“Kopino” is a combination of the words “Korean” and “Filipino” and a discriminatory term for a child with a Korean father and a Philippian mother. In May 2015, the American newspaper “Wall Street Journal” reported that there are 30.000 “Kopino” children growing up without their fathers in the Philippines. The Korean fathers visited the Philippines for various reasons such as to learn English, to do business or to enjoy a vacation.

In the Philippines, the regulations concerning prostitution are relativetly loose and sexual labor is cheaper compared to Korea and other countries. So Korean men can go easily to the Philippines to have fun with a Filipina without dreading any responsibility. Over the past decade, the prostitution business with Korean men has increased dramatically in the Philippines.

Many Filipinas get pregnant durin a “one night stand” or a short therm relationship because of sexual education for Filipina girls hardly exists. In addition to that, the strict religious culture of the Philippines does not allow abortion. Most of the Korean fathers stop contacting their Filipina girlfriend and their child when they return to Korea. In most of the cases, they also no longer provide financial support. What happened in the Philippines with all its consequences is kept a secret in Korea.

CREDITS

FOTOGRAF*IN: Suhwa Lee

GESTALTUNG: Sebastian Moock

YEAR: 2017

SERVICE: Art direction

FORMAT: 240 x 210 mm

AUFLAGE: 60