In an interview with Headliner Manila, JP and Yukito—who were both part of the top 4 finalist of Viu’s reality show, “Hello K-Idol”—talked about their experience in training under RBW Entertainment. The agency which houses Mamamoo, Vromance, Oneus, Onewe, and Purple Kiss.
JP said, “Sumali kami sa isang reality show. ‘Yun nga, kami [ang] nakapasok sa top 4. Which is nag-trainee kami sa RBW Entertainment.” Yukito then added that being a “trainee” under the company was a huge “culture shock,” attributing to the difference between Korean entertainment and the Philippine entertainment in terms of process and system.
Yukito explained, “Kagaya dito sa Philippines, more on flexibility, basta makaya mo ito, ganun. Sila kasi perfectionist. So, lahat ng ginagawa namin: mapa-singing, dancing, rapping, or kung ano man. Lahat ‘yun dapat perfect doon sa structure ng system nila. So, kailangan dapat sumunod. Everyday doon nagro-rotate ang buhay namin.”
Yukito has been an extra and even portrayed minor roles in teleseryes here in the Philippines. He also tried modeling and have been in different commercials for brands. Still, he decided to pursue a career in P-POP for this reason: “Iba kasi yung calling kapag nagpe-perform ka mismo na mas na-sho-showcase mo ‘yung sarili than just projecting something.
Yukito was also part of the cover group ZeroToHero (Z2H); the group represented the Philippines at the Korean Cover Dance Festival 2015. Due to his love for singing and dancing, he was able to find a “home” via Press Hit Play (PHP). He said, “Dumire-derecho ako sa P-POP until I met Press Hit Play.”
Another member, Chrls, also trained in Korea. He won a competition under JU Entertainment, and was also a finalist in tvN’s K-pop Star Hunt Seasons 1 and 2.
He narrated, “Sobrang unforgettable [‘yung experience]. Doon sa audition day, nakakakaba. Kasi nationwide audition. Ayun nga, luckily, I was picked to be the winner, no? After the finals night, ayun, na-experience ko ‘yung Korean idol system of training na sobrang sulit. Ang dami talagang natututunan from singing, songwriting, dancing, yung iba naman sa rapping, mga ganun. Talagang na-a-apply namin siya sa ginagawa namin [ngayon].
Watch and listen to their song, “Tell Me”:
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