Korean Movies Filmed in the Philippines

We have probably seen and admired tons of Korean movies. But did you know that some Korean movies were filmed in the Philippines?  Here ar...

We have probably seen and admired tons of Korean movies. But did you know that some Korean movies were filmed in the Philippines? 

Here are 5 Korean movies filmed in the Philippines. Pro tip:You can still visit these locations and recreate scenes from these films!

1. Romantic Island (2008)

Hangul: 로맨틱 아이랜드
Cast: Lee Sun-kyun (이선균), Lee Soo-kyung (이수경), Lee Min-ki (이민기), Eugene (유진), Lee Moon-shik (이문식), Lee Il-hwa (이일화)

Directed by: Kang Cheol-woo

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Six Koreans from Seoul travel separately to the Philippines: a middle-aged couple on their first trip overseas with the terminally ill husband plotting to kill himself while on holiday so his unsuspecting wife can claim an insurance payment; a convenience store clerk who meets a runaway pop star; and a happy-go-lucky office worker who gets hired as a tour guide by a rich businessman who came to pay his respects to his estranged dead father. (Wikipedia)

The film was entirely shot in the Philippines, with major scenes filmed in Boracay, Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Binondo, Manila.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport

Boracay

 

Binondo

2. Tropical Manila (2008)

Hangul: 트로피컬

Cast: Jerald de Vera, Kim Su-nam (김수남), Maries Chanel Rebucas, Marife Necesito

Directed by: Lee Sang-woo (이상우)

Genre: Drama

A Korean man, who fled his country 15 years ago after committing murder, is set to return to Korea after the statute of limitations has lapsed. His Filipino wife begs the man to take his half Filipino son with him, but he refuses. A confrontation is then set to ensue between the father and son. (AsianWiki)

95% of the film were shot in Manila.

3. Hindsight (2013)

Hangul: 푸른소금

Cast: Song Kang-ho (송강호), Shin Se-kyung (신세경), Chun Jung-myung (천정명), Lee Jong-hyuk (이종혁), Kim Min-jun (김민준), Youn Yuh-jung (윤여정), Kim Roe-ha (김뢰하)

Directed by: Lee Hyun-seung (이현승)
Genre: Action

Doo-Hun (Song Kang-Ho) is a retired gangster boss who confronts a mysterious woman named Se-Bin (Shin Se-Kyeong). Se-Bin is a 20 year old assassin sent to kill Doo-Hun. Things become more complicated when the retired mob boss and sexy assassin start to develop feelings for each other. (AsianWiki)

Hindsight included scenes filmed in Hadsan Beach Resort, Mactan, Cebu.

4. No Breathing (2013)

Hangul: 노브레싱

Cast: Lee Jong-suk (이종석), Seo In-guk (서인국), Kwon Yu-ri (권유리)

Directed by: Jo Yong-sun (조용선)
Genre: Sports, Youth

Set in the world of competition swimming. Woo-Sang (Lee Jong-Suk) is a national swimmer. He pursues the number one spot. Won-Il (Seo In-Guk) is gifted swimmer, but stopped participating in the sport. He then makes a come back. (AsianWiki)

In the part that they went overseas for training, they flew to Davao, Philippines. Included locations are Marco Polo Hotel, Aldevinco Shopping Center, the Pearl Farm Resort in Samal Island, and the Davao del Norte Sports Complex in Tagum City.

 

And last, but definitely not the least...

5. Master (2016)

Hangul: 마스터
Cast: Lee Byung-hun (이병헌), Kang Dong-won (강동원), Kim Woo-bin (김우빈)

Directed by: Cho Ui-seok (초의석)

Genre: Action

An intellectual crime investigation team goes after company Won Network. The company is involved in a massive fraud case.

Kim Jae-Myung (Gang Dong-Won) is the leader of intellectual crime investigation team. He is smart, charismatic, aggressive and bold to lead the intellectual crime investigation team.

President Jin (Lee Byung-Hun) is the president of Won Network. Park Jang-Goon (Kim Woo-Bin) is the Section Chief of Won Network. He is the brains behind Won Network. (AsianWiki)

Master included scenes taken at Binondo, Intramuros, Bulacan, Cebu.

Philippines is not just a food destination, but it is slowly becoming a filming location favorite. These movies showed Koreans a glimpse of the Philippines. Which of these movies have you seen? Which places shown in these films have you been to?