9 K-Pop Artists You Didn’t Know Were Filipino
Written By Niko Del Rey
K-Pop is one of the most infectious genres to spread around the world starting in the early 2000s. I remember my first time hearing “ the Love Bug” by m-flo loves Boa and I was HOOKED! Fast forward 20 years and K-Pop is bigger than ever, not only spreading its influence to the ears of its listeners but to their voices as well. We are now entering a generation of Filipino-Korean pop artists and I am glad to dive into a list of 9 K-Pop artists you didn’t know were Filipino.
1. TEM5IVE
The first all-Filipino K-pop group TEM5IVE debuted in november of 2016 with their music video for “Miracle”, after signing under JW Entertainment. All born and raised in the Philippines, Sarahn Rayna, Robie, Jyrrah, and Katy, make up all five members of “Touching People’s Heart Emotionally and Mentally” aka TEM5IVE.
2. CHANTY
21-year-old K-Pop artist, Chanty (Chantal Videla), was born to an Argentinian father and a Filipino mother. Chanty grew up in Argentina before moving to the Philippines to pursue a career in acting but eventually made her way to South Korea to undergo training as a K-pop idol. Chanty made her official debut in 2022 with the group Lapillus.
3. DONGYEON OF POW
Dongeyon is a Korean-Filipino member of the K-pop group, POW. Dongyeon participated in SBS’s Survival Show LOUD, and made history as the first half-Filipino and half-Korean male artist on the show. Tracing his lineage to his mother’s hometown, Negros Occidental. Dongyeon was very vocal about his mother’s Filipino upbringing on the show and even took the time to learn a few phrases in Tagalog.
4. CARLYN OF Z-GIRLS
Carlyn was the leader and main vocalist for the girl group, Z-Girls. Z-Girls was originally a cultural project in 2019, attempting to take seven girls from different asian backgrounds to form a professional K-pop group. In June 2021, she announced her departure from the group after revealing she was pregnant.
5. JOSH OF Z-BOYS
Josh is the leader for Z-Boys, another cultural project mirroring Z-Girls. Under Divtone Entertainment, Joshuel Neolle Bautista originally developed his dancing skills as a former member of G-Force, earning him the title as main dancer of Z-Boys in addition to being the lead vocalist. Although he grew up in Kuwait, he received his bachelor's degree from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.
6. WEI YANG OF 021
Half-Chinese and half-Filipino 30-year-old, Wei Yang, was formally the leader of 021. They debuted in 2016, releasing one single “SHOW ME”, unfortunately disbanding in 2017. Most of the members went on to participate in “Produce 101” a chinese reality show aiming to create an eleven-member girl group.
7. KRIESHA CHU
After gaining popularity and fame as the runner up on the Korean reality show “K-Pop Star 6”, Filipino-American, Kriesha Chu released her debut single “Trouble” in 2017. She currently represents Urban Works Entertainment and is originally from Cebu City.
8. BELLE OF CIGNATURE
Born to a Korean father and a Filipino mother, Belle (real name Hyeon Jun Jin), is the lead vocalist and lead dancer of the Korean girl group, Cignature, formed by J9 Entertainment. Belle first gained fame as a member of the girl group, GOOD DAY, until being named a new member of C9 Entertainments next girl group, Cignature.
9. DOK2
Owner of Illionaire Records, Korean rapper and producer, Dok2, is one of the most influential artists in Korean hip hop. Lee Joon-Kyung, globally known as Dok2, was born to a Korean mom and a Filipino-Spanish dad. Fun fact, he is also cousins with former Pussycat Dolls lead singer, Nicole Scherzinger who is also Filipino.
Filipino names are truly some of the most diverse names you’ll ever come across. Our last names alone can have Spanish influence, Chinese influence, and in some cases American influences due to the involvement of the U.S. during World War II.
Read More