Rakuten Viki launches Filipino-Korean reality series Kumusta in Seoul

Rakuten Viki has launched Kumusta, a new Korean-Filipino reality series set in Seoul that spotlights Filipino food, hospitality and culture for viewers across Southeast Asia. The show pairs Ji Chang-wook with Filipino stars and Michelin-starred chef JP Anglo to turn a restaurant challenge into a cross-cultural showcase.

Why it matters: - Kumusta is designed as a cultural bridge between South Korea and the Philippines. - The series puts Filipino cuisine, hospitality and talent in front of Korean and Southeast Asian audiences. - The show also gives Ji Chang-wook a different on-screen role and expands Viki’s slate of Asian reality programming.

What happened: - Rakuten Viki launched Kumusta, a new Korean-Filipino reality series centered on Filipino food and culture. - The show features Korean and Filipino celebrities running a restaurant experience in Seoul. - Ji Chang-wook serves as the restaurant’s head server. - The series marks Ji Chang-wook’s first variety appearance since the 2025 revenge thriller The Manipulated. - Viki said the series will stream free on its ad-supported video-on-demand service across Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore.

The details: - Jodi Sta. Maria plays hall manager. - Janella Salvador serves as sous chef. - Francine Diaz works as head server. - Arci Muñoz handles both kitchen and front-of-house duties. - Michelin-starred Filipino chef JP Anglo curated a menu built around Filipino dishes intended to appeal to Korean tastes. - Featured dishes include inasal, kare-kare, bagoong, lechon, pork sisig and gising-gising. - The meals are paired with Filipino-inspired banchan, including dilis, atsara and tokwa't baboy. - The restaurant also serves calamansi juice. - The series includes rotating guest servers Seo In-guk, Kim Myung-soo and Kim Min-seok. - Rakuten Viki described the show as celebrating Filipino hospitality, food and culture through an entertaining cross-cultural experience. - Viki said Ji Chang-wook is known in the Philippines for dramas such as The K2 and Healer. - Viki said the show reveals a warmer and more playful side of the actor as he navigates cultural differences and builds friendships with his castmates. - Viki said the series introduces Korean viewers to Filipino cuisine, traditions and perspectives while showcasing Filipino talent on an international stage. - Viki said the storytelling highlights the growing cultural connection between the two countries.

Between the lines: - Kumusta follows the growing appetite for Korean content in the Philippines by flipping the format and spotlighting Filipino culture for Korean viewers. - The casting strategy mixes a high-recognition Korean lead with well-known Filipino actors and a celebrated chef, which broadens the show’s reach in both markets. - The restaurant setting gives the series a built-in way to turn cultural exchange into entertainment.

What's next: - Viewers in Southeast Asia can watch Kumusta free on Viki’s AVOD platform. - Fans looking for more Ji Chang-wook content can also stream Melting Me Softly and Suspicious Partner on Viki. - Viki is positioning the series as part of its broader effort to connect Asian audiences through original and licensed content.

The bottom line: - Kumusta uses food, celebrity and a Seoul restaurant setting to package Filipino culture for a wider Asian audience.