Filipino boy group New:ID is coming onto the scene grateful for second chances and ready to explore a world of possibilities.
Related: OMG! These Dream Maker Finalists Just Signed With MLD Entertainment
Time and time again, we learn that the world doesn’t end when we don’t get what we think we want. Chances are, we’ll get to where we’ve always dreamed of with enough hope, hard work, plenty of grit, some luck, and maybe even a little help from fate.
So many young, aspiring artists have found success taking a path different from where they thought they’d find it. So it’s valuable advice to keep your chin up and march on forward—take it from these five boys granted a new chance to make their dreams come true.
NEW:ID ON THE BLOCK
More than just another group formed after reality survival show Dream Maker, global boy group New:ID is a team of excited young Filipino artists grateful for a second chance at achieving their dreams. Dream Maker is known for launching global boy group HORI7ON into stardom, also another set of young, talented dreamers making their own way in the music and pop culture scene here, in South Korea, and beyond.
The members include observant and take-charge Thad, Austria-born dreamer Wilson, reserved Macky, relaxed and quiet Jom, and exuberant L, who were all former contestants of the show. They were finalists, but ultimately did not make it to the final lineup. The boys signed with MLD Entertainment, trained abroad, and debuted on July 25, 2024 with EP NEW EGO with title track GHOST.
Having undergone rigorous training both in Dream Maker (which Thad described as less of a competition and more of a workshop) and in South Korea after, New:ID is navigating a whole new world, getting their feet wet right after debuting with a new EP, mall shows, fan meets, and concert appearances.
Bright-eyed and full of promise, they’re set to serve classic boy group charm with a whole heaping of versatility right here in the Philippines. Expect to see different sides of the group as they constantly reinvent themselves and try out new styles and concepts.
In this exclusive sit-down interview with NYLON Manila, get to know the boys of New:ID as they reflect on changes, second chances, and how they’re doing as they start off on this new journey.
From L-R: Jom, Thad, Macky, L, Wilson
Nice to meet you guys! How do you feel now that you’ve debuted and are doing all these promotions?
THAD: First of all, it’s tiring pala, no? Jokes aside, siyempre sobrang proud din sa members ko, kasi we’ve been through a lot, especially nung nag-training kami sa South Korea for over a year. Now na nag-debut na kami, it’s super fulfilling [pagtapos] lahat ng pinagdaanan namin kasi super challenging yung training namin sa Korea. So super happy na nag-debut na kami, finally.
You all were former contestants on Dream Maker. How did it feel to essentially get a new chance when you signed on to become New:ID?
WILSON: We’re kind of thankful now that we didn’t make it to the final lineup, because the group we have right now—I never thought that we would end up in such a good group like this together. And that’s why—especially me—I’m really glad to end up [in a team] with my best friends.
THAD: The chemistry is just there.
Strong chemistry and synergy between members is pretty important to the success of a team. How does being former participants on Dream Maker and training together help you develop your relationships with each other?
L: Well, yung mga fights, it’s a big help! Para maging bonded yung group namin, kasi doon kami natututo. Mas napatibay yung relationships namin. If we just kept our problems to ourselves, lalaki lang talaga ‘yun.
Since madalas naman kami mag-usap about sa mga problems namin sa group—pero ako hindi talaga, kasi di ako confrontational! So magsusumbong muna ko sa isang member, tapos namin pag-uusapan. Pero I’m so glad na sila yung naka-group ko—malawak po yung pag-iisip, ready po sila mag-adjust, at tumanggap ng pagkakamali.
What have you fought about?
THAD: Recently, yung reason is may member na nakakalimot maglinis ng CR. ‘Yun lang pinakamalaking issue namin! Nothing personal, talagang parang magkakapatid na pag-aaway. And we’re used to it naman.
How do you feel when people bring up your previous participation on Dream Maker? Is it something that makes you feel off or you’ve come to accept it as part of your history and lore?
THAD: I feel like not at all, because at the end of the day, magka-kaibigan kami sa loob ng show. No matter what other people say, no matter how they compare us to other groups na nabuo din from Dream Maker, we’re still super thankful na sobrang daming bata ang nabigyan ng chance. Aside from the top seven members, marami pa ring nabigyan ng second chance na matupad yung dream nila. So, no bitterness at all.
Speaking of second chances, could you tell me the story behind your group name?
THAD: Okay, let’s break it down into two—the capital ID, it means identity. Every comeback, we’ll have a new identity. For this comeback, we have an identity that’s like a second-generation K-pop, should I say? And then, for the next releases, di pa namin sure what the concept will be, what the identity of the group will be. So every comeback, every release, magkakaroon kami ng new concept.
For the pronunciation, a lot of people may call us “new ID” [as in ID card], but it’s actually from Sigmund Freud’s theory of id, ego, and superego. The “id” is basic instinct, but since now we’ve debuted, meron na kaming sarili naming decision-making. That’s why ang pina-iiral namin ngayon is ang aming “ego”, hence the name of our EP, NEW EGO.
It’s a smart concept—and very interesting. And since you’ve mentioned that you’re all about the versatility and trying out new things, what concepts and kinds of music and styles would you like to try out?
MACKY: Hip-hop.
JOM: R&B.
L: Same din, R&B.
WILSON: I would love to have a sexy concept, a more mature concept.
THAD: For me, I’d like a fresh, high school-type concept. We just all want to try new things.
You seem to all love a range of genres. Could you tell us which artists inspire you?
THAD (immediately): Okay, from P-pop, three, two, one…
ALL: SB19!
THAD: And from K-pop—
ALL: RIIZE!
As individuals and as a team, what are things that you’re learning to overcome as you debut?
L: Ang babaw ng naisip ko, pero kasi sobrang love ko talaga magperform, pero tina-try ko talaga i-overcome yung pagiging mahiluhin ko sa biyahe. Hirap na hirap talaga ako! But on a serious note, [sinusubukan kong] hindi ma-hurt masyado sa mga hate comments. Hindi talaga maiiwasan na makita sa social media, pero tinatry naming gawing positive, constructive criticism.
MACKY: Ako, confidence. Dati, wala talaga akong confidence.
THAD: Learning how to compromise. Kasi, grabe, lagi kami magkakasama talaga—like the entire year. And kapag hindi ka sanay mag-compromise, doon talaga magsisimula yung pag-aaway. Pero thankfully, lahat kami mature na yung pag-iisip, wala nang isip-bata. So kung makakaroon man kami ng fights, sobrang minimal lang yung reason.
MACKY: At napapag-usapan din agad.
JOM: For me, pagsasalita. During Dream Maker, pag nakatapat yung camera sakin, wala talaga akong masabi. So I’m trying to overcome the fear of baka may mali akong masabi.
WILSON: Self-confidence, also, for me. There are times where I’m still not confident on camera or to talk freely, and that’s what I’m still struggling with, but it’s gotten better.
Your concept is aligned with the essence of Gen Z—ever-evolving, versatile, and always in motion. What do you think is the importance of being able to adapt and change easily, having gone through—and are going through—many new changes yourself?
THAD: For me as an artist kasi, kailangan mo matutong magkaroon ng facade. Meron ka dapat “home version” of yourself—kung saan ka pinaka-comfortable—and dapat may version din na halimaw sa stage. That’s very important kasi hindi pwede na dadalhin mo lahat sa stage lahat ng hiya mo as a person.
I have four members that are introverts, pero hindi naman nila pwede ipakita sa stage na “introvert ako, nahihiya ako sa harap niyo.” So dapat meron ka talagang other version na madadala sa stage, and merong version na grounded and humble.
L: In music, also, important na madali talaga mag-adapt. Kasi iba-iba yung audience, iba-iba yung taste ng mga listeners. So for me, mas better na kaya namin gawin ang kahit anong concept. Kasi, doon, mas dadami yung supporters namin kasi iba-iba nga yung taste nila. And I think we’re prepared to do that.
How do you think people can still hold on to the core of who they are even though they’re trying out new things and changing with the times?
THAD: Know yourself muna. If kilala mo talaga yung sarili mo, no matter how your “other persona” changes, kahit gaano ka-confident yung bagong persona, masasabi mo pa rin na “this is really who I am, hindi ko siya dapat baguhin ever.” Kasi ‘yun yung kilala ng mga taong close sa akin. Hindi ‘yun yung kilala ng mga taong nakikita ka lang sa stage, nakikita ka in front of camera. So that’s what really keeps you humble.
Do you have a message to your fans as they support you on this new journey?
WILSON: I would like to say thank you, because they have been waiting for so long for us to come back to the Philippines and to be able to meet them again and to perform in front of them. We are so happy and excited that we’ve finally debuted and that we can share our music with them and make other people happy with what we do.
Creative and Art Direction GELO QUIJENCIO
Photography EXCEL PANLAQUE of KLIQ Inc.
Editor-in-Chief MAGGIE BATACAN
Managing Editor RAFAEL BAUTISTA
Brand Associate BIANCA LAO
Editorial Assistant JASMIN DASIGAN
Thanks to MLD ENTERTAINMENT
Continue Reading: The Next Level for P-Pop: AJAA On Celebrating The Best of Youth
