for a Korean TV show on YouTube. 

10. "Once Again" by Mad Clown and Kim Na Young, from the show "Descendants of the Sun"

Views: 24 million

9. "For You" by Chen Baekhyun and Xiumin, from the band Exo, from the show "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo" (달의 연인 - 보보경심 려)

Views: 27 million

8. "Beautiful" by Baekhyun from the band Exo, from the show "Exo Next Door" (우리 옆집에 엑소가 산다)

Views: 31 million

7. "You Are My Everything" by Gummy, from the show "Descendants of the Sun"

Views: 36 million

6. "Talk Love" by K.will, from "Descendants of the Sun"

Views: 38 million

5. "Beautiful" by Crush, from the show "Goblin"

Views: 39 million

4. "This Love" by Davichi, from "Descendants of the Sun"

Views: 40 million

3. "Always" by Yoon Mi Rae, from "Descendants of the Sun"

Views: 40.7 million

2. "Everytime" by Chen, from the group Exo, and Punch, from the show "Descendants of the Sun"

Views: 51 million

1. "Stay With Me" by Chanyeol, from the group Exo, and Punch, from the show "Goblin"

Views: 70 million

wisdom117@korea.kr

Philippines localizes Korean TV shows

By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Mari Mikhaela Javier

Photos = Mari Mikhaela Javier

There is no other way of proving the effects of the "Korean Wave" -- the growth in popularity of Korean TV shows, music and movies across East Asia and elsewhere -- than turning on the TV and scanning your list of channels. Particularly in terms of Korean soap operas, the Philippines is just one of hundreds of countries that are welcoming these new Korea-inspired TV formats and shows.

A whole range of Korean soap operas have raised expectations that Philippine viewers have for their favorite dramas, further strengthening this "Korean Wave," also called "Hallyu" from the word for this phenomena in Mandarin. The power of Korean dramas lives on among Philippine viewers, whether it be soundtracks, actors, artists or pop groups. Moreover, throughout the years, Filipinos' love for Korean dramas and actors has urged huge broadcasting companies to create a trend in promoting pop Korean shows even further by increasing the number of Korean TV shows dubbed into Tagalog or other Philippine languages.

Just recently, fan clubs including Gong Yoo Philippines, BTOB Philippines, ABS-CBN and the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, have all held advanced screenings for dubbed versions of the hit TV show "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God" (쓸쓸하고 찬란하神 -- 도깨비).  The fan clubs even handed out freebies and prizes for mini contest winners.;

The following day, fans of "The Legend of the Blue Sea" (푸른 바다의 전설) held an advanced screening for their show, too, as the two shows will air the same day on the the same network, taking over the afternoon and evening primetime slots.

On the other hand, another network, GMA, will soon air its adaptation of the record breaking show "My Love From the Star" (별에서 온 그대) and it's currently promoting the program. The channel has also dubbed many other TV soap operas, including "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo" (달의 연인 - 보보경심 려).

The intense impact of Korean dramas and soap operas doesn't only come to an end at the end of the years, as it continuously contributes to the development of the entertainment industry in both Korea and the Philippines. Localized adaptations of high-rating shows only proves that the Philippines is ready for fresh new soap operas tailored specifically to Philippine tastes  

wisdom117@korea.kr