SB19, BINI and more: Your ultimate guide to P-pop groups

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P-pop has been on the rise in recent years, taking inspiration from the K-pop and J-pop phenomenon which have built a huge following from Filipino fans since the 2000s.

SB19 and BINI have now become household names in the country, but more groups are seeking to follow their footsteps in the music industry.

While some may think that P-pop is merely a copycat of K-pop, our own groups have so much more to offer, if they will only be given the chance.

Get to know the many P-pop groups in the country below.

1st.One

 1st.One

Photo: 1st.One

Debut date: July 31, 2020
Members: Ace, Max, Alpha, J, Joker, Jayson
Fandom name: ForOne
Top hits: "Problem Child," "You Are The One (Ttak Maja Nuh)," "Shout Out" "Dito" "Turn Up"
Must-listen: "Wala ng Iba," "Your Love," "Paalam Na," "Oh," "Dahil sa Mahal Kita"

1st.One are among the new kids to watch out for. Some members of the group trained in South Korea, and some in the Philippines. They are managed by FirstOne Entertainment, a South Korean record label and entertainment agency.

1st.One is also proving to be a global force, as they are the first Filipino artists to perform at the Seoul Music Awards in 2020. Aside from that, 1st.One worked with international creatives for their "Problem Child" music video. It was directed by Korean company CHECK, which has worked with K-pop groups BTS, EXO, and BLACKPINK.

AJAA

 AJAA/IG

Photo: AJAA/IG

Debut date: September 7, 2023
Members: JC, Ash, Alex, Axl
Fandom name: Hanies
Top hits: "Torpe," "Hany," "Bes I Love U"
Must-listen: "Best Day Ever," "Cuppy Cake"

AJAA is part of the new generation of P-pop groups. The rising band's songs and overall aesthetic are reminiscent of the late '90s and early 2000s, and their music tackles themes of young love, just like in their viral track "Torpe."

The members showcased their individual talents at their first anniversary concert at the Robinsons Galleria Atrium in Quezon City.

Alamat

 Alamat/IG

Photo: Alamat/IG

Debut date: February 14, 2021
Members: Taneo, Mo, Tomás, R-ji, Alas, Jao
Fandom name: Magiliw
Top hits: "Maharani," "Sa Panaginip Na Lang," "Day and Night," "Say U Love Me," "Dayang"
Must-listen: "Dagundong," "Gayuma," "ABKD," "Aswang," "Hiraya"

Alamat is that group that makes P-pop music with a purpose. The members are all from provinces of the Philippines, and have various ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

The group is commended for showcasing Filipino culture throughout their music and video concepts, as well as their outfits and choreography, even featuring the tinikling, singkil, and pangalay in the "Maharani" music video.

Their lyrics also tackle themes like colonialism, indigenous culture, and Filipino mythology, and are often sung in the members' languages.

Years after their debut, Alamat continues to captivate Magiliw. They held two concerts at the New Frontier Theater and are set to release a new EP, "Destino," in 2025.

BGYO

 BGYO/IG

Photo: BGYO/IG

Debut date: January 29, 2021
Members: Gelo, Akira, JL, Mikki, Nate
Fandom name: ACES
Top hits: "Tumitigil ang Mundo," "Patintero," "He's Into Her," "Magnet," "Trash," "Gigil"
Must-listen: "Rocketman," "Best Time," "Uuwian," "Laro," "Be Us"

BGYO charms audiences with their songwriting and performance skills. The group is eager to take on the world with their exciting takes on music.

The Aces of P-pop are best known for mixing pop and R&B elements, as well as singing about themes relatable to the Filipino youth, such as self-love, hope, empowerment, and young love.

Since their debut, BGYO has performed in various music events in the Philippines. In 2024, they won the Song by New International Artist award for its "Patintero" at the BreakTudo Awards 2024 in Brazil.

BGYO is also known for their street style. Their photos wearing Louis Vuitton, H&M, and Don't Blame the Kids often trend on social media.

BINI

 BINI/IG

Photo: BINI/IG

Debut date: June 11, 2021
Members: Jhoanna, Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Sheena
Fandom name: BLOOMs
Top hits: "Salamin, Salamin," "Pantropiko," "Karera," "Na Na Na," "Cherry on Top"
Must-listen: "Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi," "I Feel Good," "Lagi," "Born to Win," "Kinikilig"

BINI has truly come a long way from their reality show, long training, and "Da Coconut Nut" days. The eight-member girl group has continually proven that they've got songs that will make even casual listeners bust a move to their tracks.

BINI-mania has hit the Philippines and the world in last year. BINI played sold-out concerts at the Araneta Coliseum and New Frontier theater in 2024. They have also garnered a variety of endorsements for food, fashion and beauty, and stationery brands.

And it looks like BINI-mania is going to continue in 2025, with a concert at the Philippine Arena, a new single, and a world tour happening.

The BINI fever also goes beyond listening to their music and studying their lyrics and choreography. BINI's aesthetic made up of face gems, hair braids, and colorful outfits also made waves as BLOOMs tried their hand at making their idols' signature looks their own.

Cloud 7

 Cloud 7/IG

Photo: Cloud 7/IG

Debut date: August 20, 2023
Members: Lukas, Johann, Egypt, Kairo, Migz, PJ, Fian
Fandom name: RAINBOW
Top hits: "Tara Na," "Tayo Na," "Louder"
Must-listen: "Silipin ang Mundo"

Cloud 7 may have members aged 14 to 18, but their talent and potential go beyond their years. The group under Sparkle and PH Entertainment has a number of singles under their belt, such as the bubblegum pop track "Tara Na," a song perfect for beach getaways. The music video for "Tara Na" currently has 1 million views on YouTube, with more of their videos and songs on the platform also gaining traction.

In 2024, Cloud 7 received the Outstanding Legacy Youth Advocates' at the first-ever People's Legacy Awards. That same year, member Migz has also delved into acting as young Hiroshi in "Pulang Araw."

DIONE

 DIONE/Facebook

Photo: DIONE/Facebook

Debut date: April 7, 2022
Members: Joyden, DK, Clara, Ella
Fandom name: Tali
Top hits: "Bling Bling," "Break You Down," "Paulit-Ulit"
Must-listen: "Runnin,'" "Pangako"

DIONE, also stylized as D1ONE, is a girl group to watch out for. The sibling group of 1st.One already has several singles under their belt, and they show no signs of stopping.

A recent memorable performance was the Eastwood City New Year's Eve Countdown.

G22

 G22/IG

Photo: G22/IG

Debut date: February 25, 2022
Members: AJ, Alfea, Jaz
Fandom Name: Bullets
Top hits: "Musika," "BANG," "Babalik," "One Sided Love," "Boomerang"
Must-listen: "LOKA," "Defy," "I Hate Boys"

G22 is called the Female Alphas of Philippine Pop for a reason. Veering away from the usual bubbly girl group aesthetic, the trio is best known for their edgy looks and bass-heavy tracks. These are all matched with their avant-garde style, plus strong vocals and stage presence that are worth flexing.

G22 is also starting to make waves around the world. They guested on the Chinese reality show "Show It All" hosted by Lay Zhang of Exo, and performed "Babalik" and "Boomerang." BINI was also among the show's guests.

HORI7ON

 HORI7ON/IG

Photo: HORI7ON/IG

Debut date: July 24, 2023
Members: Vinci, Kim, Kyler, Reyster, Winston, Jeromy, Marcus
Fandom name: Anchors
Top hits: "SIX7EEN," "Lovey Dovey," "Dash," "Salamat," "Lucky"
Must-listen: "Meteor," "Odd Eye," "Birthday," "Mama," "Sumayaw Sumunod"

HORI7ON is a boyband that needs to be on everybody's radar. Formed on a reality show, the members were voted in by the public. They also trained in the Philippines before flying to South Korea.

The group is slowly taking over the world with their unique take on mixing P-pop with K-pop influences.

HORI7ON's songs are sung in a mix of Tagalog, English, and Korean. Their Filipino roots are evident in their single "Sumayaw Sumunod," which samples the VST and Company hit, but with the upbeat melody that K-pop is known for.

They have performed in events in Korea and also held solo concerts at the Araneta Coliseum and the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

KAIA

 KAIA/IG

Photo: KAIA/IG

Debut date: April 8, 2022
Members: Angela, Charlotte, Sophia, Alexa, Charice
Fandom name: ZAIA
Top hits: "Dalawa," "Kaya," "Blah Blah," "Turn Up," "5678"
Must-listen: "You Did It," "Walang Biruan," "A Perfect Christmas"

KAIA is a force to be reckoned with. Managed under SB19's former record label, ShowBT Entertainment, the five-member girl group is out to prove that they can create songs that every listener can relate to.

The rising group has tracks ranging from the bubblegum pop of "Walang Biruan," to the empowering "You Did It" and "5678," and even the holiday track "A Perfect Christmas" with Jose Mari Chan.

KAIA is set to take on the international stage, having been named part of the Grammys' 14 Pinoy Pop Acts You Should Know, and MsMojo's Top 10 International Girl Groups to Add to Your Playlist.

MNL48

 MNL48/IG

Photo: MNL48/IG

Debut date: April 29, 2018
Members: 23 members, as of September 2024
Fandom name: MNLoves
Top hits: "Pag-ibig Fortune Cookie," "365 Araw ng Eroplanong Papel," "Aitakatta Gustong Makita," "Talulot ng Sakura," "Ikaw ang Melody"
Must-listen: "Palusot Ko'y Maybe," "Summertime," "First Rabbit," "High Tension," "Gingham Check"

MNL48 made waves as the first P-pop idol group in the Philippines and has been dubbed as the "Pioneers of Modern P-pop." It is the sister group of AKB48 of Japan and has been commended for the members' vocal skills as well as their synchronicity despite the large group.

MNL48 has toured the Philippines and have also played on international stages like TikTok Indonesia's For You Stage, in which South Korean icon PSY, and Indonesian groups UN1TY and JKT48 were part of the lineup.

The idol group is best known for their schoolgirl aesthetic and bubbly pop songs, and they give a Filipino twist to what their Japanese sisters started.

PLUUS

 PLUUS/IG

Photo: PLUUS/IG

Debut date: March 31, 2023
Members: Theo, Gab, Justin, Yen, Haro, JL
Fandom name: SUM
Top hits: "Amigo," "Shining Star," "My Time," "Missing You"
Must-listen: "Universe," "Summotion," "Cross My Heart"

PLUUS is a boyband under SBTown, whose CEO is Geong Seong Han, or Tatang Robin, who was the former president of SB19's previous agency ShowBT Entertainment.

The group has released songs meant for parties, with its influences in the house and pop genres. The boyband, along with their sibling group YGIG, are the first P-pop groups to perform at the Waterbomb Festival 2024 in Incheon, South Korea.

The band's member JL is a contestant on the K-Pop reality show, "Universe League," where the get the chance to debut and go on a new journey in their careers.

SB19

 SB19/IG

Photo: SB19/IG

Debut date: October 26, 2018
Members: Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, Justin
Fandom name: A'TIN
Top hits: "GENTO," "MAPA," "Bazinga," "What?" "CRIMZONE"
Must-listen: "Mana," "I WANT YOU," "Tilaluha," "Ikako," "Nyebe"

SB19 is dubbed the P-pop Kings for a reason. The five-member group spent four years in the idol training system, endured challenges including legal trouble throughout their career, then proved themselves to be a global force.

In recent years, SB19 went on a world tour with a number of sold-out shows. They visited big cities like New York, Chicago, Singapore, Bangkok, and Dubai, among many others. Not only that, SB19 appeared on US morning shows and was featured in JVKE's "Golden Hour."

SB19 stands out with their songs that cover a diverse range of genres, from empowering pop songs, to diss tracks, to sexy love songs, and emotional ballads. Whether it's a fast or slow song, SB19's lyricism never fails to capture their vulnerable states, veering away from generic messages in songs.  

And of course, SB19's charm also comes from their vlogs and TikTok videos, bringing them closer to their loyal fans, A'TIN.

VXON

 VXON/IG

Photo: VXON/IG

Debut date: January 7, 2022
Members: C13, Sam, Franz, Vince, Patrick
Fandom name: VIXIES
Top hits: "The Beast," "Sandal," "SSP (Saksak sa Puso)," "KNT (Kanta ng Tanga)," "P.S."
Must-listen: "MHWG," "Agila," "Lisan," "Dulo," "Kalaw"

VXON has been making a name for themselves in the P-pop scene with their performance skills, stage presence, strong choreography, and empowering song lyrics.

Called the Monsters of P-pop, VXON breaks the mold by showcasing their beast-like energy as seen in their debut single "The Beast." However, the boys also make their fans swoon with their sweet love songs, like the R&B track, "Sandal."

YARA

 YARA/IG

Photo: YARA/IG

Debut date: March 10, 2023
Members: Gelou, Rocher, Christa, Kim
Fandom name: CoCoons
Top hits: "Bakit Papa?" "ADDA," "Eksena"
Must-listen: "Katawan Flow"

YARA is on their way to becoming a known P-Pop group. The girls were memorable for their rendition of the Sexbomb Girls' "Bakit Papa?" in 2023, in which they gave a sexy and modern version of the danceable track.

YARA has dropped three new singles since then.

YGIG

 YGIG/IG

Photo: YGIG/IG

Debut date: November 25, 2022
Members: Vien, Jewel, Hazelyn, Maeg, Alexei
Fandom name: WeGo
Top hits: "Shaba Shaba," "Doob Doob," "BB," "Touchdown"
Must-listen: "IDKY," "Universe"

YGIG, a girl group under SHOWBT, has been known as a group that releases pop tracks that audiences can't help but dance to. YGIG underwent years of idol training and aims to represent the Philippines on the global stage.

The ladies, along with their sibling group PLUUS, are the first P-pop groups to perform at the Waterbomb Festival 2024 in Incheon, South Korea.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News

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