If you’re a Filipino K-Pop fan, you know how exciting it is when your favorite idols touch down at Manila International Airport for a visit. But did you know that these 10 K-Pop idols actually used to live in the Philippines before they were famous?
1. Cha Eunwoo (ASTRO)
When ASTRO’s Cha Eunwoo was in fourth grade, he lived in the Philippines for 6 months to study English at an elementary school. His English name is Felix.
2. Jay (iKON)
Before he debuted, iKON’s Jay lived in the Philippines for seven months as a high schooler. He once referred to it as “my country” and said he loves Manila.
3. Hwall (formerly of The Boyz)
When Hwall was younger, he lived in the Philippines for four whole years. While he learned English, his English name was Leo.
4. Sandara Park (2NE1)
When former 2NE1 member Sandara Park was 10, she moved to the Philippines with her family because her father had business there. As a result, she speaks English and Tagalog. She even started her music career there when she participated in a 2004 talent show, and is still very popular in the Philippines to this day.
5. Yaebin (formerly of HINAPIA and PRISTIN)
While she was still in PRISTIN, Yaebin (formerly known as Rena) told fans at a fanmeeting that she used to live in the Philippines for a few years, which explains her great English skills.
6. Lou (VAV)
VAV’s Lou moved around the world in his youth. As a child, he lived in Atlanta, USA, and when he was around 17 or 18, he moved to the Philippines.
7. Yoohyeon (Dreamcatcher)
When Dreamcatcher’s Yoohyeon was younger, she also spent time studying English in the Philippines. Her English name is Rachel.
8. Gahyeon (Dreamcatcher)
Dreamcatcher’s Gahyeon also studied in the Philippines as a child. Her English name is Lucy.
9. Hyeyeon (formerly of Gugudan)
When Gugudan’s former maknae Hyeyeon was younger, she lived in the Phillipines for a year.
10. Hightop (formerly of BIGFLO)
Hightop once revealed that he knows some English because he lived in the Philippines for two months.
11. Kriesha Chu
Kriesha Chu was born in Makati, Philippines and lived there until she was two years old, when she moved to San Francisco, California, USA. She is still able to speak both Bisaya and Tagalog.
12. Kino (PENTAGON)
Kino studied English in the Philippines for three months, stating that he only used English during his time there. He also professed his love for the country in an interview!
Honorable Mention: Belle (Cignature)
While she was born in raised in the Philippines, Belle is half-Filipino! Her mother is from The Philippines and her father is Korean. She admitted that she never really learned how to speak Tagalog because she was raised in Korea.
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