If you grew up thinking foreign TV shows, movies, and anime dubbed in Filipino were a little cheesy, the new wave of Korean dramas or K-drama, variety shows, reality TV, and other entertainment from overseas may have already gotten you rethinking that mindset.
K-drama classics most loved in Bisaya
Filipino networks have dubbed foreign shows since the 1960s, when Japanese anime shows such as the classic Astro Boy started becoming popular. More hit anime such as Voltes V in the 1970s and the wave of Mexican telenovelas such as Marimar, and Rosalinda in the 1990s followed Tagalog-dubbed content’s success. K-dramas would eventually follow suit, leading to the massive boom of popularity of Korean culture that many fans still enjoy today.
While Tagalog dubs have long been the norm for many imported content, some platforms today are making strides to further diversify the languages available – opening up foreign content to brand-new audiences and making them more relatable. In particular, Korean dramas have started getting Bisaya dubs, with streaming platform Viu at the forefront of the movement since 2022. Viu’s partnership with leading telco brand PLDT Home has made it more inclusive, allowing customers to avail of a Viu Premium subscription at ₱80 – the lowest monthly rate in the Philippines.
With 18.5 million people in the Philippines alone speaking Bisaya – what more around the world – that’s a lot more Filipinos who get to enjoy and appreciate quality Korean content. Curious which Bisaya-dubbed K-dramas our Bisaya-speaking audiences are enjoying the most these days? These are the ones on the trending list, according to Viu:
Descendants of the Sun
The breakout Korean drama from 2016 – so popular that it even got a local adaptation on GMA7 – is arguably the biggest title to have a Bisaya dub. The award-winning military drama tells the story of Captain Yoo Si-jin (Song Joong-ki) and Dr. Kang Mo-yeon (Song Hye-kyo), who fall in love but not without obstacles including Si-jin’s career and ultimately their moral differences. It’s a riveting love story that touches on deeper and more substantial theme, now open to be appreciated by even more Filipinos.
My Girlfriend is a Gumiho
Another K-drama that became huge in the Philippines, My Girlfriend is a Gumiho now also has Bisaya audio for those who want to rewatch it or those discovering it for the first time. The fantasy-rom-com follows college student Cha Dae-woong (Lee Seung-gi) accidentally freeing a gumiho, a nine-tailed fox straight from Korean myths that saves him from death.
The gumiho turns into a human girl (Shin Min-ah), wanting to become permanently human. Mi-ho the fox then gives Dae-woong superhuman powers to become an amazing actor. The two eventually get together but with an important caveat: Dae-woong will die once Mi-ho becomes fully human.
True Beauty
This funny Korean rom-com from 2020 owes its origins to a popular and long-running webtoon. It stars Moon Ga-young as Lim Ju-kyung, a cosmetologist-dreaming high school student who overcompensates her insecurity about her looks through her amazing makeup skills. The story follows her leading a “double life,” with a naturally handsome athlete on campus Lee Su Ho (Cha Eun Woo) as the only one knowing her secret. Their bonding moments eventually turn into a journey of love- and laughter-filled discovery.
ALSO READ: Viu Original gives a Filipino spin to the K-Drama craze with K-Love
Catch the biggest Bisaya-dubbed K-dramas and more of the hottest Asian content on Viu. Stream each show seamlessly with the fastest, strongest, and most reliable internet connection by PLDT Home.
PLDT Home customers can avail of a Viu Premium subscription for only ₱80 a month – the lowest price in the Philippines. To know more, log on to pldthome.com/viu.
