Wilson, Macky, L, Thad, and Jom are now ready to conquer the world stage as the newest P-Pop boy band, New:ID.
Managed by MLD Entertainment—a South Korean agency who co-handles P-pop group HORI7ON and South Korean girl group Lapillus—New: ID was officially launched on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at the SM North Skydome in Quezon City.
They previously auditioned in ABS-CBN's search for a new boy band via the 2022 reality show Dream Maker.
Although Wilson, Macky, L, Thad, and Jom didn't make the final cut in Dream Maker, their determination to make it in the music did not waver.
The five aspiring idols spent over a year undergoing rigorous training in South Korea, where they not only honed their technical skills but also developed the discipline needed to thrive in the competitive P-pop industry.
In 2023, New:ID made their initial foray into the music scene with the release of their prologue and pre-debut singles "E.R." and "Déjà Vu."
On July 25, 2024, the P-pop group released new tracks, "GHOST" and "The Day We Meet Again" on digital platforms.
When asked to describe their style, the members emphasized the dynamic nature of their music.
They explained that the name signifies their goal to deliver relatable songs and powerful performances.
Their training in South Korea, Jom said, equipped them with "technical skills" and "discipline" that would set them apart from their competition.
"Our time in Korea definitely gives us an edge. We learned a lot of technical skills from our Korean mentors.
"But more importantly, we developed the discipline required to thrive in the expansive entertainment industry.
"This rigorous training made us tougher physically and mentally, setting us apart from our competition."
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NEW:ID'S Musical Influences
Each member of New:ID draws inspiration from different artists, reflecting their diverse musical backgrounds.
Macky, a fan of the Eraserheads and K-pop group Riize, shared, "Isa po akong fan ng Eraserheads at hilig ko po ang mga banda. I also like Riize among the K-pop groups kasi cool at magaganda po ang songs nila."
L, on the other hand, cited Bugoy Drillon, Jason Dy, Gary V, and SB19's Stell as key inspirations.
"I started off as an amateur singer, so medyo iba yung musical influences ko sa groupmates ko. I really loved listening to them. and iba pang strong balladeers from the Philippines.
"But now that I'm on a different music path, ang SB19 ay naging malaking part sa music ko after P-pop opened its doors to me.
"Stell is who I look up to the most now, and sana makasama ko siya sa isang stage someday."
Wilson looks up to Jungkook of BTS and Justin Bieber.
"I can remember seeing Jungkook for the first time on YouTube. The way he acts and performs really caught my interest in him. He really inspires me," he added.
Jom's journey was shaped by his diverse musical influences.
"BTS initially sparked my desire to become an idol with their energetic performances and meaningful lyrics.
"Now, groups like Riize captivate me with their cool stage presence and charisma, inspiring my own artistic growth."
Thad, for his part, is inspired by SB19's trailblazing impact on the rise of P-pop.
Expressing his gratitude for their influence, he said, "I recall being fascinated when SB19 broke the news way back in 2018.
"Me, being so into K-Pop, saw the potential that our seniors could bring towards a new genre of pop in the Philippines.
"And now that I am in the industry myself, I couldn't be more grateful for them.
"They paved the way for aspiring artists like me who find comfort in performing in front of enthusiastic fans."
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RECALLING THEIR DREAM MAKER EXPERIENCE
Reflecting on their time in Dream Maker, the members of New:ID recalled unforgettable experiences and valuable lessons that have shaped their entry in show business.
For Macky, the grand finals was a defining moment.
He recalled, "Finals po ang hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan, at for me, best experience kasi hindi ko rin po in-expect na aabot ako sa finals.
"It’s a wonderful and important experience in my life kasi marami akong na-meet na bagong tao at marami akong natutunan."
L candidly related how the experience taught him to overcome challenges and to step out of his comfort zone.
He said, "The most unforgettable lesson I got was that I learned how not to give up if you really have goals.
"In Dream Maker, tatlong beses po akong umuwi just because I couldn't handle the intense training.
"I joined Dream Maker with zero dancing skills. Imagine a boy na parehong kaliwa ang paa, joining a competition na halos focused on dancing. It's like sumali ako sa giyera. I only had my voice as my weapon.
"But then I realized that I won’t go places if hindi ko pinilit yung sarili ko. Walang mangyayari kung di ako nakinig sa mga tao around me.
"I wouldn't be scouted by MLD if I didn't come out of my comfort zone. I would've never known that I could dance.
"There's so much that I could've missed kung nagpakain ako sa takot."
Wilson, for his part, cherished the stage performances above all else.
"I think the most unforgettable experience in Dream Maker for me was to be able to perform on stage with group members like you’re in a K-Pop group which is my biggest dream. I enjoyed every stage performance I had in Dream Maker."
Jom emphasized the importance of resilience and determination.
"My unforgettable journey with Dream Maker taught me that no matter how tough the road gets or how many times I stumble, the key is to persevere and never lose sight of my dreams.
"I've learned that perseverance and resilience are vital in navigating the music industry's challenges.
Just as I did at Dream Maker, I bring determination to our group, seeing every hurdle as a chance for us to grow stronger together. We stay focused on our musical goals, supporting each other with unwavering dedication.
"This experience has taught me to embrace our journey with optimism, knowing that persistence and a positive mindset will help us achieve our ambitions and leave a mark in the music world."
Thad summed it up with his insight on honing a survival instinct when at a competition.
"I would like to condense my answer into one word. Survival. Knowing that we came from a survival show, our instinct back then was to just survive and get through everything the show threw at us.
"But now that we're part of New:ID, surviving is not enough. We should also strive to thrive.
"Not being in the final seven was our biggest heartbreak, but now that we've been given the chance to showcase what we've got, it's such a massive privilege.
"We won't waste that opportunity."