Pinoy Seoul (stylized as PinoySeoul) is an online media portal and cultural platform serving the Filipino migrant community in South Korea. Operated by OBRA Incorporated, the platform was established in 2017 to provide useful facts and information about life in Korea. In December 2019, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) awarded the portal the Interactive Media Award for Best Website on Migration, recognizing its service to the Filipino diaspora.
 | |
Type of site | Media portal and cultural platform |
|---|---|
| Owner | OBRA Incorporated |
| Founder | Nash Ang |
| URL | www |
| Launched | 2017 |
History
editThe platform was established in 2017 by filmmaker Nash Ang to provide a dedicated news outlet for South Korea's Filipino migrants.[1][2] Within its first few months, the site registered 5,000 Facebook interactions and 10,000 Twitter followers.[3] An online commercial platform, Pinoy Store, was integrated into the website in 2019 to offer Philippine products, with proceeds supporting community welfare initiatives.[4]
Korea Pinoy International Film Festival
editPinoySeoul organized the Korea Pinoy International Film Festival (KPIFF) in September 2019 at the Arirang Cine Center in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul.[5][6] The program focused on the theme of migration, with 28 films screened during the event,[7] including student works from Mapua University[8] and Victor Villanueva's Saranghe my Tutor.[9] The Philippine Embassy and the Seongbuk District Office co-hosted the festival, which commemorated both the centennial of Philippine cinema and the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and South Korea.[1] The event was the first international Filipino film festival organized in South Korea, serving as a platform to highlight migration stories and cultural heritage.[5][1]
EPS TOPIK Online
editIn 2018, the website introduced EPS TOPIK Online, a digital educational initiative and community designed to assist Filipino workers preparing for the Employment Permit System Test of Proficiency in Korean (EPS-TOPIK) examination.[10] The program provides free online language review courses (known as the EPS-TOPIK Master Class), study guides, and digital tools such as salary calculators.[11] As of 2026, the associated online community has grown to over 200,000 members, serving as a primary digital network for prospective overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) studying Korean.[12]
Pinoy Seoul Radio
edit
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the platform introduced remote services to help the Filipino community cope with regional restrictions. On March 15, 2020, they established Pinoy Seoul Radio. This 24-hour online broadcasting service functioned as a critical communication channel, wherein listeners could avail of public health announcements, quarantine rules, and music.[13] The station subsequently partnered with Good News Pilipinas to simulcast coverage of community relief efforts.[14]
Recognition
editReferences
edit- 1 2 3 Dong-hwan, Ko (April 9, 2019). "INTERVIEW First Philippines film festival in Seoul to tackle 'migration'". The Korea Times. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ↑ "Filipino actor proudly speaks Tausug in Netflix Korean drama". Philstar.com. August 16, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ↑ Redmond, John (January 5, 2018). "Pinoy site launches in Seoul". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on January 5, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ↑ Quilao, Lucky Mae F. (June 13, 2019). "Pinoy in South Korea opens online 'sari-sari' store". GMA News Online. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- 1 2 Jae-lim, Lee (September 26, 2019). "Filipino film fest opens up in Seoul". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ↑ "27~29일 서울서 한국필리핀국제영화제…이주 주제 영화들". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). September 22, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ↑ Quilao, Lucky Mae F. (September 8, 2019). "Pinoy in Korea sets first int'l film fest on migration". GMA News Online. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ↑ Quadra-Balibay, Angie (September 16, 2019). "Mapua University student films on the silver screen in Seoul's 1st Korea Pinoy International Film Fest". Good News Pilipinas. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ↑ "Victor Villanueva's 'Saranghe my Tutor' to be screened in Korea". Cebu Daily News. Inquirer.net. September 21, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ↑ "EPS-TOPIK Online Master Class 2018 by Nash Oppa". Pinoy Seoul. April 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- ↑ "EPS-TOPIK Online Master Class Playlist". Pinoy Seoul YouTube. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- ↑ Ang, Nash (May 2, 2026). "From Seoul to Manila: Building Bridges Through Stories That Matter". Medium. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- ↑ Quadra-Balibay, Angie (March 18, 2020). "Pinoy Seoul Radio online teaches OFWs on social distancing to prevent spread of COVID-19". Good News Pilipinas. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ↑ Dela Cruz, Blesilda (April 20, 2020). "HAPPENING NOW: Good news stories to make Filipinos proud on Good News Pilipinas Live @PinoySeoul Radio". Good News Pilipinas. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ↑ "UP-CIFAL Philippines takes part in screening 2019 Migration Advocacy and Migration Awards entries". UP-CIFAL Philippines. January 6, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ↑ "CFO to Honor 19 Outstanding Advocates and Media Works on Migration". Commission on Filipinos Overseas. December 22, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ↑ Tamondong, Hanna (February 11, 2021). "Meet The Pinoy Filmmaker Based In South Korea Who Starred In 'Arthdal Chronicles'". Cosmopolitan Philippines. Retrieved March 15, 2026.