The Filipino delegation in K-pop might get bigger now that JL, a member of the P-pop boy group PLUUS, is throwing his hat in the ring.
Related: The Girls Of Global Girl Group UNIS Talk Girlhood And Living Out Their Dreams
Filipinos in K-pop, and on the global stage in general, have been having a moment as of late. HORI7ON continues to do their thing as the global boy group that they are while UNIS’ Gehlee and Elisia have been climbing the bias list of many stans. Adjacent to that, there’s Sophia of KATSEYE, a girl group well on their way to global stardom. And while she has no Filipino blood, we consider Sandara Park an honorary Filipina and our Pambansang Krung-Krung is about to embark on 2NE1’s reunion world tour that’s already iconic.
But it seems that another Filipino is set to make waves globally as an upcoming K-pop survival show will feature a Filipino contestant, and a P-pop idol, no less.
UY PHILIPPINES
Universe League, an upcoming SBS reality competition series, recently revealed the 42 contestants that will be participating in the show as they compete for a spot in a global boy group. On the list is 20-year-old JL Gaspar of P-pop boy group PLUUS. If the show’s name sounds familiar, that’s because it’s the second season of Universe Ticket, the K-pop competition show that formed the girl group UNIS, whose members include Filipinas Elisia Parmisano and Gehlee Dangca, and Fil-Korean Jin Hyeon-ju.
Global Boy Group Audition
— Universe League (@unvs_league) October 15, 2024
[UNIVERSE LEAGUE] Profile Photo #1
제이엘 JL
2024.11.22 (Fri) SBS 첫방송
Are you ready?#유니버스리그 #universeleague#보이그룹오디션 #글로벌오디션 #아이돌#BoyGroupAudition #GlobalAudition#SBS #kpop #fnfentertainment#제이엘 #JL pic.twitter.com/ZKCkJFPM6p
Universe League’s contestants will be divided into three groups: Rhythm (red), Groove (green), and Beat (blue), as they compete in a series of challenges to win the “Prism Cup”. Helping the trainees along the way are established K-pop idols serving as their mentors, with WayV’s Ten and Yangyang joining Team Rhythm, GOT7’s Yugyeom in Team Beat, and BTOB’s Lee Changsub in Team Groove. Korean-American rapper Jay Park, meanwhile, will serve as the show’s host.
ANOTHER P-POP TO THE WORLD MOMENT
JL, who is proudly repping the Philippines as the show’s only Filipino contestant, is entering the competition with history behind him considering the first season introduced the world to Elisia and Gehlee. He also isn’t the first P-pop idol to try their luck at a K-pop competition show. Before he debuted in VXON, C13 competed in Under Nineteen, the reality competition show that formed the now-disbanded K-pop group 1THE9. But even without that, JL is competing in the show with talent and experience to back him up.
The P-pop idol is a member of the six-member boy group PLUUS, which debuted in March 2023 with the release of their first mini album Pluus +.Y.M. The group is under SBTown, a company known for giving Korean-style training to their Filipino trainees. JL, who is called the “Giant Center of PLUUS”, has built a reputation among fans for his dance covers, as well as being an all-arounder in dance, performance, vocals, stage presence, and visuals.
@universe_league_official 제이엘 JL #Profile_Video Global Boy Group Audition [UNIVERSE LEAGUE] 2024.11.22 (Fri) SBS 첫방송 R U Ready? #유니버스리그 #universeleague #제이엘 #JL
♬ 오리지널 사운드 – Universe League (유니버스 리그)
Last month, JL left for South Korea to prepare for the survival show. His fellow PLUUS members, Theo, Gab, Justin, Yen, and Haro, sent him off to the airport. Speaking at the PLUUS In-Motion fanmeet in September, JL revealed that he’d be going on hiatus from the group to compete in the show. “Hindi po naging madali ang decision ng company, ng members, and hindi po siya naging madali for me. Paulit-ulit namin po siyang pinag-isipan,” he shared.
But despite the difficult decision he had to make, JL expressed his determination to do the best he can and follow his dreams of being a K-pop idol. “Bata pa lang ako, ineenjoy ko na po talagang makinig sa music, especially K-pop. Marami po akong tinitingala ng groups, and ‘yun ang reason b’at ko pinursue ang dream ko… I will always be PLUUS JL.”
@pluus_official [PLUUS] To our dearest SUM from PLUUS JL 💌 Hello, SUM! Before he goes to Korea, #PLUUSJL shares a heartwarming message to you. ALWAYS know that he will be your ✨ Shining Star ✨ even from afar. #PLUUS #AlwaysPLUUS ♬ original sound – PLUUS
Expounding on his decision in a TikTok video, JL reiterated that it wasn’t an easy thing to do, but he’s grateful of the love he’s been receiving. “Hindi po siya naging madaling desisyon, even sa company po, and yet, yung reactions niyo po sobrang different talaga niya sa kung ano po yung ine-expect kong magiging reaction niyo.” He added, “Nafi-feel ko po nung time na ‘yon na-betray ko rin kayo and yung mga tao sa paligid ko, but thank you po for making me realize na it’s an achievement po.” And speaking of love, his group posted a video on their YouTube channel that has his SBTown labelmates sharing words of encouragement for the P-pop idol and his latest endeavor.
We’re rooting for you, JL! You can catch him, and the other contestants of Universe League, when the show premieres on November 22.
Continue Reading: 4 Reasons Why PLUUS Is Pushing The Boundaries For Rookie P-pop Groups
