Kumusta (TV program)

Kumusta
Genre
Directed byPark Nae-ryong
Starring
Country of origin
  • Philippines
  • South Korea
Original languages
  • English
  • Filipino
  • Korean
Production
ProducerCrystal Jacinto
Original release
Network
Release2026 (2026)

Kumusta (also stylized as Kumusta?) is an upcoming Philippine-South Korean reality television and cooking show. The series is produced by a South Korean production team and will be broadcast on TV5 and the streaming platform Viu. The program follows South Korean actor Ji Chang-wook and several Filipino celebrities as they manage a pop-up restaurant in South Korea. The show is expected to premiere in the first quarter of 2026.

Premise

The title of the show is derived from the Tagalog greeting "kumusta", which translates to "how are you?".[1] The show centers on a cultural exchange between the Philippines and South Korea through culinary arts.[2] The cast members temporarily operated a Filipino restaurant named "Kumusta Café" located in the Gangnam District of Seoul.[3] During the production, the cast worked daily shifts ranging from 12 to 16 hours over a period of seven days.[4] The menu featured traditional Filipino dishes such as inasal, kare-kare, sisig, and roasted pig known as lechon.[5]

Cast

The restaurant was managed by a combined cast of South Korean and Filipino personalities.[6]

Production

The program is directed by South Korean director Park Nae-ryong.[6] Crystal Jacinto serves as a producer for the show.[3] Filming took place in Seoul in late 2025.[2] As part of the filming process, the cast purchased local Korean meat from a wet market.[7] The cast also prepared a special meal for South Korean chef and restaurateur Choi Hyun-seok.[4] During one of the filming days, cast member Janella Salvador performed a musical cover of the song "With a Smile" by the Philippine band Eraserheads.[9] Ji Chang-wook participated actively in the kitchen, specifically assisting with the preparation and roasting of the lechon.[1] Following the completion of filming, Ji gifted Sta. Maria a pair of Gentle Monster sunglasses.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b Pascual, Pauline Joyce (28 October 2025). "Ji Chang Wook finds home in Filipino hospitality through 'Kumusta'". Daily Tribune. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  2. ^ a b Purnell, Kristofer (28 October 2025). "Ji Chang Wook joins Janella Salvador, Jodi Sta. Maria in Filipino food show". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  3. ^ a b Marfori, MJ (15 November 2025). "From 'The Manipulated' to 'Kumusta': How Ji Chang Wook is converting non-fans". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  4. ^ a b Posadas, Andrea (10 December 2025). "These Filipino Celebrities Will Headline a New Show With Ji Chang-wook—Here's What We Know So Far". When In Manila. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  5. ^ a b "Ji Chang-wook joins Philippine variety show 'Kumusta' with Korean production team". The Korea Times. 28 October 2025. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  6. ^ a b c Sarmiento, Kate (31 October 2025). "Everything We Know About Ji Chang Wook's Appearance In New Philippine Variety Show". Cosmopolitan Philippines. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Villena, Kyla (12 December 2025). "All the Filipino Personalities Joining Ji Chang Wook in His Upcoming Show". Preview.ph. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  8. ^ Martinez, Lance Joseph (28 October 2025). "Everything We Know So Far About Ji Chang-wook's Upcoming Appearance on a Filipino Food Variety Show". Metro.Style. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  9. ^ Evangelista, Jessica Ann (28 October 2025). "Ji Chang-wook joins Jodi Sta. Maria, Janella Salvador, Francine Diaz in reality show". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
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