Philippines and Korea were BFFs before K-pop, K-Wave

Have you ever grooved to Bangtan Sonyeondan's (BTS) beats or captivated by TWICE's astonishing visuals?  

While there's no denying that these K-pop sensations have won over many Filipino fans, here's an interesting fact: Did you know that the friendship between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea (ROK) dates back 75 years? 

They have long had a close and supportive relationship. 

On March 3, 1949, the Philippines officially became the fifth country to recognize the ROK.

From 1950 to 1953, over 1,400 Filipino soldiers, including a young graduate from West Point, Fidel Ramos who eventually became Philippine president, were sent to South Korea to fight for democracy under the United Nations flag. 

Their remarkable contributions are commemorated annually each September at the Philippine Monument in Goyang City and Yeoncheon County. 

In the 1960s, memorials were built at these sites to honor the bravery and courage displayed by Filipino soldiers during the Korean War.

Read more: https://pia.gov.ph/features/2024/03/01/philippines-and-korea-were-bffs-before-k-pop-k-wave