Filipino singer Gwyn Dorado has left a lasting impression on the Korean public after her participation as a contestant on the singing competition TV show “Sing Again 4.” 

During the competition, which aired on Korean channel JTBC from October to January, Dorado, 21, wowed the judges and earned praise on social media for her powerful voice in addition to her singing in Korean. 

“Sing Again” is a music audition TV show that gives singers a second chance to sing again on stage. “Sing Again 4” started with 81 contestants last October. 

In the final episode of “Sing Again 4” on Jan. 6, Dorado and Korean contestants Lee Oh-wook, Kim Jae-min and Slowly were the finalists. 

Dorado’s dazzling performance of the song “Light Up” earned her a score of 799 (a point shy of a perfect score of 800), which became the highest score in the show’s history. 

Of the 799 score, seven celebrity judges gave her perfect scores of 100: Lim Jae-beom, Baek Ji-young, Kim Eana, Taeyeon of Girls’ Generation, Lee Hae-ri, Code Kunst and Super Junior’s Kyuhyun. Yoon Jong-shin gave her 99. 

She got a total score of 1,580 points from the judges for her cover and new songs in the finals to rank first among the four.  

Filipino singer Gwyn Dorado performing "Light Up" on "Sing Again 4" (Screenshots from JTBC videos on YouTube)

Gwyn Dorado received a score of 798 out of 800 for her performance of the song "I Want You" on "Sing Again 4" (Screenshots from JTBC video on YouTube)

The celebrity judges of "Sing Again 4" (Photo from JTBC)

Gwyn Dorado performing "Light Up," which received the highest score of 799 out of 800 (Screenshots from JTBC video on YouTube)

The final winner was determined by a combination of the judges' scores for the cover song and new song (30 percent), song streaming score (20 percent), early online voting scores (10 percent), and real-time text and online voting scores (40 percent). 

Many were rooting for her to win but when the scores were added, it showed her placing second to winner Lee Oh-wook by a margin of only 41.67 points. Lee Oh-wook edged her out in early and live text and online voting, which accounted for 50 percent, and streaming, while Dorado was first in the judges' scores.   

While she did not win, Dorado was very happy to reach the finals, the first Filipino singer to do so. 

Videos of her performances on “Sing Again 4” have racked up millions in views on YouTube. 

The top 7 contestants, including Dorado, recently appeared on the Korean TV show “Knowing Bros” on JTBC. 

In an exclusive interview with Manila Bulletin, Dorado discussed her experience on “Sing Again 4” and her plans for a singing and songwriting career in Korea, including releasing her own album. 

Dorao is signed under Korean agency AO Entertainment. She said she is very grateful to the agency for taking care of her. 

She also revealed the Korean artists she wants to collaborate with, favorite actor and K-drama. 

Dorado studied at the University of Santo Tomas Education High School and is currently under UP Open University. 

Filipino singer Gwyn Dorado in "Sing Again 4" (Screenshot from JTBC video on YouTube)

"Sing Again 4" emcee, actor and singer Lee Seung-gi (left) with Filipino contestant Gwyn Dorado (Screenshot from JTBC video on YouTube)

Filipino singer Gwyn Dorado in "Knowing Bros" (Instagram)

MANILA BULLETIN: How would you describe your overall experience in “Sing Again 4”?

Gwyn Dorado: “I guess overall experience po, hindi pa po rin ako makapaniwala, dahil everything happened so fast. In a span of what, I think about six months, siguro from starting kami nag-taping from August to December. So yeah, in a span of six months, ang dami po nangyari. We were only given like one or two weeks to every round, para lang mag-practice. So every day was just a challenge for me. And hindi pa rin po ako, everything hasn't sunk in, kumbaga po. (I guess overall experience, I still can't believe it, because everything happened so fast. In a span of what, I think about six months, maybe from starting when we did taping from August to December. So yeah, in six months, a lot happened. We were only given like one or two weeks to each round, just to practice. So every day was just a challenge for me. And I still haven't, everything hasn't sunk in, so to speak)." 

MANILA BULLETIN: From your first audition up to the finale, you kept impressing the judges. What did you feel?

Gwyn Dorado: “Kumbaga parang, ‘ha’? Posible pala yun? Ganun pala, ganun pala yung reaction nila. I never expected na maging ganun po reaction nila. At the same time, you know, I always thought na every time I came on stage, I felt like, ah, sayang, may kulang akong... Nafi-feel ko sa sarili ko na, ah, may kulang po ako. Pero, I really...I'm really grateful na the judges appreciated it and they got what I was trying to portray, they got what I was trying to say through my song. Kaya sobrang, sobrang grateful lang po ako sa nangyari. (It’s like, ‘huh’? Is that possible? That’s how it was, that’s how they reacted. I never expected that their reaction would be like that. At the same time, you know, I always thought that every time I came on stage, I felt like, ah, sorry, I’m missing something… I feel like, ah, I’m missing something. But, I really…I’m really grateful that the judges appreciated it and they got what I was trying to portray, they got what I was trying to say through my song. So I’m just so, so grateful for what happened).

MANILA BULLETIN: Among the songs that you performed, which was your favorite? 

Gwyn Dorado: “My favorite, I guess, pinaka recent is yung ‘Light Up’ kasi sobrang saya. It felt like it was my own performance talaga na I wasn't that nervous kumbaga. Parang, ah, kaya ko to like I could treat this as my performance, as my stage. Parang yun yung nafeel ko sa ‘Light Up’. (My favorite, I guess, the most recent one is 'Light Up' because it's so much fun. It felt like it was my own performance, and I wasn't that nervous. It's like, ah, I can treat this as my performance, as my stage. It's like that's what I felt in 'Light Up.'). 

“Pero in terms of preparation and in terms of talagang favorite, I guess it would be yung ‘Rebirth’ nung fourth round. And so, that performance was really fun, kasi bagong challenge sa 'kin yung pag-jazz. And the people around me, my friends, talagang…first time ko kasi mag-jazz, so I really asked a lot of help from a lot of people. Kumbaga it didn't feel like it was my own doing. It felt like I was bringing the whole team and sabi ko during that stage na I have to do well for them, to be proud or for their efforts not to go to waste. (But in terms of preparation and in terms of really favorite, I guess it would be 'Rebirth' in the fourth round. And so, that performance was really fun, because doing jazz was a new challenge for me. And the people around me, my friends, really...it was my first time doing jazz, so I really asked a lot of help from a lot of people. I guess it didn't feel like it was my own doing. It felt like I was bringing the whole team and I said during that stage I have to do well for them, to be proud or for their efforts not to go to waste)." 

MANILA BULLETIN: Which comment from the judges was most memorable for you? 

Gwyn Dorado: “I guess yung sinabi ni Code Kunst. Sabi niya na every song that I sing, it felt like me saying it to a person. Kung baga it's not just hindi lang po ninanamnam yung lyrics but actually saying it to someone, to someone special. So I guess tumatak po yun sa akin kasi yun po talaga yung naging goal ko from the start na hindi lang singing for myself but singing it to someone else, dedicating it to someone else .(I guess what Code Kunst said. He said that every song that I sing, it felt like me saying it to a person. Maybe it's not just enjoying the lyrics but actually saying it to someone, to someone special. So I guess that really stuck with me because that was really my goal from the start, not just singing for myself but singing it to someone else, dedicating it to someone else)." 

MANILA BULLETIN: During the finale, when the winner was announced, what did you feel when you got second place? 

Filipino singer Gwyn Dorado with celebrity judge Kim Eana (center) and fellow contestants Lee Oh-wook, Kim Jae-min and Slowly (Instagram)

Filipino singer Gwyn Dorado with "Sing Again 4" judge Code Kunst (center) and fellow contestant Kim Jae-min (Instagram)

Gwyn Dorado (Instagram)

Gwyn Dorado (left) with "Sing Again 4" celebrity judges Taeyeon and Lee Hae-ri (Instagram)

MANILA BULLETIN: So, when did you start singing?

Gwyn Dorado:  “I started singing professionally, siguro like mga nine years old bago mag ‘Asia's Got Talent.’ Pero yun talagang singing na, that time kasi parang out of tune pa ako, you know, as a kid. Pero I think all Filipinos started singing when they were what, three or four? So yeah, same lang, same lang po.(I started singing professionally, maybe like nine years old, before doing 'Asia's Got Talent.' But that was really singing, because at that time I was still out of tune, you know, as a kid. But I think all Filipinos started singing when they were what, three or four? So yeah, just the same, just the same)." 

MANILA BULLETIN: How did you train to sing?

Gwyn Dorado: “Yung pag-training, I've had my coach for about eight years na, vocal coach ko sa Philippines, coach Jojo. Pero before that, nung ‘Asia’s Got Talent,’ I used to have a different coach. I don't know if you remember this, pero si Center for Pop [Music Philippines].  Yes, that was my first ever. Doon po ako sumali. And after that, nag-’Asia's Got Talent’ na ako. After ‘Asia's Got Talent,’ I got, you know, personal coach din po noong time na yon. But yeah, kumbaga... They were helping me a lot during my career. Pero I guess what helped me the most then is being here sa Korean company na to [AO Entertainment]. That they gave me the space to practice everyday na alam mo yun, parang it felt, parang ano din, nine to five. Pero kahit na nine to five, me as a trainee, as a nagpa-practice na singer, hindi kasya ang nine to five. Parang gusto ko pang everyday. Parang eto na nga yung bahay ko e. Parang ganun ba yung feeling. So yeah, it's practice that's been my repetition, that's been my friend, din.

("The training, I've had my coach for about eight years, my vocal coach in the Philippines, coach Jojo. But before that, during 'Asia's Got Talent,' I had a different coach. I don't know if you remember this, but it was the Center for Pop [Music Philippines]. Yes, that was my first ever. That's where I joined. And after that, I did 'Asia's Got Talent.' After 'Asia's Got Talent,' I got, you know, a personal coach at that time. But yeah, they helped me a lot throughout my career. But I guess what helped me the most was being here at this Korean company [AO Entertainment]. That they gave me the space to practice every day, you know, it felt like nine to five. You know, it felt like nine to five, me as a trainee, as a singer who practices, nine to five is not enough. I just want it every day. It's like this is my house. It's like that feeling. So yeah, it's practice that has been my repetition, that has been my friend too).” 

MANILA BULLETIN: Does musical talent run in your family? 

Gwyn Dorado: “I would say, iyon dad ko kasi sa ano, ewan ko, like, siguro they will be shy about this. Pero my dad joined the university choir before. And so, my dad knows a thing or two about singing. Tapos, siya naging first coach ko. Pero hindi coach na formal ha. But, yeah. After that, I also, kumbaga, I graduated from ‘YouTube University.’  Yes, marami po akong natutunan sa YouTube."("I would say, it's my dad because of what, I don't know, like, maybe they will be shy about this. But my dad joined the university choir before. And so, my dad knows a thing or two about singing. Then, he was my first coach. But it wasn't a formal coach. But, yeah. After that, I also, like, I graduated from ‘YouTube University.’  Yes, I learned a lot from YouTube)." 

MANILA BULLETIN: How did you end up in Korea? 

Gwyn Dorado: “Ayun, during Covid kasi nag-write po ako ng songs. And one of my songs would be ‘Why Do We Love?’ Yung ‘Why Do We Love?’ po na yun, naging viral po sya sa TikTok and Spotify. And so, because of that song, nakita po ng Korean company [AO Entertainment] na we really want to get you as an artist. We had meetings for a few months. And we knew that we could trust them. Tapos, my mom and I flew here to sign the contract.  I think that was two years ago. So starting noon, nakita ko yung space na I can see myself practicing here every day, staying here every day." ("Well, during Covid, I wrote songs. And one of my songs would be 'Why Do We Love?' That 'Why Do We Love?' went viral on TikTok and Spotify. And so, because of that song, the Korean company [AO Entertainment] saw that and said we really wanted to get you as an artist. We had meetings for a few months. And we knew that we could trust them. Then my mom and I flew here to sign the contract. I think that was two years ago. So starting then, I saw the space where I can see myself practicing here every day.)"

MANILA BULLETIN: What was your goal when you signed the contract? 

Gwyn Dorado: “Actually, yung goal po nun is to be trained as a singer-songwriter. And gusto ko po talaga i-continue yung career ko as a singer-songwriter. In Korean din po, and at the same time. Kasi during Covid, super nagustuhan ko po yung mga OST ng K-dramas. So sabi ko, I wanna go to that path. And at first, I didn't expect to learn Korean, and sing in Korean, or to write even in Korean. Kasi medyo matagal pa yung process to actually write lyrics in Korean.  Pero my goal here was to practice and to just get the experience of being a singer-songwriter in another country. And maybe soon later, even go to the western music industry and hone my talent. So yeah, that has been my goal. [In Korea], I did like once or twice na performance. Pero more than that, I was really focusing on training talaga dito sa company na ‘to. Kung baga, it wasn't like a training na parang eto gawin mo, eto gawin mo, and stuff like that. Pero they really just gave me the free will to be an artist, to be a singer-songwriter na. We even had meetings na, okay, so what do you wanna do? Magsusupport lang sila. And so yeah, so they just gave me the space to practice.” 

("Actually, the goal is to be trained as a singer-songwriter. And I really want to continue my career as a singer-songwriter. Also in Korean, and at the same time. Because during Covid, I really liked the OSTs of K-dramas. So I said, "I wanna go down that path." And at first, I didn't expect to learn Korean, sing in Korean, or even write in Korean. Because the process to actually write lyrics in Korean is quite long. But my goal here was to practice and just get experience as a singer-songwriter in another country. And maybe soon, I will even go to the Western music industry and hone my talent. So yeah, that has been my goal. [In Korea], I did like it once or twice. But more than that, I was really focusing on training here at this company. As it was, it wasn't like a training, like do this, do this, and stuff like that. But they really just gave me the free will to be an artist, to be a singer-songwriter. We even had meetings, okay, so whatdo you wanna do? They will only support. And so yeah, so they just gave me the space to practice)." 

The top 7 contestants, including Gwyn Dorado, of "Sing Again 4" in "Knowing Bros" (Instagram)

Filipino singer Gwyn Dorado (left) with "Knowing Bros" cast member and comedian Kim Young-chul (Instagram)

The top 7 contestants, including Gwyn Dorado, of "Sing Again 4" in "Knowing Bros" (Instagram)

MANILA BULLETIN: Who thought of you joining 'Sing Again 4'? 

Gwyn Dorado: “Yung ‘Sing Again’ na yon, we as a company saw yung ‘Sing Again’ na they had auditions. So sabi ko, why don't we try it? Kasi we don't know what's gonna happen. Baka I could sing in English. Ang pinaka una ko pang ano is, baka we could sing in English. Pero it's a Korean show. So I had a few months pa naman to train to sing in Korean, and I remember the first round, sobrang hirap ng, imbes na kanta ang mahirap, kasi yung kanta kahit i-repeat mo for a few times, you can get your muscle memory going in. Pero pagdating sa interview, ang hirap po nung first round para sakin. Pero as we go up the round, nakikita ko na nag-improve na rin po yung aking Korean naturally.”

(“That 'Sing Again', we as a company saw 'Sing Again,' that they had auditions. So I said, why don't we try it? Because we don't know what's gonna happen. Maybe I could sing in English. My first thing was, maybe we could sing in English. But it's a Korean show. So I still had a few months to train to sing in Korean, and I remember the first round, it was so hard, it was more difficult than the song, because even if you repeat the song a few times, you can get your muscle memory going. But in the interview, the first round was hard for me. But as we go up the round, I see that my Korean has improved naturally)." 

MANILA BULLETIN: Was your first performance on “Sing Again 4” also your first audition? 

Gwyn Dorado: "That's the first round sa TV. May preliminary round. Tapos, kumbaga, we never thought to, hindi ko din po ini-expect naman (That's the first round on TV. There's a preliminary round. Then, I never thought about it, I didn't expect it either)." 

MANILA BULLETIN: How did you learn the Korean language? 

Gwyn Dorado: “For the first six months, it was kind of nice, kasi sabi, wow, I'm learning a lot of stuff. Pero after that, you start to get frustrated. Parang, ito yung gusto kong i-achieve, pero hindi ko ma-achieve. May mga ganong moments. But I learned Korean through, kasi ako mahilig po akong mag-write ng anything. So everyday, meron akong nara-write na diary. So, it transitioned from writing in English lang to English and Korean, and then it started to become all Korean. So, yun, diary really helped me. And then, yung diary na yun, syempre chinicheck ng aking teacher, my one-on-one teacher. And then, you know, kung ano yung mali, eto yung ganyan, siya mag-checheck. More than that, ang nakatulong talaga sa akin is through ‘Sing Again 4,’ na the people around me were just talking in Korean, and so I had to. Kumbaga, I had to force myself to actually study the language. Kasi, kung ikaw, diba po, parang, gusto mong makipag-usap sa kanila, pero kung hindi, medyo ma-frustrate mo ba yun? So, ako din, ayoko pong ma-frustrate, kaya I just really wanted to study the language and the culture.” 

(“For the first six months, it was kind of nice, because they said, wow, I'm learning a lot of stuff. But after that, you start to get frustrated. It's like, this is what I want to achieve, but I can't. There are moments like that. But I learned Korean through it because I love writing. So every day, I would write a diary. So, it transitioned from writing only in English to English and Korean, and then it became all Korean. So, that diary really helped me. And then, that diary, of course, my teacher, my one-on-one teacher, would check it. And then, you know, if it's wrong, that's how he would check it. More than that, what really helped me was through 'Sing Again 4,' where the people around me were just talking in Korean, and so I had to. I had to force myself to actually study the language. Because if you're right, it's like, you want to talk to them, but if not, wouldn't that be a little frustrating? So, I don't want to be frustrated, so I just really wanted to study the language and the culture)." 

MANILA BULLETIN: Dorado’s family flew to Korea to watch the finale of “Sing Again 4.” What was it like living in Korea away from your family? 

Gwyn Dorado: “Pero kasi during ‘Sing Again’ was like the toughest time of my life. Everything, kumbaga, usually kasi kapag may mga tough times, I'm usually with family. Pero, that time talaga wala, so medyo mahirap. Tapos, during the first and second rounds, I couldn't talk to them. Kasi, you know, I wanted to... Yung pronunciation. So, it was really tough. So, I felt like those six months were like, what, five years. Parang ganun po yung nafeel ko. Kaya seeing them for the first time ulit after sa finale was really rewarding. It was like a trophy (But ‘Sing Again’ was like the toughest time of my life. Everything, I mean, usually because when there are tough times, I'm usually with family. But that time there wasn't so it was pretty tough. Then, during the first and second rounds, I couldn't talk to them. Because, you know, I wanted to... The pronunciation. So, it was really tough. So, I felt like those six months were like, what, five years. That's how I felt. So seeing them for the first time after the finale was really rewarding. It was like a trophy)."

MANILA BULLETIN: After the “Sing Again 4” finale, did you celebrate with your family? 

Gwyn Dorado: “Yes, nag-celebrate kami. Nag-celebrate kami ng, you know, we just ate everything. We went to Seoul, kung ano-ano ginawa namin, nag-shopping din. Yeah, we just spent family time talaga like together. We wanted to do that. Kasi they were only there for a week. And then, alam po nila kasi after that, after the finale, na magiging busy na. So they really, we really wanted to savor the moment (Yes, we celebrated. We celebrated, you know, we just ate everything. We went to Seoul, and wherever we went, we also went shopping. Yeah, we just spent family time really together. We wanted to do that. Because they were only there for a week. And then, they knew because after that, after the finale, it would be busy. So they really, we really wanted to savor the moment)." 

MANILA BULLETIN:  What are your career plans after “Sing Again 4”?

Gwyn Dorado:  We have the ‘Sing Again' nationwide tour concert. February until May pero it could extend, it could go, you know, further. Pero, yun, after that, we were thinking of, you know, putting an album, sana makapag-release ng album, and hopefully go on entertainment shows. Actually, dream ko nga makapunta kay Park Bogum's TV show. Yung mga ganong entertainment shows sa Korea, I really wanna go to. And, you know, interviews, and more…letting the audience know who I am as a person (We have the 'Sing Again' nationwide tour concert. February until May, but it could extend, it could go, you know, further. But, after that, we were thinking of, you know, putting out an album, hopefully being able to release an album, and hopefully going on entertainment shows. Actually, I dream of going to Park Bogum's TV show. Those entertainment shows in Korea, I really wanna go to. And, you know, interviews, and more...letting the audience know who I am as a person)." 

MANILA BULLETIN:  Definitely you're going to pursue a singing career in Korea. 

Gwyn Dorado: “Yes, yes, of course. Singer-songwriter po ang aking career. Outside of Korea, for now we're focusing on Korea, pero if outside of Korea, we're also targeting the western music industry, kung makapasok man po kami. And yeah, that's what I want to do.(Yes, of course. My career is singer-songwriter. Outside of Korea, for now, we're focusing on Korea, but if we can enter the western music industry, we're also targeting it. And yeah, that's what I want to do)." 

MANILA BULLETIN: Do you have any plans to go back to the Philippines for a show or for just a visit?

Gwyn Dorado: “Yeah, I've heard a lot from the fans. Actually, miss ko na din po yung mga fans sa Pinas and my family rin. But yeah, I do have plans din po to go back to the Philippines. Hopefully, kasi since may nationwide tour, medyo mahirap nowadays. But hopefully, after a while, na makapunta po ako sa Pinas. Maybe during, you know, the ‘Sing Again 4’ concert na kung may time lang to go back to the Philippines, maybe what, three or four days, to do some events. So sana makapunta po ako (Yeah, I've heard a lot from the fans. Actually, I miss the fans in the Philippines and my family too. But yeah, I also have plans to go back to the Philippines. Hopefully, because there is a nationwide tour, it's a bit difficult nowadays. But hopefully, after a while, I can go to the Philippines. Maybe during, you know, the 'Sing Again 4' concert, if there is time to go back to the Philippines, maybe for three or four days, to do some events. So I hope I can go)." 

MANILA BULLETIN: Which Korean singer do you want to work with? 

Gwyn Dorado: “I always say it sa shows, pero si Lee Young-ji or si 10cm. Kung sino po. And si Lee Young-ji, actually, is a rapper and a comedian. So I want to collaborate with her soon (I always say it on shows, but Lee Young-ji or 10cm. Whoever it is. And Lee Young-ji, actually, is a rapper and a comedian. So I want to collaborate with her soon)." 

MANILA BULLETIN: Who is your favorite Korean actor? Your favorite Korean drama

Gwyn Dorado: "Actor siguro is Park Bogum. And pinaka naging recent na favorite ko is yung ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines.’ It's been my favorite. It's really different, pero I've watched a lot of K-dramas back then, lalo na nung Covid (The actor is probably Park Bogum. And my most recent favorite is 'When Life Gives You Tangerines.' It's been my favorite. It's really different, but I've watched a lot of K-dramas back then, especially during Covid.)"

MANILA BULLETIN: What is your favorite Korean food? 

Gwyn Dorado: "I guess you could say, I don't know if food pa talaga to, pero it's the pickled radish na yellow. Sobrang sarap. Like, I could partner it with literally anything. That's my favorite food. (I guess you could say, I don't know if it's really food, but it's the yellow pickled radish. It's so delicious. Like, I could partner it with literally anything. That's my favorite food)." 

MANILA BULLETIN: What is your message to your fans and supporters?

Gwyn Dorado: “To my fans, sa mga sumuporta po sakin, maraming maraming salamat po. I could feel your love and support and your warm welcome all the way here in Korea. I've received a lot of love from you, and sobrang grateful ko na kahit na I'm doing shows here in Korea, kahit sa malayo po ako, nag-nag event and nag-show na continuous pa rin po yung support nyo from all around the world, from the Philippines. Also, mga OFWs here in Korea, mga OFWs back in the West,. Kaya, I'm really grateful na nakikita ko po yun, and na napi-feel ko yun. So every time that I step on stage, I remember all those love and support, and that warm welcome, and bring it on stage.” 

(“To my fans, to those who supported me, thank you very much. I could feel your love and support and your warm welcome all the way here in Korea. I've received a lot of love from you, and I'm so grateful that even though I'm doing shows here in Korea, even though I'm far away, I've held events and shows, the support you have from all around the world, from the Philippines, is still continuous. Also, OFWs here in Korea, OFWs back in the West,. So, I'm really grateful that I can see that, and that I can feel that. So every time that I step on stage, I remember all those love and support, and that warm welcome, and bring it on stage)."