Daebak! South Korea gives free round-trip plane tickets to all Filipino contestants at the K-pop dance battle in Manila

First Lady Kim Hea Kyung of South Korea with Filipino group Paradigm, the grand champion at the “Everyone’s KPOP: Battle of the Champions” event organized by the the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines Manila in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) on March 4 at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila (Jonathan Hicap)

The state visit of South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung, together with First Lady Kim Hea Kyung, in the Philippines became memorable for Filipino K-pop fans.

On March 4, the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines held the “Everyone’s KPOP: Battle of the Champions” in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila.

It became more special as the first lady graced the event, which gathered four Filipino K-pop cover dance groups to compete for the title of grand champion.

First Lady Kim Hea Kyung of South Korea speaking at the “Everyone’s KPOP: Battle of the Champions” event organized by the the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines Manila in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) on March 4 at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila (Jonathan Hicap)

Joining the first lady were Korea-based Filipino singing sensation Gwyn Dorado, and choreographers Ciel Oh and Lia Kim who acted as judges.

Dorado sang “Rebirth” by Korean singer Yoon Jong-shin which she previously performed on the Korean singing competition TV show “Sing Again 4” that aired from October to January this year. She placed second in the competition.

The competing Filipino K-pop cover dance groups were Alpha, Meraki, Wildcard and Paradigm.

Based on the scores, Paradigm was declared grand champion, winning round-trip tickets to Korea, P50,000 and a dance class pass at the 1Million Dance Studio in Seoul.

First Lady Kim, however, noted that all the competing teams performed well.

“As I watched the show, I was surprised not only by the passion of the participants but also by the audience as well. As I accompanied the President on our State Visit to the Philippines, we have various schedules. But right now, I am the most confused,” she said.

She asked, “Among the four well-performing teams, how can we only choose one team? I don't think it makes sense. Where is our [KCC Philippines] director? How about giving all of our friends a chance to go to Korea?”

The emcee then announced, "Everyone's going to Korea!"

The first lady was happy when she saw the contestants screaming and jumping for joy on stage upon learning that they will receive round-trip plane tickets.

In her opening remarks, First Lady Kim said, ““I recently saw reports saying that the Philippines is the country with the highest level of affinity for Korean culture. I believe that statement is absolutely true. I also heard that many of you today are students who are learning Korean for the special program in foreign language-Korean,” she said.

She added, “It is both fascinating and heartwarming to see your love for Korean culture and the Korean language as well. I hope you will continue studying with the same passion and that one day, you will be able to sing freely in Korean the K-pop song that you love.”

“I understand that the four teams who will soon take the stage are among the best K-pop cover dance groups in the Philippines. I hope this event will be a valuable opportunity to understand each other's cultures through K-pop and build friendship between the Philippines and our Republic of Korea,” she added.

Choreographer Lia Kim (Jonathan HIcap)

Filipino dance group Wildkard (Jonathan Hicap)

First Lady Kim Hea Kyung of South Korea at the “Everyone’s KPOP: Battle of the Champions” event organized by the the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines Manila in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) on March 4 at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila (Jonathan Hicap)

Filipino dance group Paradigm (Jonathan Hicap)

Filipino contestants react after learning that they receive free round-trip tickets to South Korea (Jonathan HIcap)

First Lady Kim Hea Kyung of South Korea with Filipino contestants at the “Everyone’s KPOP: Battle of the Champions” event organized by the the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines Manila in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) on March 4 at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila (Jonathan Hicap)

Filipino dance group Alpha (Jonathan Hicap)

First Lady Kim Hea Kyung of South Korea greeting Filipino contestants at the “Everyone’s KPOP: Battle of the Champions” event organized by the the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines Manila in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) on March 4 at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila (Jonathan Hicap)