Newly-formed group HORI7ON combines K-pop and P-pop

MANILA, Philippines — What sets the newly-formed HORI7ON apart from other boy groups is that they are a hybrid of the K-pop and P-pop genres, according to MLD Entertainment chief executive officer (CEO) Lee Hyoungjin.

HORI7ON is composed of Jeromy Batac, Marcus Cabais, Kyler Chua, Vinci Malizon, Reyster Yton, Kim Ng and Winston Pineda. The seven-member group was formed through the idol survival competition Dream Maker, a collaboration project of ABS-CBN, MLD Entertainment and Kamp Korea.

They are set to fly to South Korea to be trained to become the next global pop group.

“I think HORI7ON is the group that has the best qualities of what makes K-pop and P-pop groups. So with both of the best qualities of P-pop and K-pop, I think HORI7ON is the only group (and) the first group ever actually to be showcasing both of these qualities to the global world,” remarked Lee through an English translator during the group’s recent contract-signing with MLD, ABS-CBN’s TV Production and Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi, as well as ABS-CBN Business Unit heads Reily Santiago and Marcus Vinuya.

“When we talk about music, the color changes depending on who sings it. And for HORI7ON, being a group that’s a collaboration of K-pop and P-pop, they for sure is going to have their own color. And we are going to do our best so that they can do their own music and their own colors to show to the world. I think that’s going to be the different part for HORI7ON,” he added.

The boys just dropped their music video of Dash, their pre-debut single, composed by Dream Maker Korean mentor and hit composer Bull$eye.

Lee announced that before they go to Korea, HORI7ON members will hold their first fan meeting and do mall shows next month nationwide. The boy group just posted on their social media account that the fan meet will happen on April 22 at the New Frontier Theater.

Lee also divulged that the group was invited to perform at a festival in South America and MLD will introduce them to the American market as well.

“Since HORI7ON is a collaboration of K-pop and P-pop, we want to bring them to the global stage. (So) bringing them to the music market in the US is definitely a must. And our plans right now are to try to promote them around America for this year if possible. We will try and do our best to make them successful all over the world,” said Lee.

In terms of their style and sound, Vinci shared they are “still exploring” and discussing it. “We are still in the ‘processing stages’ sa pagbuo talaga nung magiging sound and style namin as a group. But we have a lot of ideas that we want to show to our fans,” he shared.

“And to the global stage na mga feels like si Jero, he wants very charismatic vibes like EXO. That kind of style. And for our pre-debut, it’s very upbeat. So, I think, we will carry that on to our debut maybe. But nothing set in stone. I hope the fans will look forward to it,” he furthered.

Marcus concurred, “To be honest, I’m like (looking forward) to what’s to come, especially our albums and all that sort of stuff. Of course, just what Kuya Vinci said earlier, I think we are pretty much all in our preparations stage. I mean we are still (on) pre-debut right now so we are just very excited for that.”

“But again, all of us, we already have things in mind and we all have our own creativity. And of course, we just want you guys to look forward to it. I guess, these will just be things to look out for (in) the future. And like what Kuya Vinci said earlier, there is nothing fully set right now, but again I hope everyone will look forward to it,” he added.

As to what the fans can expect from their upcoming album and the message that they want to convey through their songs, Winston said they wanted to “inspire” people to go after their dreams.

“We discussed how we could convey (our message) through our songs and we wanted to inspire people because once a dream chaser, always a dream chaser. Maraming tao yung nangangarap. We want to convey to them that you need to continue to chase your dreams. Kasi pag may hard work and you believe that you can do it, maabot mo siya.”

Winston also shared that winning the Dream Maker competition emboldened them to train harder and give their best always. “To be honest, it was such an honor to be part of the HORI7ON. Ang pinaka-nagbago po talaga sa amin now is, we’ve become eager to train more because we are having this bigger responsibility to represent the Philippines in other countries,” he said.

“And since we are a global pop group, ayan po ang mas nagbago sa amin na mas kailangan tatatagan pa po namin ng mas lalo (we have to stay stronger together) and we have to work harder every day. Medyo mas may pressure na po,” he further admitted.

Kim added that their “brotherhood” has become stronger after what they went through as a group. He said, “We have to be more serious when it comes to training. And then yung pagiging magkapatid namin dito, (mas tumibay ang brotherhood.)”