Believe it or not, K-Pop had already breached through Philippine pop culture during the early 2010s. That’s before the rise of BTS, BLACKPINK, and all the other famous K-Pop groups and artists now.
If we’re putting it in the correct timeline, that era would have been when 2nd generation K-Pop groups became popular. Groups like Super Junior, Girls Generation, Wonder Girls, SISTAR, 4Minute, 2NE1, SHINee, and etc . each had their own image, signature sound, and appeal to fans.
And, despite how Filipinos during this era would view K-Pop as “cringe” or whatnot, K-Pop music still reached the Filipino public, became hooked to it, and eventually became a part of a niche part of Filipino pop culture.
If you’re going through your adulting stage now, I’m pretty sure you can remember the ‘Nobody by Wonder Girls’ era.
Idk if wondergirls is one hit wonder but nobody had every filipino christmas party on a chokehold https://t.co/Jn9JVaKE4B pic.twitter.com/vJ9raoVBQt
— Ima ぢくへど (@Authen___tt) January 7, 2023
As such, here are the most popular K-Pop songs during the early 2010s that got everyone into a chokehold.
Gangnam Style – PSY
The Boys – Girls’ Generation
Ma Boy – SISTAR19
I GOT A BOY – Girls’ Generation
Sorry, Sorry – Super Junior
Gentleman – PSY
Bonamana – Super Junior
Give it to me – SISTAR
Oh! – Girls’ Generation
Hot Issue – 4MINUTE
Fire – 2NE1
LUCIFER – SHINee
I am the Best – 2NE1
Fantastic Baby – BIGBANG
Electric Shock – f(x)
Ring Ding Dong – SHINee
Tell Me – Wonder Girls
Gee – Girls’ Generation
The queens that shaped 2010 Filipino pop culture: Wonder Girls, with “Nobody”
You’re saying you didn’t ever listen to K-Pop at all while growing up? Well, you’re wrong. Obviously you’ve heard “Nobody” by the Wonder Girls on repeat. (And probably had to learn the choreography to it, too).
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