Filipino singers who joined singing competitions in South Korea

Filipino Singers Who Joined Singing Competitions in South Korea

Filipino artists have long been admired for their powerful voices and emotional performances, gaining praise far beyond the Philippines. Rooted in a rich musical tradition, their talent naturally stands out on international stages.

In recent years, several Filipino singers have taken their passion and skill to South Korea, bravely competing in some of the country’s most intense and high-profile music survival shows. Through these competitions, they’ve showcased not only their vocal ability but also the depth of Filipino artistry to a global audience

Here are some of the Filipino singers who joined singing competitions in South Korea:

GWYNETH DORADO

Gwyneth Dorado Photo/s: @dorado_59 on Instagram

Gwyneth Dorado first captured international attention as a child finalist on Asia’s Got Talent Season 1. Years later, she further expanded her global presence by competing in South Korea on JTBC’s survival singing show Sing Again 4, which aired from late 2025 to early 2026.

Throughout the competition, Gwyneth consistently impressed both judges and viewers with her commanding vocals and emotional delivery. She delivered memorable performances of Korean ballads and popular songs, including “I Want You,” which earned one of the highest judge scores of the season at 798 out of 800, as well as “Etude of Memory” and other standout stages.

In the grand finale held on January 6, 2026, Gwyneth secured second place with her performance of “Light Up,” achieving a final score of 3,009.39—finishing just behind the season’s winner, Lee O Wook.

ARABELLe DELA CRUZ

Arabelle Dela Cruz Photo/s: @arabelledelacruzm on Instagram

Arabelle Dela Cruz is currently representing the Philippines on Veiled Cup, a unique singing competition in South Korea where contestants perform anonymously behind a veil, letting their voices take center stage.

Prior to joining the Korean show, Arabelle made waves in the Philippine music scene after finishing as first runner-up on The Clash 2025. She later earned her spot on Veiled Cup by emerging victorious in Veiled Musician Philippines on All-Out Sundays.

Now performing on the Korean stage, the 25-year-old singer—fondly known as the “Laguna Diva”—has captivated both judges and viewers with her soulful, powerful vocals. One of her most talked-about performances is her moving rendition of Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You,” which highlighted her vocal range and emotional depth.

As of late January 2026, Arabelle has successfully advanced to the Veiled Cup Korea grand finals, scheduled to conclude on February 1, 2026.

GARRETT BOLDEN

Garrett Bolden Photo/s: Garrett Bolden on Instagram

Garrett Bolden made his entry into the South Korean music scene after winning Veiled Musician Philippines on All-Out Sundays, a victory that secured him a spot on SBS’s singing competition Veiled Cup.

Performing anonymously under the moniker “Zambales Beast,” Garrett quickly caught the attention of judges and viewers with his rich, soulful vocals. His standout performances—including heartfelt renditions of “Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You” and “Alone”—helped propel him through the competition and into the semi-finals.

He ultimately finished in third place, distinguishing himself as one of the top contenders and one of three Filipino representatives on the show, alongside Arabelle Dela Cruz and Thea Astley.

THEA ASTLEY

Thea Astley Photo/s: Pau Guevarra on Instagram

Thea Astley stepped onto the South Korean music scene after emerging as one of the top winners of Veiled Musician Philippines on All-Out Sundays in November 2025. Her victory earned her the opportunity to represent the Philippines on SBS Korea’s singing competition Veiled Cup.

Performing anonymously under the persona “Manila Storyteller,” Thea highlighted her expressive vocals and engaging stage presence. Her performances resonated with both judges and audiences, allowing her to advance through multiple rounds of the competition alongside fellow Filipino contestants Garrett Bolden and Arabelle Dela Cruz.

JL GASPAR

JL Gaspar Photo/s: @ahof_official on Instagram

JL Gaspar, a Filipino singer and dancer best known as a member of the P-pop boy group PLUUS, made history when he entered the South Korean entertainment scene as the only Filipino contestant on SBS’s Universe League, which aired from late 2024 to early 2025.

Throughout the competition, JL consistently impressed mentors and viewers with his powerful vocals, precise dance skills, and undeniable stage charisma. His growing fan support propelled him to the top of the final rankings, where he secured first place with more than 3 million votes.

In July 2025, JL officially earned his debut as a member of the nine-member global K-pop group AHOF under F&F Entertainment. With this achievement, he became the first male Filipino to rank first and debut from a Korean survival show, marking a major milestone for Filipino representation in K-pop.