Rain's TV commercial for shampoo brand, Clear, which was shown in the Philippines.
6. Rain
Who: The first Korean singer turned actor who gained popularity in other Asian countries and the U.S. Time named him as one of its 100 Most Influential People Who Shaped Our World in 2007.
When: Rain first caught the public's attention in 2005 with the airing of Full House on GMA 7.
Why: Though he doesn't have that much "face value," Rain makes up for it by having awesome dance moves and catchy, hip-hop and R&B melodies. He's got the body to boot. Just look at him from the neck down and you'll understand why women go gaga for him.
7. Full House
What: A rom-com drama starring Rain and Song He-kyo. The drama plays out the what-if cliché of a celebrity and a commoner falling for each other.
When: GMA 7 aired the series in 2005.
Why: First off, Rain and Song He-kyo have amazing chemistry, so it's easy to overlook the never-ending push-and-pull catfights between them. Second, the plot is easy on the heart and tear ducts (read: no melodramatic tearjerkers here). Third, the two leads' love-hate relationship and constant cariño brutal are always a surefire winning formula (well, almost always). Do you need more reasons to convince you that this drama is worth checking out?
8. Tony & Jackey
What: One of the first "authentic" Korean salons in Metro Manila.
When: The first branch at Remedios Street, Manila was opened in 2001.
Why: Services are relatively cheap (P300 for a haircut). For Korea-crazy fans, this salon is a must-try if you want to get that "Koreanovela" look–minus the baduy wannabe element.
9. The Face Shop
What: The first Korean beauty brand to come to the Philippines.
When: Its first branch in Manila was launched in July 2006.
Why: With Korean dramas populating our TV screens these days, no wonder women (and men) are dying to emulate their fave stars' looks. The Face Shop boasts products made in Korea (the more authentic, the better!) and attractive displays. Endorsers are comprised of big-name stars such as Bae Young-joon (of Winter Sonata fame), Kwon Sang-woo (see #10) and most recently, Jeon Ji-hyun (who achieved crush ng bayan status with My Sassy Girl).
10. Stairway To Heaven
What: A melodrama starring Hallyu (Korean Wave) stars Kwon Sang-woo and Choi Ji-woo.
When: GMA 7 aired the first episode on February 5, 2004.
Why: Childhood sweethearts, love triangles, mistaken identities, evil stepmothers and sisters, amnesia, terminal illnesses…basically all the elements of a telenovela served on a Korean platter. Need we say more?
Photographs from photos.wondergirlsworld.com, YES! Magazine (2NE1), Noel Orsal of PEP.ph (Sandara Park), Patrick Martires (Tony and Jackey), The Face Shop's Multiply page.
