Korean trainers are allowing Filipino talents to unlock the key to the triumph of K-pop groups. The five-member SB19 became the first Filipino act trained by a Korean entertainment company and is now making waves on the music scene. The group was hailed as the first Southeast Asian artist to crack the Top Ten of Billboard’s Social 50.
Released on digital platforms via Sony Music, and to the delight of its multitude of impassioned followers, SB19’s debut full-length album Get In The Zone had topped various countries as MTV Asia named SB19 the Artist of the Month.
It only takes time before other local-bred pop groups attain such mainstream success. Besides, P-pop (Philippine pop) troupes have confidently come out of their shells.
The whole idea is to strengthen the Asian pop scene with the emergence of talented, charming groups from all corners of the continent, like the Philippines. It helps that pop groups are ensured with a steady following here. Filipino fans embrace their star power and can determine for themselves what an authentic 21st century pop group is.
Despite the disruption brought about by COVID-19, the transfer of proper discipline made the success of SB19 (composed of Josh, Sejun, Stell, Ken, and Justin) possible.
Other camps are following suit. Star Hunt Academy (SHA), which trains young Filipino girls and boys aged 16 to 19 to become K-pop influenced acts themselves, adheres to the vision of molding their natural talents into a highly standardized form. It’s developing holistically—in body, mind, and soul.
The Star Hunt Academy trainees are undergoing multidimensional training to ensure that right goals are met. Both Filipino and Korean trainers have been guiding them thoroughly, without skipping a beat.
The fans are acknowledging such efforts. When SHA created its Tiktok account last June, its first videos, the Marikit and Bambambam dance challenges, garnered strong positive feedback. Marikit earned 2 million views without sweat and Bambambam quickly took in 540,800 views and counting. These stats reflect their growing fan base, not to mention how active and present they are on social media platforms.
More established local idol groups are set to make significant moves in this new normal, with MNL48 raking up millions of diamonds through broadcasting on Kumu—a livestreaming app growing in popularity among Filipinos. Even if they’re not appearing in live events because of the pandemic, it is through innovations like this where they still get to showcase their charms and talents. There’s Girls’ Love (GL) web series also aired on the app.
Also eyeing to make big waves is 1st.One, a six-member Filipino boy band that won 1st Place-Dance Category at the 28th Philippine-Korea Cultural Exchange Festival held in September 2018. The act was adjudged Grand Winner at the Seoul Music Awards and debuted with the single called “One Dream.”
Simply put, P-pop groups are here to provide the new normal with world-class entertainment.