PPOP Stage is a music show in the same vein as those in South Korea but made for and by P-pop.
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For the past five or so years, P-pop has been slowly but surely climbing up the public consciousness, with 2024 arguably being the genre’s biggest yet thanks in no small part to BINI’s mainstream breakthrough. While P-pop still has its way to go in terms of being at the zenith of its peak, we are getting there, and recently, the genre found even more support thanks to the launch of a new show called PPOP Stage.
P-POP TO THE CENTER STAGE
While P-pop groups and idols have local shows and programs on which they can perform and promote themselves, like the Sunday variety shows, their participation isn’t always a guarantee, especially for smaller groups and artists from smaller companies. So, if you ever thought that the Philippines needed a regular program akin to shows like MCOUNTDOWN and Inkigayo but for P-pop, you got your wish with PPOP Stage.
PPOP Stage is a new program presented by E Konek Events and Concerts whose main goal is to showcase and promote P-pop groups. Think of it like the K-pop music shows but from a P-pop angle, where P-pop groups, established and new, perform in front of a live audience. They even have the idols do relay dances akin to what you’d see on K-pop music shows.
PPOP Stage also follows a similar format to international music programs where fans get to vote for their winner every episode. But because the show only airs once a month, instead of voting for the top song of the week, PPOP Stage lets fans vote for their PPOP Idol of the Month, with the winner being crowned during the program.
The show aired its pilot episode last January 11, which saw BILIB, ASTER, and AJAA take the stage. And the program’s first-ever winner as PPOP Idol of the Month? AJAA, who took home the trophy with an overwhelming majority of the vote. #AJAAFirstWin, we love to see it. And yes, their win also includes an encore stage.
MORE TO PROGRAMS LIKE THIS
Given that PPOP Stage is still in its early, well, stage, the show has a ways to go in terms of stage design and production quality. But it’s a start, and what matters is that the first step is being made, which is often the hardest. And besides, there’s always room for improvement as PPOP Stage continues working on the show’s format. We can already imagine how hard a regularly airing P-pop music show with quality budget and production will eat.
For the longest time, many P-pop fans have asked for a P-pop-centered music show where groups and idols can have a frequent and consistent platform to perform and promote. PPOP Stage offers that, albeit in a beginner format. As P-pop continues to get bigger and bigger, it’s nice seeing a local program be dedicated to giving idols a deserved space, even if it’s just a start. Hopefully, this can also inspire others to give P-pop artists more support to really showcase their craft to the general public.
PPOP Stage airs live every 2nd Saturday of the month on their YouTube and Facebook pages from 7-8 PM. For more information on the show, including where you can vote, check out their website.
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