Filipino TikTokers Making Korean-related Contents: An Interview

    Let me show you some of the Filipinos who abruptly gained thousands of followers and millions of likes on TikTok because of their love, passion, interest in Korea and most especially to the Korean language. I requested Korean-related content creators Ben-Hur and Mhay for a very short interview and I got to ask them questions! It is really an honor to be receiving responses from them and I am so excited to share their stories to our Korea.net readers and Korean language learners not just from the Philippines, but also from around the world. Now, let’s get to know them!

Ben-Hur Justine Soriano Misola is a 24-year-old Filipino from Antipolo City, Rizal, Philippines.  As a TikToker [@benhurmisolaa], Ben-Hur uploads videos of his skits in Korean. His first video that got 1.4 million views was a trend that he tried while speaking in Korean during the end of February 2021. Receiving such huge support from a lot of Korean language learners, he then uploaded another content showing his amazing Korean language skills on the first week of March 2021 and extraordinarily received 830.3 thousand likes and, well, 6.3 million views! With this unbelievable support, Ben-Hur decided to continue uploading Korean language contents on TikTok and he has now 143.2K followers and 3.8M likes! How great is that? Let’s get something more of his story. 

1. When and how did you start to learn the Korean language?

"I was introduced to K-Pop when I was a 2nd year high school student last 2011. I realized that aside from the music, I fell in love with the Korean culture as well. Thinking that learning Korean language was just as important as learning English, I decided to learn Korean on my own until I met a Korean master who taught Taekwondo for free last 2012. I joined his Taekwondo classes and started practicing the Korean language with other Korean-national Taekwondo practitioners. I never missed a single day attending the classes for about 8 years. Gladly until now, I still have good communication with my Korean teammates and master."

2. Since when did you start uploading Korean language contents on TikTok?

"Early this year, I decided to be active on Tiktok and started uploading videos flexing my body since I really appreciate my work out journey as I am an athletic person. However, I tried to upload a video of me speaking in Korean. I was in total shock because for only less than 30 minutes, the video reached 100k+ views. That was the time that I thought Filipinos were indeed into K-drama and that I should use my Korean speaking skill as my content instead."

3. What motivated you to continue sharing Korean language contents on TikTok?

"Having supporters who are inspired to learn other languages kept me motivated. Seeing comments that they were also inspired by me to learn not only Korean language, but some other languages as well, made my heart melt."

4. How does the Korean language benefit you?

"The Korean language benefits me a lot. Many doors of opportunities have opened to me such as bilingual call centers, Korean-English academies, and more. Also, as a Hotelier, knowing different languages such as Korean help improve my communication skills especially when it comes to speaking with Korean guests. Lastly, as a Filipino, it is a lowkey flex of showing that we Filipinos are smart."

    

    Now let's get to know Mhay!

Mhay Calalo is a 29-year-old Filipina from Batangas, Philippines but now residing in South Korea for five years. She is working as a Factory Worker and she’s also a TikToker [@mhaycalalo] and YouTuber [TEAM CALALO]. She is active in TikTok and currently has 365.3K followers and 4.2M likes. Wow! Mhay uploads videos about Korean language especially when her followers request them. But most of the time, she posts contents about how people can apply to be a factory worker in Korea. Mhay also uploads mini vlogs about how her daily life goes in South Korea. Her videos give inspiration to a wide range of Filipinos as she is able to speak the Korean language and live in the Land of the Morning Calm.

1. When and how did you start to learn the Korean language?

"I started to learn the Korean language last December 1, 2015 when I enrolled at a Korean Language Center in Batangas."

2. Since when did you start uploading Korean language contents on TikTok?

"I have been uploading videos more about how to apply as a factory worker in Korea but I started to upload Korean language contents last May 2021. Unfortunately, for some reason, I stopped uploading Hangeul contents after three months and focused more on creating contents showing information about EPS TOPIK, how I live my life as a factory worker in Korea, showing South Korea’s beautiful places, and more."

3. What motivated you to continue sharing Korean language contents on TikTok?

"I was motivated by hundreds of people commenting on my TikTok videos who were asking a lot of questions about Korean language. Even before when I just started applying for work in South Korea, there were already a lot of people flooding me queries."

4. How does the Korean language benefit you?

"Since I am already in Korea, learning the Korean language gives me lots of benefits. I can easily communicate with the Korean locals and I am able to use the language for different purposes."

    For the Filipinos who love the Korean language, let us check out their social media accounts so we can learn Hangeul as well since October is also commemorated for the Hangeul Proclamation Day. As there are no boundaries when it comes to learning languages, have fun learning not just Korean but to any language you desire as well.

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