K-Pop Event Celebrates Philippines-Korea Cultural Ties

The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) hosted the ‘Everyone’s KPOP: Battle of the Champions’ event in Manila on March 4, 2026. The event was a showcase of the country’s growing K-pop community and wider efforts to strengthen cultural ties between South Korea and the Philippines.

The event gathered K-pop dance cover groups, national and international panelists, along with singer Venisse Siy. South Korea’s first lady, Kim Hae-kyung, attended the event and emphasized the role of K-pop in strengthening bilateral cultural exchange.

“Through K-pop, one of the most representative forms of Korean culture, people around the world are becoming friends and learning to understand one another,” she said. The program became a part of diplomacy initiatives while promoting Korean arts and entertainment in Southeast Asia.

Notable K-pop Performances at the Everyone’s KPOP Event

‘Everyone’s KPOP: Battle of the Champions’ featured a competition format that brought together leading Filipino K-pop dance teams, PARADIGM, ALPHA, and MERAKI. PARADIGM won the Battle of the Champions event and received a round-trip ticket to South Korea, and a class pass to 1MILLION Dance Studio.

1MILLION Dance Studio co-founder Lia Kim was also present at the event as a judge. KCC K-pop Academy lead Ciel Oh, a famous K-pop instructor, attended the panel.

Panelist Gwyn Dorado, a renowned Filipino singer, performed her version of singer Yoon Jong Shin’s Rebirth. Siy also performed Golden at the Everyone’s KPOP event. She is the Tagalog-singing voice of Mira from KPop Demon Hunters animated feature.

The 'Everyone’s KPOP: Battle of the Champions' event is part of a series of initiatives undertaken by KCC to promote Korean culture through music, film, language education, and cultural festivals. Such programs also coincide with the rise of K-pop’s global influence, particularly in Southeast Asia.