Korean craze in the Philippines

Not only has Korean culture invaded Philippine television screens with Koreanovela favorites such as Jewel In The Palace, Full House and Jumong, Koreans themselves are everywhere. In fact, the Philippines hosts the largest percentage of Korean immigrants in Southeast Asia. According to the Bureau of Immigration, there are 92,608 Koreans living in the country. In Baguio City alone, they number to about 10,000. The city has also welcomed the opening of Korean stores, schools and churches. The authentic Korean Woodnymphs restaurant has two branches in Baguio City alone : at SM City on Session Road and another at the Military Cut-off Road. It has become a favorite even among Filipinos. In many exclusive villages around Metro Manila, you can find Koreans renting houses, and even putting up small Korean convenience stores or eateries. In Barangay Poblacion in Makati City, Koreans have set up video shops, groceries, salons, bars, spa centers, restaurants, internet cafes and even a hospital. It’s a little Korea in the midst of the business capital. Koreans have even blazed the trail in showbiz, with the surging popularity of Sandara Park, now dubbed as the “Pambansang Krung Krung." Find out more about the "Korean craze" in this week's episode of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho on GMA 7 on Saturday, March 10, 2007. -GMANews.TV