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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/entertainment2/04/23/yohan-hwang-042216.jpg"/></figure></div>MANILA - Yohan Hwang, a Korean college student living in the Philippines, took a risk when he decided to abandon his cutesy persona and opted to perform a &quot;serious&quot; ballad like &quot;Wag Ka Nang Umiyak&quot; for his &quot;I Love OPM&quot; grand finals performance. It paid off handsomely, however, as on Saturday he was named the first-ever grand winner of the singing competition that places the spotlight on foreigners who love and sing Filipino music. He won P2 million, a one-year recording contract with Star Music, along with several other prizes. He beat out Pakistan&#x27;s Harris Dio, American singer Ryan Gallagher, and K-pop group J Morning. &quot;Nagpatunay ka ngayong gabi kasi nage-expect kami na pakikiligan mo kami, ise-serenade mo kami pero iyong binigay mong performance sa amin, ramdam na ramdam ko ang bawat salitang binigkas mo. I feel you!&quot; said judge Toni Gonzaga. Lani Misalucha, Gonzaga&#x27;s co-judge, added: &quot;Iyong performance mo kakaiba ngayon, nag-level up ka. At hindi lang iyon, may pinatunayan ka sa aming lahat. Hindi lang ka lang heartthrob, ikaw ay isang singing heartthrob.&quot; Veteran singer Martin Nievera rounded up the comments, praising Hwang for continuing to improve his voice and diction throughout the competition. &quot;You proved to us tonight that Yohan loves OPM!&quot; he said. The winners were based on a combined score from points given by the judges, as well as the public votes.

Yohan Hwang, a Korean college student living in the Philippines, took a risk. And it paid off handsomely.

Korean heartthrob takes first 'I Love OPM' crown

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Korean heartthrob takes first 'I Love OPM' crown

ABS-CBN News

Published April 24, 2016 12:08 AM PHT

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Updated April 24, 2016 02:01 PM PHT

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