Korea

Marianne: A Lady Enchanted With Korea

A lot of Filipinos love Korea, its music and its Koreanovelas. But if there’s one person I know whose love for Korea and everything Korean is beyond astonishing, it would be Marianne.

How I got to know Marianne is a story no longer uncommon in this digital age. She sent an FB friend invite. I saw we had one mutual friend and her timeline was full of adoration about Korea and some Korean actors. I found no harm in accepting her fb invite. She just kept on liking my posts until I saw her plans of coming over to Seoul. I offered to tour her around Digital Media City (DMC), the area I live in and which I am proud to introduce to friends and family.

Moving forward to her visit here at DMC with her friends (Cess, Yen-yen, Charish, Edlyn, Cindee) from the Philippines, I was immensely happy seeing them beaming with happiness after OCN’s “Black” lead actor, Song Seung Heon, waved to them while driving his car. No kidding! He was on a break from a shoot. Ironically, they were shooed away by the crew moments before the actor waved because… well, they were shrieking fangirls, hahaha! That was one of the highlights of their trip!

She first visited Korea in 2012 and has come back six times since then! It’s an annual journey she never gets tired of. I got genuinely interested in Marianne’s story so I decided to get to know her better.

She hails from Tacurong City, in Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao.

What attracts you to Korea?

“First it was because of my “obsession” to KPop and later on KDramas. But I think it was really SUPER JUNIOR why I decided to visit South Korea in 2012. My love for them was so strong that I really wanted to visit their coffee shops (Kona Beans, Mouse Rabbit, Tous Les Jours, KStory).”

When was the first time you came to Korea?

“A friend just invited me to come with her last December 4, 2012. I never imagined that on that day, a dream came true. We used the Manila- Busan International Airport route than the usual Manila- Incheon International Airport route because the price was cheaper. It was winter time and never imagined that it was really that cold hahaha. And for the first time, I’ve seen snow!!!”

How many times have you visited Korea?

I have been to Korea SIX TIMES! Yes, you’ve read it right. People are asking me why Korea, and I answered them “I love to be there”.

  • First: DECEMBER 4-12, 2012
  • Second: NOVEMBER 11-18, 2014
  • Third: NOVEMBER 4-11, 2015
  • Fourth: NOVEMBER 18-29, 2016
  • Fifth: NOVEMBER 20- DECEMBER 1, 2017
  • Sixth: APRIL 30- MAY 8, 2018

Which countries have you traveled to aside from Korea?

“Before my travel to Korea, I have been to Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.”

Why do you keep on coming back?

“Hmmm..a very difficult question to answer. Hahahaha. But I really fell in love with the place. I always felt so at home in Seoul. It always gives me this feeling of happiness, no loneliness and sadness and I really don’t know why.”

What are the changes you have seen through the years?

“On my annual visit, I actually didn’t see too many changes because probably I kept coming back on the same month and season. Hahaha.”

What is your favorite spot?

“Myeongdong will always be my favorite spot. I can be there all day long without even noticing time. Too much KPop/KDrama merchandises plus the awesome Korean cosmetics that I love. Not to forget shoes and socks. Outside Seoul, I really love coming back to Jeonju where my cousin resides with her Korean husband and 2 kids.”

Are you still coming back?

“Absolutely YES if given a chance. Hahahaha. Hopefully, winter of 2019 again. I really love coming back every winter since the weather here in the Philippines is way too hot.”

Marianne’s current Korean love is Park Bo Gum 박보검 ! If only she gets to see him…

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11 thoughts on “Marianne: A Lady Enchanted With Korea

  1. I am not into Korean thing bec. I am a patriotic Filipino but reading this that you already gone to Korea for 6x makes me wonder what’s in there that the eyes and soul should see. I definitely would put this on my list.

  2. I really feel I am a Korean in my previous life. From food to dramas to kpop and idols, I know them all. Only that I am still not able to visit the place because uh well, family priorities. Still hoping that I can visit the place in the future!

  3. I think she also sent me a friend request before. I remember interacting with her in Facebook Comments. I’d love to meet her in person too! Feeling ko super magkakasundo kami haha!

  4. As early as 13 years old, Hallyu caught me off guard. I became a part of the Wow Korea supporters and Korea net which made me study a lot of Korean contents from then on. I enjoy reading stories of Filipinos with the same passion and interest as I have.

  5. I can relate to her! Also i have so much korean friends who shared their culrures with me that i found lovely and adorable! I honestly got a korean friend before all korean novela hype started or even before kpop songs become popular.

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