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JinHo Bae on content creators doing ‘Poverty Porn’ in the Philippines

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Alyana De Guzman

Push Team

<p>South Korean content creator JinHo Bae has spent most of his life in the Philippines, building a career that bridges Korean and Filipino culture while earning a loyal following along the way. </p><p>Having moved to the country at the age of seven and having lived here for 24 years, JinHo has become familiar not only with Filipino culture but also with the conversations surrounding foreign creators who feature the Philippines in their content. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/5/14/relationship-expert-coach-vee-shares-some-advice-create-bonding-and-memories-out-of-the-bedroom-1940" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Relationship expert Coach Vee shares some advice: ‘Create bonding and memories out of the bedroom’</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>In an interview with <em>Hot Takes, </em>JinHo spoke candidly about the controversial topic of “Pinoy Baiting”, a strategy often associated with foreign content creators producing material specifically designed to attract Filipino audiences. </p><p>“All my answers cannot represent all creators or all Koreans but based on my opinion, I wouldn’t say it is one hundred percent false. Meron din talagang [Pinoy Bait],” he said.  </p><p>The content creator admitted that accusations of “Pinoy Baiting” are not unfamiliar to him, especially as someone whose content frequently highlights Filipino and Korean experiences. He recalled previously discussing the topic with a fellow Korean creator and acknowledged how easily foreign personalities become targets of criticism. </p><p>“Pag ako sinasabihan nila ng Pinoy Baiting, sinasabi ko ‘Jusko para lang mang-bait tumira ako dito ng 24 years? Grabe naman ang plano ko?’ Seven years old pa lang [iniisip ko nang] i-Pinoy bait ‘tong bansa na ‘to? Sasakupin ko ‘tong bansa na ‘to? Ano ‘yun? Diba parang OA naman ‘yan.”  </p><p>“Before, I had to defend myself. During my early content creation days, kailangan ko pa ipaliwanag. Pero ngayon, pinagtatanggol na ako ng mga Pinoy. I’m very happy with that,” he added.  </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DS72dFOkr6s/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=642&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A6236681.799999952%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="913" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:658px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>JinHo acknowledged the reality of digital content creation, where analytics and audience engagement naturally influence what creators choose to produce. He maintained that making content audiences enjoy does not automatically mean creators are being insincere. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/4/30/charlie-dizon-on-being-labeled-siga-amid-double-standards-in-showbiz-1354" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Charlie Dizon on being labeled ‘siga’ amid double standards in showbiz: ‘Feeling nila nakaka-lalaki ako’</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>But while he understands the demands of online platforms, JinHo drew a firm line when discussing what he calls “Poverty Porn”, a practice that exploits the living conditions of impoverished people to make strong emotional responses from an audience.  </p><p>“Pero naiinis din kasi ako minsan sa – I don’t know if you guys would agree – diba meron tayong tinatawag na ‘Poverty Porn’.” </p><p>According to JinHo, his concern lies not with showcasing the Philippines itself, but with creators who repeatedly focus only on Filipino impoverished communities while turning hardship into content. </p><p>“Dun ako nao-offend kapag ‘yung creator na yun [ay] always showing that side of the Philippines.” </p><p>“[There’s] a lot, not just Korean creators but foreign creators in general. Na parang sa halagang five-hundred [pesos] ie-expose niya yung mukha ng mga bata. Syempre yung mga bata na yan hindi naman nila alam,” he maintained.  </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="815" height="458" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M-FHFjvZPLk" title="Hot Takes Episode 8: “Philippines Ang Nag-Nurture Sa Akin” featuring JinHo Bae" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/4/18/sofia-andres-chooses-to-stay-grounded-amid-comparisons-in-showbiz-be-humble-0821" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Sofia Andres chooses to stay grounded amid comparisons in showbiz: ‘Be humble’</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>JinHo questioned whether proper consent is truly being secured in these situations, especially when vulnerable communities are involved. For him, this mindset, which treats poverty as a shortcut to viral content, is where the real problem begins. </p><p>“Were they asked for proper consent? Ayoko nung prenotion na ‘Since mahirap yung pupuntahan natin, basta bigyan mo ng five-hundred [pesos] a-agree yang mga yan’ Yun yung mindset na ayoko that is inside some foreigners’ brain.” </p><p>“Yun yung tinatawag ko na Pinoy Bait. I hate it. Whether anong society class, always be polite [and] always ask for consent.” </p><p>He underscored that money should never be treated as permission or ownership over another person’s dignity. </p><p>“Throwing a couple of papers (money) won’t buy them. Yun yung ignorance na ayoko.” </p><p>While JinHo refrained from naming specific personalities, he ultimately placed the responsibility in the hands of viewers, encouraging audiences to be discerning about the content they support. </p><p>“I guess nasa mata niyo na po yan. Ifi-filter out niyo na lang po kung sino ang totoo sa hindi,” he maintained.  </p>

<p>South Korean content creator JinHo Bae shared his candid thoughts on the growing conversation around “Pinoy Bait” and “Poverty Porn,” stressing that while creators naturally make content that resonates with audiences, respect and proper consent should never be compromised. </p>

South Korean content creator JinHo Bae shared his candid thoughts on the growing conversation around “Pinoy Bait” and “Poverty Porn,” stressing that while creators naturally make content that resonates with audiences, respect and proper consent should never be compromised.

JinHo Bae on content creators doing ‘Poverty Porn’ in the Philippines: ‘I hate it’

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JinHo Bae on content creators doing ‘Poverty Porn’ in the Philippines: ‘I hate it’

Alyana De Guzman,

Push Team

Published June 01, 2026 10:38 AM PHT

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JinHo Bae

Hot Takes

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Poverty Porn

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