Julian goes K-Pop

MANILA, Philippines - Julian Trono joins the K-Pop bandwagon by adopting its system that has successfully launched the careers of famous Korean artists. Julian can now claim as the first Filipino talent who trained under the K-Pop system and debuted in Korea via the primetime variety show Show Champion of MBC. JU Entertainment and Music Contents, Inc. has partnered with GMA Records for this venture.         

“I was overwhelmed because it’s a Korean company and by (the idea of getting into the) international market,” recalls Julian of his initial reaction when he learned about the good news. “I was also nervous. I had gotten excited as we got along. I had my training. The discipline, among many things, got me excited. I saw how I had improved in dancing and singing.”

Julian shares that K-Pop system is used to nurture K-Pop groups and idols. Talents will undergo “three to four years of training” before they debut as artists. Their knack for dancing and singing is extensively honed. The system is different from the prevailing workshop-rehearsal-based training given to most local artists, who have finally secured their first showbiz break. 

According to GMA SAVP for Alternative Productions and assigned talent manager Gigi Santiago-Lara, the Kapuso talent trained every day for almost a year (last year). This was just for the single titled Wiki Me. “That’s why when we see K-Pop idols, polidong, polido sila (they are well-prepared, well-polished),” she says.

Julian doesn’t disappoint in his first foray into recording. His vocals and moves are “polidong-polido.” He blends well with Korean rapper One (pronounced Won) and other supporting cast members in the music video. Julian shows the well-studied performance of a K-Pop artist and the onscreen charm of a Pinoy talent. The Wiki Me MTV was shot in Korea, which afforded Julian the chance to meet K-Pop idols like Four Minutes, visit their studios and listen to their pieces of advice. He had witnessed the dedication K-Pop idols put into their training.

JU Entertainment and Music Contents, Inc., which has partners in Korea, joined Julian in this trip. Jeff Son is the director and in-charge of content production, Dayna Chung is the team manager, while Jack Kim is the composer of Wiki Me. Using the K-Pop system, the company is also trying to work with other artists in other countries to expand its market.

Some of the highlights of Julian’s sojourn to Korea were an interview for Arirang TV’s morning news magazine Korea Today, another interview in TV Chosun and a debut appearance in Show Champion, where he performed Wiki Me. This legitimized Julian’s K-Pop system training. The partners of GMA Records had only good words for Julian’s showing in Korea. Julian is invited for a TV special later this year. “They were very nice, very welcoming, which is very encouraging for us,” says Gigi.

What will fans look forward to after Julian’s debut in Korea?

Julian and camp clarify that he is not Korea-bound, so to speak. He is using the K-Pop system to make a mark in the local entertainment scene and get the nod of Pinoy K-Pop fans. However, they are not closing their doors on the possibility of Julian making it to Korean and international markets. Many up-and-coming artists of Chinese and Japanese lineage had made a name for themselves in Korea. Meantime, Philippines is Julian’s priority. He will do drama on the side, while attending to another K-Pop system training for a sophomore single.  

“There’s more to learn,” says Julian of his training. “They are very strict when it comes to dancing. (They are particular with) details, they would video (the dance) and check it out (the steps) inch by inch. I would repeat (the routine over and over again). Yung disiplina at yung perfection yun ang mahirap (The discipline and the level of perfection were challenging). I’ve learned a lot like work ethics. It was really fun.”

As for his fans, they have also embraced this change in Julian, “There was no odd feeling,” says Julian, whose Korean management wants him to keep the Filipino “vibe” in his styling, and not get into colorful, bling-heavy outfits.

“I’m very privileged,” Julian says. “Marami nang K-Pop trainees before parang first time lang (na may) nag-debut (There were many K-Pop trainees before but it was first time that someone made a debut). Kumakanta naman po ako, hindi naman ako sintonado, kumakanta sa mga mall shows (I sing in mall shows. I think I’m not out of tune). Ito lang po talaga ang nag-nurture at lumabas na talaga ang boses ko (The system has nurtured my voice).”

With his feel-good, catchy Wiki Me, Julian seems to be on the right path. Whether the career move is leading him to Korea or some Asian territory, it is something showbiz watchers have to wait and see.