HORI7ON, K-pop’s first all-Filipino boy band, made their debut in Seoul on Monday, officially starting their journey as a global pop group. The group, consisting of seven members named Vinci, Kim, Kyler, Reyster, Winston, Jeromy, and Marcus, came together through the Filipino TV audition program “Dream Maker,” which was a collaboration between MLD Entertainment and Filipino TV broadcaster ABS-CBN. They underwent 100 days of intense training, known as “K-training,” which is the pre-debut process every K-pop idol goes through.
The debut media showcase for HORI7ON was held at the Olympic Hall in Songpa-gu, Seoul, a venue usually used for concerts rather than press conferences. Later in the evening, the band conducted a fan showcase at the same location. During the event, Vinci, the group’s 23-year-old leader, greeted the journalists in English and expressed their excitement at finally debuting. The group mostly spoke in English throughout the event.
HORI7ON introduced themselves to the K-pop scene with their first studio album, “Friend-Ship,” which contains 21 tracks. The album represents the group’s first sail towards the horizon and features group songs, solo songs, and collaborations with senior figures in the industry. The title track of the album, “SIX7EEN,” is a mostly English song with some Korean lyrics and showcases the group’s youthful energy and ambition. The members of HORI7ON were overjoyed and proud to finally make their debut after experiencing immense popularity in their home country.
The Filipino group underwent strict training to become a K-pop band, a defining characteristic of the genre. They emphasized the importance of details, synchronization, and structured schedules in their training. HORI7ON performed two other tracks from their album during the event, showcasing their talents and their dedication to their craft.
HORI7ON’s debut marks a significant moment for the Korean music industry as they venture into the global music scene. The group expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to promote in South Korea as the first all-Filipino group and hopes to inspire others to pursue their dreams. They plan to continue their promotional activities in South Korea and the Philippines, with a particular interest in performing on local music shows and learning from other idols.
