By Kang Seung-woo
Multicultural Family Music Broadcasting, run by Woongjin Group, broadcast live Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's meeting with his fellow Filipinos living in Korea, Sunday.
Duterte, who arrived in Korea earlier in the day for a three-day visit, attended the event in Seoul to commemorate the 120th anniversary of Philippine Independence Day, where he was hailed by the Filipino community here, comprised of workers, students, professionals, missionaries and marriage migrants.
According to the Woongjin Foundation, the music broadcasting program streamed it live Facebook page to the world after it obtained permission to do so by the Philippine Embassy in Korea.
Woongjin began broadcasting the music program as a communication tool to help foreign residents here settle stably in the country and overcome their homesickness.
Currently, the 24/7 program is available in eight languages -- Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Thai, Japanese, Mongolian, Arabic and Russian -- through 22 channels on six media -- internet, satellite broadcasting, internet protocol TV, cable TV, smart TV and smartphone.
The programs are about Korean culture and traditions and provide daily tips on life in the country, news about the eight countries it covers, Korean-language classes and K-pop for foreign residents and people overseas.
According to the foundation, the broadcasts for multicultural families have been emerging as a must-do item among foreigners in Korea, as evidenced by the combined number of listeners that neared 50 million as of last month.
On the back of its success, the broadcasting of multicultural music has won the Migration Advocacy and Media Awards three times in 2011, 2015 and 2017.
The prize was conceived in 2011 by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas to recognize the significant role of the media in raising public awareness of issues related to Filipino migration, the challenges of migration and development, and advocating the cause and promoting a positive image of Filipinos overseas.