The Metropolitan Theater in Manila transformed into a haven for Kdrama and music enthusiasts on June 29th, as the first-ever “OST Symphony: K-drama in Concert” took center stage. Organized by the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) Philippines, in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the event was a harmonious blend of music, culture, and nostalgia for everyone.
The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO), under the guidance of of Maestro Herminigildo Ranera, led the audience on a melodic journey through the soundtracks of beloved Korean dramas. Joining the PPO were Korean singer Gaho, renowned for his soulful voice in “Itaewon Class,” first violinist Kim Mi Jung, and Filipino singers Julie Anne San Jose and Zephanie Dimaranan.
The concert’s repertoire spanned a wide array of emotions and genres, featuring iconic themes from dramas like “Itaewon Class,” “Jewel in the Palace,” “Squid Game,” “Love in the Moonlight,” “Descendants of the Sun,” “Extraordinary Attorney Woo,” “Crash Landing on You,” and “The World of the Married.”
The back-to-back concert commenced with messages from various organizations followed by the OSTs “My Destiny” from “My Love From the Star,” and the heartwarming “You Are My Everything” from “Descendants of the Sun.”
An emotional rollercoaster was hugely felt when the PPO played K-Drama medley who seamlessly weaving together themes from “Squid Game,” “Extraordinary Attorney Woo,” “Hwang Jin Yi,” “Jewel in the Palace,” and “All In.”
Zephanie Dimaranan and Julie Anne San Jose further serenaded the audience with their renditions of “Nagbago ang Daigdig” from “My Guardian Angel” and the English version OST of “You Are My Everything” from “Descendants of the Sun,” respectively.
The second half of the concert transported the audience to the enchanting world of “Love in the Moonlight,” with the PPO performing “Light of Destiny,” “Young’s Waltz,” “Because I Miss You” and Raon’s song.
Gaho then took the spotlight, delivering powerful performances of King The Land OST “Yellow Light,” Start-Up OST “Running,” and Itaewon Class OST “Start Over”. He also went down the stage to interact with the audience during his performance of “Running.”
The concert was not only a musical spectacle but also a testament to the enduring cultural exchange between South Korea and the Philippines as the two countries are celebrating its 75 years of diplomatic relationship this 2024. Distinguished guests, including Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa, NCCA Deputy Executive Director Bernan Joseph Corpuz, CCP President Kaye Tinga, and representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs, graced the event, highlighting the significance of the occasion.
