As one of the pioneers of P-pop, SB19 has always expressed their desire to see it reach greater heights. And now, they are ready to contribute to its continued growth as SB19 — through their own established agency, 1Z Entertainment — kicks off their search for a new girl group.
“One of the main reasons they want to establish 1Z Entertainment is really so that SB19 leaves a legacy in the industry. They want to pass on their knowledge and skills,” said COO Yani de Dios in an interview with Rappler Talk Entertainment. “The plan to create a new group was really there; it’s just that we were waiting for the right moment.”
This may be a big leap for a company as young as 1Z Entertainment, which was only founded in 2023, but the people behind the label acknowledge that the P-pop scene is currently moving forward. “There’s really an audience for it. So there’s an opportunity for everyone — for all P-pop artists and even future ones,” De Dios added.
SB19 leader Pablo, who also serves as the CEO of 1Z Entertainment, revealed that plans to create a girl group first surfaced in 2021, just three years after SB19 themselves made their official debut and long before they established their own record label.
While they are aware of how others might think they are going down the management path too soon, Pablo assured fans that they are confident in that particular path. “Masasabi name (we can say that), we are stronger than ever. But ok, the team name is young. Now, we can say that na kaya na naming panindigan kung ano man ‘yung project na gusto naming gawin,” he said. (We have a better team, so we can say that we can commit to any project we would like to undertake.)
SB19 promises to be practical mentors
In addition to being on stage, SB19 will be on the other side this time around to guide their upcoming girl group into the spotlight. “They’ll have the best of the best,” Pablo promised.
As someone who was responsible for composing and producing music for SB19 – whether through individual or group releases – Pablo also promises that he will be active behind the scenes for the upcoming girl group.
“This is the first artist na ilalabas ni (which will be handled by) 1Z Entertainment in addition to SB19. We will build them from scratch. The trick is to find out if you have any skills, [‘yung knowledge ko] for them (We’re really helping them hone their skills, that’s why I’m going to give everything I know to them),” he added.
While they are still in the process of creating the group, Pablo shared that he is already excited to meet his “baby.” He also recalled how SB19 went through some tough times when they first came onto the scene and stated that he will make sure his next group doesn’t go through the hardships they did.
“When we were starting out as SB19, we didn’t have that kind of setup. We don’t have anyone to guide us in creating music and everything. But they will have the best of the best), he said.
The Path to Becoming a 1Z Entertainment Trainee
1Z Entertainment trainee auditions are in full swing. Aspiring candidates must submit a one-minute singing or dancing video for initial screening.
In the interview with Rappler Talk Entertainment, De Dios revealed that he has not yet had time to analyze all the applications, as there has been an increase in applications. He, however, promised that SB19 will act in the selection of auditees who will advance to the second screening phase.
After a thorough review of the videos, 1Z Entertainment will call those who passed for an in-person screening, where candidates will be invited to sing, dance and basically do whatever they need to do. After that, a deliberation will follow on who will continue their journey in the last stage before launch: their training.
While the two said there really are no specific requirements to be chosen, they also revealed that the girls will go through a complex curriculum to ensure a high level of quality when their official debut takes place. Their singing, dancing, and even songwriting skills will be honed by professionals — SB19 themselves and other experienced mentors from 1Z Entertainment.
If there’s one specific trait his label is looking for, Pablo shared that he would like his trainees to be self-sufficient. “They should be able to produce their own music, produce their own choreography, and practice their own talents,” he said.
As an artist, he explained that he would advocate for a work environment where ideas are honed and created. He was candid about not being able to express his creative input, it feels like his life is being “taken away from him.” This is why he also hopes that his next set of artists will also be assertive and proactive in terms of their career trajectories.
Both De Dios and Pablo also agree that it will be a rigorous process. As a way to create a safe space for these aspiring idols, 1Z Entertainment will also incorporate a mental health checkpoint for each stage of its trainee program.
“We value the well-being of our artists,” De Dios said. “We really want to hear from them. You have to know? What are my struggles? How can you improve? Do you know what to do? (How are you? What are you struggling with? How can we improve this?) We want to value these aspects of training.”
It’s a huge responsibility to be in charge of other people’s lives and careers, De Dios and Pablo admitted. But rather than being pressured, 1Z Entertainment wants to approach their new venture with enthusiasm. “We’re doing this out of passion and not to compete,” they said. “It’s really a business or a project to learn the whole process. We also want to establish our own footprint when it comes to building and helping new artists.”
It will still be a while before the girl group makes their official debut, but Pablo already had high hopes for them.
“I like ko mag-fly sila, huh. ‘Before sinasabi was sung. If SB19 couldn’t do it, I want the other groups to do it. Of course, our baby, ito, papasok. Whenever we can reach such high heights, we want to achieve what we want. If someone doesn’t know me, then I can’t help but know me. But they won’t help us much, definitely.”
(I want them to fly. That’s what I always say: ‘If SB19 couldn’t do it, I want other groups to do it. And now that we’re going to introduce our own baby, we want them to reach greater heights than us. Say, for example , whatever we can’t achieve, I hope they do it themselves, but rest assured that we will definitely be here to help.) – with additional reporting from Fore Esparanza/Rappler.com
Fore Esperanza is an intern at Rappler.
