Last night’s GMA Gala was seriously stunning. A-list celebrities such as Barbie Forteza, Gabbi Garcia, and Kyline Alcantara pulled out all the stops for their ‘Elegant Formal’ looks. But if you thought the fun stopped there, you’re wrong.
In case you didn’t know, there’s a whole world of celebrity looks that often goes unseen. While the spotlight went to what the stars wore on the red carpet, there were also some fierce looks served that you probably didn’t see on camera. From behind-the-scene moments to pre-party showstoppers, these stars served major picture-perfect pieces that didn’t make it to the gala’s red carpet.
Barbie Forteza
On Instagram, Barbie Forteza surprised fans with wearable art that completely complements her pre-party photoshoot. In photos, NYLON Manila’s July cover star slays a euphoric Ehrran Montoya ‘Chrysalis’ gown styled by Jan Roque. Well, we all agree Barbie is serving silver like no other.
Kyline Alcantara and Mavy Legaspi are a picture-perfect couple, capturing a getaway in Italy. Their playful pre- ball shoot serves Jacquemus dresses, khaki pants, and a gorgeous golden summer glow. On Instagram, Kyline captions her post with la dolce vita. Clearly, the celebrity couple is truly living the sweetest life — on screens and IRL!
From sweet to sultry. Compared to last year’s GMA Gala, Gabbi Garcia takes it to the next level with a daring two-piece ensemble by Martin M. Bautista. Styled by Quarator Studio, the whole afterparty look was tied together with Tiffany & Co. jewels. Gabbi might have just contributed to this recent heat wave.
It’s true, one designer is never enough. Even if she was in California for San Diego Comic-Con, that didn’t stop Ysabel Ortega from serving. As she shared on Instagram, the Voltes V: Legacy star wore Yves Saint Laurent and Bonita Peñaranda for her pre-party look. It was nothing but sophistication in that black cut-out dress and seriously bold blings!
Bella Thompson is truly THE moment. Wearing a custom Jerald Ignacio gown, the classic black pre-party look perfectly complements Bella’s brighter and extra red carpet ensemble. Let’s talk about that duality.
Bianca Umali is totally giving a golden goddess aura. She steals the show with a bronzed summer glow and an embellished ensemble by Joe San Antonio. Of course, let’s not forget the styling magic of John Paul Dizon that transformed Bianca into an absolute shining star.
While he’s one of the Best Dressed Gentlemen of the GMA Gala, Ruru Madrid has one behind-the-scene look everyone’s gotta see. On Instagram, Ruru’s rocked an all-black ensemble by Filipina fashion designer Chynna Mamawal. With styling by David Milan, Ruru bagged Young Star of the Night Award.
The stars were shining extra bright on the night of July 23, and it wasn’t because of a clear night sky. For the second year in a row, GMA held their Gala that served as both their thanksgiving celebration for their successes and an opportunity for the biggest and brightest Kapuso stars to get glammed up, get together, and party. And it all made for a moment that radiated modern elegance. From A-list stars to new faces, everyone was there.
But while viewers were tuned in to the livestream of the red carpet, it didn’t show all that went down during the Gala. Beyond the glitz and glam was a packed night that had moments you needed to see to believe. Here are a few moments, interactions, and highlights we spotted at the GMA Gala.
If you caught the livestream, what you saw was the red carpet and interview station of GMA. But beyond the cameras was an entire hallway brimming with activity. The entire second floor of the Marriot Grand Ballroom was reserved for the GMA Ball with every room and space serving a purpose. How it would work was that the stars first had to line up for their turn to walk the carpet.
Then once they get off the carpet, they had to pass through a litany of booths, such as the GMA interview booth, Sparkle booth, media booths, and more. Also down the line were booths from sponsors of the evening, so you can imagine how hectic it was with stars waiting their turn and crisscrossing between each space before they entered the ballroom.
It was to be expected that the GMA Gala would gather GMA’s stars under one roof. But what stood out during the Gala was how many non-GMA and Sparkle artists were in attendance. In particular, as further proof of the breaking down of barriers between networks, some of ABS-CBN’s biggest names, such as Joshua Garcia, Anne Curtis (who was channeling Audrey Hepburn in her white Saint Laurent dress), and Vice Ganda, attended the Gala. ABS executives Cory Vidanes and Carlo Katigbak also attended the event. And if that wasn’t enough, a who’s who of our fave content creators also showed up, including Roce Ordonez, Sassa Gurl, Andrea So, Pipay, Zeinab Harake, and Toni Fowler.
With all those stars in one place, the Gala served as an opportunity for these famous faces to reunite and catch up with their friends and colleagues. From Joshua Garcia and David Licauco sharing a chat to Paul Salas and Mikee Quintos congratulating Bea Alonzo and Dominic Roque on their engagement, the night was packed with moments and interactions we never thought that we would see. Everywhere you looked there was a celebrity chatting with other stars and having fun like it was just a regular old party.
Before the Gala, fans speculated as to who Barbie Forteza would be walking the carpet with, either Jak Roberto, her real-life partner, or David Licauco, her current on-screen love team. But in the end, Barbie decided to embody the independent spirit of Klay and decided to walk the carpet by herself. Jak was first up to grace the carpet, followed by David, and ended with Barbie radiating main character energy as the last of the trio to walk in a stunning mint green Ehrran Montoya gown. And as to why she decided to walk alone, she told reporters on the carpet that she can. Period queen.
It’s a known fact by now that Cassy Legaspi and Darren Espanto have a green flag relationship. And the 2023 GMA Gala further proved that. While Cassy walked the red carpet alone, she ended the night with Darren, who arrived by the time the red carpet was over. Mind you, that night, Darren was at Belle Mariano’s concert at the New Frontier Theater where he performed with the Gen Z star. So, after his performance, he changed and made it all the way from QC to Pasay for the ball to be with Cassy. That’s goals right there.
— Everything Julie Anne San Jose (@EverythingJAPS) July 22, 2023
While the actual Gala itself was not streamed live, there was a program that included, among other things, performances. And one of the highlights of the evening was a rare live performance of the new Voltes V theme song from Julie Anne San Jose. Even outside the venue halls, Julie Anne was slaying with her powerful voice.
Because there is no such thing as being too extra at a Ball, some stars prepared multiple outfits for the event, some of which didn’t make it to the red carpet. Before the event, Barbie Forteza showed off on social media another gown she could have worn to the Gala, a silver chrysalis gown by Ehrran Montoya that looked beyond stunning. And even if she was in California to represent Voltes V: Legacy at San Diego Comic-Con 2023, Ysabel Ortega made sure to serve by showing off the classic and chic black YSL gown she would have worn to the Gala.
With thousands of islands, the Philippines is home to a diverse collection of people from different backgrounds, beliefs, and looks. But it’s no secret that Philippine society has the toxic trait of favoring people with fairer complexion over those with a darker skin tone. This is why, sadly, it’s not hard to find microaggressions against morenos and morenas who are judged just because of their skin color.
This judgment is one that some of today’s biggest stars are all too familiar with. During their early days in the showbiz industry, they had to deal with the dreaded “no” because of the stigma surrounding having a darker complexion in the country. Luckily, they all managed to bounce back and prove that there’s no shame in embracing who you are. Here are some local stars who weren’t immune to getting judged for being morena.
KATHRYN BERNARDO
Can you imagine that there were people in this world who passed over Kathryn Bernardo because she’s a morena? In the past, the superstar has been open about how she used to be nervous in castings as she felt that the fairer-skin auditionees were getting roles over her. There was a time when Kath worried that her skin color would get her rejected. That time is long-gone now considering how she’s one of the most in-demand actresses in the country.
GABBI GARCIA
Gabbi Garcia is a champion of inspiring people to love and embrace the skin your in. And this is partly brought about by the fact that Gabbi once felt insecure about her skin color. On an episode of Updated With Nelson Canlas, the Gen Z star shared her experience getting passed over fairer skin models during VTRs. “Out of 50 VTRs na masipag kong pinuntahan, siguro mga tatlo lang na-book sa’kin. Lahat ng mga nakukuha during that time, mahilig sila sa mga foreign blood.” Those rejections didn’t stop Gabbi though from pursuing her dreams. Now, she’s a top celebrity endorser, A-list actress, and advocate for body positivity.
NADINE LUSTRE
Aside from being a top-tier actress, box office star, and environmental advocate, Nadine Lustre is also a proud morena who isn’t afraid to clapback at bashers who say she should bleach her skin. But despite her billboard-gracing beauty, people have told Nadine that she was ugly because of her looks. “Before I would go to auditions and VTRs and I would get rejected because of my skin color. Like, even with my skin, I always get bashed [for] it because I’m naturally Morena. People would say na, ‘Ay she’s dark, she’s not beautiful,’” she once said in an interview.
The rejection particularly hurt the star as she was just a young girl at the time, affecting her self-esteem. “You know, as a young girl who was going through that, it made me feel na I was ugly and I wasn’t worth it.” These days though, Nadine has made her naysayers eat their words.
VIVOREE
Before Vivoree became the multi-hyphenate star we all know and love, she used to be a teenage girl in Bohol. And it was during this time that Vivoree faced criticism back home because of her morena looks. During an interview on Magandang Buhay, the young actress revealed that she dealt with heavy cases of bullying.
“I went through traumatic experience sa bullying and ‘yung low self-esteem po talaga, because I looked different way before.” When she was in PBB, Vivoree memorably had a makeover that did more than just bring out her beauty. She expressed that her time in PBB was a way to help herself and face her fears. Clearly, it worked as Vivoree has grown into a strong and confident young woman who proved her bullies wrong.
Your weekend on mute? Not if we have anything to say about it. Get your playlists and headphones ready as we’ve rounded up new releases of the week that you may want to give a listen and then some.
LOVE LIKE THIS – ZAYN
Zayn swerves left on his musical comeback by giving us a breakdance/pop inspired love song that opens an exciting new era for the musician.
MAYBE NEXT TIME – JAMIE MILLER AND MOIRA DELA TORRE
Rumor has it that the angles got jealous when they heard Jamie and Moira on the track together. The vocals and emotions are at a 10.
COOL WITH YOU – NEWJEANS
NewJeans + house music = match made in heaven. It’s just so efforlessly stylish.
MAN I AM – SAM SMITH
We love how the track features a message that might play into toxic masculinity but packaged in 80s pop for a more tongue-and-cheek take.
THE WAY THINGS GO – BEABADOOBEE
beabadoobee’s sentimental new single delves into the things not said in a breakup. And honestly, you can find peace by leaving a relationship at that.
ISTJ – NCT DREAM
You’ll never catch NCT Dream slipping when it comes to experimentation in their music, like with their latest comeback single that radiates SM Entertainment energy.
DELI – ICE SPICE
Were we shaking the jelly before we wrote this? Maybe. That beat is god-tier catchy and will get the party started at the club.
K-POP – TRAVIS SCOTT, BAD BUNNY, AND THE WEEKND
What exactly does this song have to do with K-pop? Nothing at all. But it’s still a vibe.
INVITED – STEPHANIE POETRI
Stephanie really gave us a bop and an anthem for all the introverts. While introverts get anxious in parties and other social meet-ups, that doesn’t mean they don’t want to be invited to the events. Stephanie captures that feeling to a T in her number about wanting to meet someone and also not wanting to go.
MIND YOUR BUSINESS – WILL.I.AM AND BRITNEY SPEARS
That was a cute beat. Let’s hope this will be the start of more music releases from queen Britney
OKAY LANG AKO 3 – INIGO PASCUAL
While Inigo is often known for his dance and fast-paced tracks, he slows things down as he goes on an emotional journey in his latest release. The heartfelt track unleashes a new side of Inigo as he embraces vulnerability and discovers more inspirations and aspirations in songwriting that he had not explored before.
BOXES – ROSIE DARLING
Boxes is a beautifully relatable track showcases Rosie’s stunning voice and lyrics that all of us can identify with about transitions, growth, and change.
LIAN DYOGI – ONLY HAVE TODAY
Inspired by long-distance love in the pandemic, Only Have Today is an electro-pop track with house and Asian elements that serves as a call to be brave in each imperfect fleeting moment.
Ever wanted to know what it’s like being a human crane? Guests did that and so much more in Chupa Chups’ Lolliday Arcade.
Sure, there are a lot of things to do in the city. From going to the club, eating out, watching a movie, and more, the itinerary isn’t going barren anytime soon. But sometimes, you just want to do something special and out-of-the-box that makes core memories and so happen to pop on your social media feeds. Luckily, CHUPA CHUPS, the iconic and well-loved brand since 1958, was here to give us the sweet treat we all needed with their recent celebration of Lollipop Day.
FOREVER FUN WITH CHUPA CHUPS
Every July 20 is Lollipop Day, which is a holiday that deserves to be celebrated on a yearly, even monthly basis. There’s nothing like dedicating the whole day to one of our fave sweet treats that never fails us. And for this year’s festivities, CHUPA CHUPS went above and beyond with their celebration of Lollipop Day. And the best part? The public was free to experience the fun as CHUPA CHUPS brought our Candyland dreams to reality with the Chupa Chups Lolliday Arcade.
Thanks to CHUPA CHUPS, this year’s Lollipop Day was one to remember. Bringing together kids and kids-at-heart, the Chupa Chups Lolliday Arcade was exactly what you thought it was, an entire space filled with fun and festivities that were practically begging to be your next feed post and story. It’s no wonder then that a who’s who of Gen Z influencers and personalities decided to commemorate the holiday the best way they can, by visiting the arcade.
Jeanette Ong, Ashley Garcia, Elize Mariano, Migo Austria, Nikki Yazon, Russco Jaraviña, Sofia Maxine, John Deseo, Denisse Sy, and Dianne Antigua, were all spotted during Lollyiday Arcade’s official opening getting in on the fun, trying out the different experiences, and shooting that cool content that had us feeling FOMO.
LIFE-SIZED FUN
So, what exactly was possible inside Lolliday Arcade? When you stepped inside the rainbow-colored space, you were greeted by the Giant CHUPA CHUPS Lollipop display you’ve probably seen on your feed before. Another content-worthy highlight to experience was the human crane machine (yes, you read that right). For a minimum of P200 worth of products from the activity area, guests got to live out that arcade fantasy and be their funstoppable self as they grabbed as many prizes as they can.
The life-sized fun didn’t stop there as visitors also checked out and tried the Giant Tetris Puzzle and Giant Maze that was both fun and the next star of a TikTok video. And because the celebration didn’t stop at the arcade, guests also copped special deals and CHUPA CHUPS products in the activity area that they brought home and and continued the fun there. All-day fun? We like the sound of that.
While all this was going down, kids and kids-at-heart also checked out the awesome photo spots in the arcade, though tbh, any spot would have anyone double-tapping on the IG feed. Oh, and all of this was free by the way. When you have an entire day called Lollipop Day, you know it’s worth celebrating and CHUPA CHUPS gave us just that. A playground of fun activities and memories awaited many at the coolest arcade in the city.
One of the more underrated aspects of a pageant is its theme song. Sure, it may not get the most attention, but you can’t deny a bop when it’s a bop. Some tracks go beyond just being a theme song and become a straight banger. And for It’s Showtime’s Mini Miss U pageant, they hit the jackpot with their title track.
MINI MISS U BANGER
Last June, ABS-CBN’s noontime variety show launched its Mini Miss U pageant, and because no pageant is complete without a theme song, Mini Miss U has its own, which was sung by Imogen. And straight up, it’s a bop. Already, the little kids have been one of our favorite parts of It’s Showtime recently, and they’re back again to break the internet once more.
When ABS-CBN asked Imogen to sing the pageant’s theme song, she responded by saying that she wanted to make history, and that’s exactly what she did. Before she entered the booth to record the track, Imogen inhaled three pumps of the mother mist and made a paste from yass leaves and rubbed it behind her ears.
Mini Miss U is unironically a catchy song that will have “Hello Madlang People Mabuhay!” run in your head for days. It captures the fun spirit of the contest with an LSS-inducing chorus, a kind you’d expect from major pageants. And wrapping it all together is a choreography that anyone can do. Wholesome and catchy is a recipe for success for most songs, and that’s exactly what Mini Miss U is doing. It’s no wonder then that the track has taken a life of its own outside of It’s Showtime to become netizens’ next favorite earworm. Take a look at how Mini Miss U has been taking over social media.
You know you’ve got a cultural hit on your hands when even celebrities and personalities are doing the dance. Even Niana, AC, and BJ couldn’t resist doing the viral dance challenge. Hello madlang people mabuhay? Bars! There really was magic inside that recording booth when they made the song. All we need now is a Mini Miss U dance performance on ASAP featuring AC Bonifacio.
If Mini Miss U was released when we were kids, we would have been unstoppable. As BINI’s Stacey demonstrates (with her impeccable ending fairy), Mini Miss U is the pabibo anthem for all the extroverted kids out there who aren’t afraid to be the center of attention. You can bet the spotlight will be on us when this song plays. Watch the next generation of kids grow up to be confident kings and queens.
Mini Miss U’s Annica Co is such a queen. First, she broke social media and warmed netizens’ hearts with her touching conversation with Vice Ganda on accepting others and being a good person. It even got Anne Curtis shedding tears. Now, she’s graduating college and getting that degree. But with her answer on It’s Showtime, we aren’t surprised she’s that advanced. Icon behavior if you ask us.
If someone told you that there were no good movies this year, that’s because they haven’t been watching enough films. Once again, the cinema proved to be a haven for those who wanted to escape, be transfixed, transported, and immersed in worlds and narratives only movies can offer. And given all the hype that Barbie and Oppenheimer are getting, not to mention another home run for the Mission Impossible franchise, moviegoing is still alive and well. And with months left before the end of 2023, there are still movies we’re excited to see and some that might even surprise us.
But if you’re already making that 2023 movie watchlist, we listed down a few must-includes that offered some of the best cinematic experiences of the year so far (note that this list will only cover films released between January 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023).
SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE
Many hail Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse as one of the best movies ever made. So, to say that the sequel had a lot of expectations to live up to is an understatement. Yet, not only did Across The Spider-Verse meet the hype, it also smashed it too. Miles’ latest foray into the Spider-Verse was everything we wanted and more, from a grand story, emotional plotlines, and enough Spider-people to fill multiverses. The sequel hits all the right boxes and then some and reminds us again that animation was, is, and will continue to be a medium worth respecting in cinema.
TEN LITTLE MISTRESSES
Knives Out set in the Philippines is a description that won’t do this film justice. Jun Lana’s take on the murder mystery stands head and shoulders above many of its contemporaries thanks to its impressive quality, comedy, costumes, perfect casting, and, most importantly, infusion of Pinoy humor and culture into the story. Only in the Philippines will you find movie about a group of mistresses who figure out which one of them killed their shared lover.
Ten Little Mistresses is a film that anyone can enjoy but just hits differently for Filipinos who can pick up and understand the cultural nuance embedded in the film. And don’t get us started on the cast, whose ensemble acting is one of the best in Philippine cinema in years.
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4
As if we thought the John Wick franchise couldn’t get any better, here they go and deliver another knockout (literally and figuratively) with the fourth entry in the franchise. John Wick’s (supposed) send-off was one for the ages, as it was nearly three hours of the year’s best action scenes. From the assault of the Osaka Continental to that edge-of-your-seat extended sequence across the streets of Paris during the final act, every set piece stunned, stabbed, and shined. Add to that excellent new additions from Donnie Yen’s Caine and Rina Sawayama’s Akira, you have a movie that ended on a definitive period while also leaving the door slightly open for exciting new adventures.
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES
The Dungeons & Dragons movie had no business being as good as it is. Before its release, the film looked like it would be another casualty of Hollywood’s inability to translate iconic properties of geek culture to the big screen. Yet, the movie surprised audiences with just how competent it is. What it does well is how it balances respecting the source material while delivering a story that people who haven’t played the tabletop game can enjoy. It’s a fun, funny, and lighthearted fantasy action adventure but with an emotional core that ties everything together. Don’t let the generic fantasy setting fool you, this one is worth the watch.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOLUME 3
A lot of discourse as of late has surrounded the MCU and whether or not it has lost its mojo, and rightfully so. But the finale of the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy proved that there is still magic in the biggest movie franchise in history. James Gunn’s send-off for The Guardians is a slick, action-heavy, and emotional roller coaster ride that will take you places.
Centering the story on Rocket’s past was an emotional gut punch we didn’t see coming and helped thread the bond these misfits have had for over nine years. Questionable portrayal of Adam Warlock aside, Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 doesn’t get bogged down by the mythos of the MCU as it gives each member of the team a proper and logical goodbye.
NIMONA
Netflix better recalibrate its marketing budget because it’s an actual crime how underrated this movie is. Released at the tale end of June, Nimona follows the story of Ballister Blodheart, a knight from a futuristic medieval world, who, after being framed for a crime he didn’t commit, must team up with Nimona, a mischievous teen, to clear his name. His only problem? Nimona is a shapeshifting creature Ballister is sworn to destroy. From the animation, story, action, representation, and more, Nimona goes above and beyond being just another Netflix original dumped on the streaming service. Its minimal marketing hides the fact that it’s one of the best animated films of the year so far.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
The Super Mario Bros. Movie: It’s an Illumination movie, for better and worse. But it has bundles of fun, charm, and nostalgia.
Evil Dead Rise: Demonic mother mothered a little too hard in this bloody good entry for the Evil Dead franchise.
Air: Who knew a film about how Nike made the Air Jordan line without centering on Michael Jordan could be so entertaining?
Missing: Just as good as the original. And that ending? One of the best plot twists of the year.
Whether you’re vibin’ with Daniel Caesar or not, chances are you’ve heard his songs of intimacy, passion, and soul. The Canadian R&B artist is known for some sick tracks like Best Part with the Filipino-blooded singer H.E.R., Blessed, Get You, Japanese Denim, and Always. Daniel Caesar first performed in the Philippines during Wanderland 2018, and then we were blessed with a solo show in 2019. After four years, Filipino fans were eager for Daniel Caesar’s long-awaited comeback, along with the promised performances of Always and Valentina.
The hype was real considering that the highly anticipated concert completely sold out as thousands packed the World Trade Center. In case you’re feeling FOMO, here are all the moments you missed from Daniel Caesar’s Manila stop on the Superpowers World Tour.
Jason Dhakal Opening for Daniel Caesar
Filipino fans were in for an extra special treat as one of the top local R&B and Soul artists had been confirmed as the opening act for Daniel Caesar. As if we weren’t excited enough, Jason Dhakal’s laidback tracks, spinning stories of lust, love, and life, warmed us up for the night’s main event. And when he performed the tweaked version of Manila, the crowd went wild.
If you love me won’t you say something? Well, a fan took the lyrics literally. As the crowd was singing along to Daniel Caesar’s Best Part, someone got down on their knee and proposed! Cue the waterworks and all the feels. The moment was definitely memorable, and there couldn’t possibly be a better song and moment to be proposed to.
Filipino fans have garnered a reputation as one of the most passionate and euphoric audiences in the world. Artists all over have been saying that Manila has the best concert crowds, and Daniel Caesar wasn’t any different. “You guys can sing; it’s crazy,” he enthused. Of course, the Pinoy concertgoers lived up to the expectations as they sang along to every song. It was overall an amazing night full of love, passion, and soulful vibes.
Inside the halls, practice rooms, and studios of K-pop companies in Korea are the new generation of idols currently training for their time in the spotlight. While 4th gen is still going strong, the time of the 5th generation of K-pop will eventually come as kids and young teenagers gear up for their chance to bring the genre forward. In fact, there are already groups and artists who, in their capacity as trainees and pre-debut idols, are starting to show off their talents and showcase what 5th gen K-pop is made of. One such name is ChoCo.
THE NEW ERA
Under ChoCo Entertainment, which was founded by ChoPD, a first-generation legend in Korean hip-hop who has launched powerhouses like PSY and ZICO, ChoCo is a co-ed pre-debut K-pop group currently made up of trainees Jake, TJ, Sean, and Anpan. Similar to the concept of NCT, ChoCo runs on a sub-units system where the male trainees’ team is called ChoCo1 while the female trainees’ team is called ChoCo2. Meanwhile, the leaders of both teams, Jake and Anpan, are in another subunit called ChoCo1&2.
Jake, Anpan, and TJ
Already, these young teens have undergone training that isn’t that unlike what debuted idols do. They have a reality show called ChoCo in Hollywood, which, as the name suggests, was filmed and set in Hollywood, have released songs and EPs, and some of them even performed on M COUNTDOWN. These public appearances are a part of ChoCo Entertainment’s unique “artist incubation system” that aims to help the young trainees manage the pressures of debut through “training equivalent to a debut”.
Basically, they’ve been put through the wringer without the guarantee of a debut. But with the talent and passion these kids have, it’s all part of the process. We recently got the chance to catch up with Jake, TJ, and Anpan in between their busy schedules where the trainees opened up about their love for K-pop, the public spotlight, and more. Get to know more of them by reading their interview below.
Can you share the meaning behind your group name ChoCo?
JAKE: No matter where you are in the world, “ChoCo” is a word that people can read and instantly remember, so we named the group the same as our company name to make it easier for us to reach out to our global fans.
TJ: When I first heard “ChoCo,” I felt like it was “delicious.” I want our music and dance to be that “delicious” to people as well.
ANPAN: One of my favorite food is chocolate, so when I first heard the name of the group, I was happy. I hope others will feel the same way when they hear our name.
How would you describe who ChoCo is as a group?
JAKE: As the leader of ChoCo1, I would say that ChoCo1 is the “Undeclared Avengers.” Because we have various personalities, skills, and characters, I think we’re a group that can deliver our message in any form and in any place.
TJ: I think it’s a free group. I say it’s free, because we are able to do activities with different member configurations, not only with ChoCo1 but also with ChoCo2, depending on the concept, and we can show our fans what we want in different styles.
ANPAN: ChoCo is a group of relatively young members, but we have a lot of talent in different ways. We have the special ability to express our music not only through singing and dancing, but also by playing instruments and making our own music.
Jake
Was there a specific moment in your lives that made you decide that you wanted to become K-Pop idols?
JAKE: I’ve been exposed to the music and performances of BIGBANG and BTS since I was a kid, and when I saw how they interacted with their fans on stage while enjoying themselves, I thought, “I want to be an idol like that.” I want to grow as an artist who gives and receives energy on stage.
TJ: I originally wanted to be a dancer, but after joining ChoCo, I started dreaming of being a K-Pop idol because I thought it was so cool to be able to show my thoughts and performances to my fans.
ANPAN: I first heard BLACKPINK’s ‘BOOMBAYAH’ at school when I was 7 years old, and I loved the song so much that I became interested in K-Pop. I always loved to dance, so then, I danced to a lot of K-Pop idol choreography, and thankfully, I joined ChoCo, and after coming to Korea, my dream to become a K-Pop idol became definite.
What were your initial impressions when you first met each other?
JAKE: TJ was like a really chubby, cute, energetic kid when I first saw him, but he was taller than me, so I was a little scared that I’d get punched if I did something wrong… (laughs). At first, TJ was late, but when he came in, he was like a boss baby. Anpan seemed very confident, and he seemed like the most passionate person I’d ever seen. The moment I saw her, I already knew she was going to be a good dancer, and I was right.
I thought it would be awkward because of our different nationalities, but Anpan was the one who approached me first, and now we’re very close.
TJ: When I first saw Jake in the lobby of the training center, I thought it wouldn’t be easy to get along with him because he looked like the type who doesn’t listen. Anpan seemed dark when I first saw her, but the next day she greeted me really brightly. I didn’t expect her to be such a bright person. She was the first one to say hello, and she was really bright and positive!
ANPAN: I thought Jake-sunbaenim was very shy. TJ-sunbaenim was very polite. Both of them were actually very shy, so it took a long time to get close to them.
Anpan
What’s interesting about ChoCo is that, as pre-debut idols, you undergo a system where you from sub-units and go through “training equivalent to a debut.” How do you handle all that and go through the pressures of being a trainee?
JAKE: Our members are taking a variety of classes, including vocals, dance, drums, guitar, DJ-ing, acting, English, etiquette, and monitoring. I feel like we’ve definitely grown in terms of our attitude towards music. There are a lot of classes that make us rethink about things we didn’t pay attention to before, so I keep myself on my toes as I take those classes. I listen to and make my favorite songs to de-stress.
TJ: As Jake said, we are growing into amazing artists as we take guitar, language, and facial expression classes at ChoCo. Most of the classes are customized for us, so we definitely feel like we’re continuously growing. Learning to be exposed to different types of music has also inspired me to dream of becoming a producer. It would be great to see that dream come true someday. I destress when I am at school or by playing soccer with my dad during weekends, or by practicing my individual skills.
ANPAN: Thankfully, I’m getting a lot of training at ChoCo, not just the basic classes like dancing and singing, but also acting, language, DJ-ing, and drumming classes. I’m also a trainee, but I’ve recorded an album, shot a music video with a band, and performed on the “M COUNTDOWN” stage. These were valuable experiences, so I felt a lot of pressure to do well. I get through it by eating my favorite chocolate. ChoCo is good!
You guys recently participated in your own reality show, ChoCo in Hollywood. What was your experience like doing the show?
JAKE: It was the first time for me to show myself to people so it was amazing, but at the same time, I think I was nervous to be standing in front of the public. I made a promise to myself to work harder for the people who were watching and supporting us. I will never forget the ‘Fruity Loop’ stage on “M COUNTDOWN” with Anpan, which was featured in the final episode of the reality show.
TJ: It was amazing to be able to show our fans our daily lives and various aspects of our lives on such a big channel like Mnet, and it also felt like we took a step closer to the public.I hope a lot of people will watch “ChoCo Takes Hollywood,” as well, which will be released after “ChoCo in Hollywood!” I really enjoyed the “Yoo Quiz” with Kelly-sunbaenim and the members. It was fun to play hide and seek among the members in between filming, and the filming process itself was fun too, so I would like to do it again for a 2023 remake.
ANPAN: The filming in Thailand was the most memorable for me. I was able to spend happy time with my family, show my family home in Surin, eat delicious food, and go to an elephant village. It’s a pity that “ChoCo in Hollywood” is over, but I’m happy to have memories that I can pull out whenever I miss it.
TJ
Are you surprised with how much attention ChoCo is getting even though you haven’t debuted yet?
JAKE: It’s so amazing. I’ve never gotten this kind of attention before in my life, and it finally felt like I can fulfill my idol dream. In fact, sometimes, I still can’t believe I’m part of ChoCo1.
TJ: We went to Thailand that time, and it was surprising to see people recognizing us there. From then on, it made us realize that we need to be move like professionals from now on.
ANPAN: I didn’t feel the attention right after we did the “M COUNTDOWN” stage, but now that I’m in Thailand and meeting so many fans and doing interviews like this, I feel that ChoCo is getting a lot of attention. I still have a lot to learn as a ChoCo trainee, but I’m going to practice harder to give a good performance to the many people who are interested in us!
There are so many rookie groups on the scene and more coming in the future. What is ChoCo bringing to the table? How do you stand out from the crowd?
JAKE: We don’t just work as a group, but also we work as various units, so we are able to showcase ChoCo’s music’s variety. Also, as all our members compose their own songs, we can perform as solo artists instead of as a group. We want to show our imperfect growth, and I think it would be fun to approach as a group that grows together with fans.
TJ: ChoCo can do a lot of different genres. Aside from Hip-hop, R&B, and dance, we are also able to do performances in all forms, from 1DJ 2MC, 90s band music to country. I think we’ll be able to show a lot of different things.
ANPAN: I think the biggest advantage of ChoCo is that we can freely organize our activities according to the direction we want to pursue, rather than following one set mold, such as gender, genre of music, or album concept. Please stay tuned for more information about ChoCo’s future projects.
Sean
People have said that you guys are leading the way for the 5th generation of K-Pop. With that said, what do you think 5th gen K-Pop will bring to the K-Pop scene?
JAKE: I think ChoCo itself is “change.” Whether it’s the music we’re making or the way we’re communicating with our fans, everything is new.
TJ: Even though ChoCo is the fifth generation, I think ChoCo is a group that stretches across generations nicely, so I think young kids and old people alike will love it.
ANPAN: I think the fifth generation of K-Pop is going to be even more globally recognized than it is now. ChoCo will become the leader of the fifth generation of K-Pop, and we will definitely visit the Philippines in our best form.
Now that the world knows about ChoCo, what’s next for the group?
JAKE: We will continue to expand the reach of K-Pop by collaborating with various global artists so that K-Pop can spread to more and more places through us.
TJ: We still have a lot of work to do, but we want to show the next generation the good we can do.
ANPAN: We are currently filming in various countries, not only in Korea, but also in the US, Thailand, and other countries! Maybe we can go to the Philippines next! Stay tuned, everyone~~ (laughs).
TJ and Jake
While it’s still early days for ChoCo, do you guys have dreams or goals you’d love to achieve in the near future?
JAKE: I would definitely like to collaborate with Swae Lee, who I love, and Hanni from NewJeans (Laughs). I would like to show better albums and performances with ChoCo1 or ChoCo1&2, and personally, through my compositions, I would like to prepare my new self. We will try to make our music heard everywhere. If you have a headset or earphones, you can meet us anytime!
TJ: We want to make our name known to the world as much as possible, and we want to be on the Coachella stage in the near future. I was able to go to Coachella with Jake-hyung, and we thought that we want to be an artist that can attract the audience just like the artists we saw on the stage. We will work hard so that we can stand on the Coachella stage. Please remember me, TJ. We will try hard to so that we can meet you with our great music and good moves
ANPAN: From coming to Korea from Thailand, where I was born and raised, practicing at ChoCo, filming a music video, to standing on the “M COUNTDOWN” stage, everything that is happening to me right now still feels like a dream. During the filming in Thailand this time, I was able to feel the eyes and attention of many fans. I hope to have more time to interact with more fans directly in the near future. I will practice harder! I can do it!
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