By Isabel Miller
Outside of K-pop, several other key genres of music originating from Southeast Asia have been making waves internationally. One of them is P-pop, born from the Philippines. Leading its rise is boy band SB19 – who come to San Antonio with the intention of showcasing exactly why that is.
When the Korean Wave stretched beyond home soil, one of the first countries to recognise its potential was the Philippines. South Korea comedian Jung Sunghan established the talent agency ShowBT Philippines Corporation to harness the growing popularity of K-pop, and searched for local talent willing to undergo a K-pop-inspired training regime. A new agency, training system, and intensive, tumultuous preparations resulted in the formation and debut of SB19 in 2018.
Success was in no way immediate. Stell, Josh, Justin, Pablo, and Ken dragged the group from the brink of disbandment on multiple occasions in their early days post-debut, before finally achieving their breakthrough with a viral dance video of their second single “Go Up” in 2019. They appeared on local television shows, hosted live performances, won breakthrough awards, and were swiftly signed by Sony Music Philippines in recognition of their potential. In the years that followed, each single and EP released by the group shot to virality one after the other, landing them international appearances and a debut on U.S. television.
In 2023, SB19 established their own company 1Z Entertainment. An increased level of creative control has kept Filipino culture at the forefront of every SB19 release, which has become even more important as the group conquers international music markets. In July of this year they became the first Filipino artist to perform at Lollapalooza Chicago, and that opportunity came precisely because they refuse to sacrifice their cultural roots and unique, hybrid K-pop and Filipino sound for the sake of unfamiliar audiences. SB19 are destined for bigger and better international stages – and KPOPWORLD Festival is giving you the chance to see them early, as one of the event’s headliners.
SB19’s initial music relied on solely dance-pop stylings, but over time, the group has expanded their catalogue across pop, hip-hop, EDM, R&B, reggaeton, disco, rock, and dream-pop. Versatility has become a key factor in their performances. Additionally, leader Pablo has been involved in the songwriting process for the entirety of SB19’s career, and with that comes a depth built upon the members’ own experiences and belief in what the group present on stage.
Expect a set that cannot be defined; K-pop-inspired choreography, a strong stage presence, emotional vulnerability, and a representation of the variety of art that has emerged from the Philippines. On the KPOPWORLD Festival stage, SB19 represents the power of music to blend global cultures and transcend language barriers beyond the increasingly normalised prominence of K-pop.
The musical range of SB19 encompasses the group’s entire discography, but three key songs offer a brief introduction.
“GENTO” is a hard-hitting, viral P-pop anthem that gained international acclaim for its sharp choreography and empowering message. A thumping bass drives the song, and a combination of hip-hop elements and the use of flute showcases the group’s belief in experimentation.
“I WANT YOU” is a smooth R&B-infused pop track that displays a different side to SB19 using a romantic, longing theme, and remains a fan-favourite.
“LAWLESS,” SB19’s most recent release, is driven by ambition, with a narrative expressing the intention to break mental and societal borders as well as generic limits.
SB19 has been hailed as the most celebrated P-pop group of their generation, and they are still on the rise. As an event designed to shine a spotlight on the variety of talent born from K-pop’s meteoric rise, the KPOPWORLD Festival line-up would be incomplete without their headlining set.