Last November, the world witnessed history as the USA elected its new president. While this was a trending topic online globally, in the Philippines, people were tweeting “Paalam Na It’s Showtime”—not because the noontime show was ending but because of the stellar performance of Filipino boy band 1st One. On the show, the group—composed of Ace, Max, Alpha, J, Joker, and Jayson—introduced their new music to a broader audience.
Although “Paalam Na” is a song about goodbyes, it is also an invitation to dance. Its music video showcases the group’s impressive dance skills as they move in unison at the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila. What sets “Paalam Na” apart is how it marked a new chapter in 1st One’s journey—featuring fresh music, innovative creative direction, and choreography that truly reflects their artistry.
“It gives a glimpse of our sound,” Ace tells Style Weekend. “It is different from what we were doing before. We apply everything that we’ve learned from day one here. We’ve evolved—not just in our music but also in how we create it.”
“We are also proud of this music video because it allowed us to showcase how beautiful our country really is,” Jayson adds. “A good song deserves a good location, and we are, and always will be, proud to be Pinoy.”
Rising from the pandemic
1st One officially debuted in July 2020, under Seoul-based talent management agency FirstOne Entertainment. The members’ journey, however, began years earlier, training and honing their talents in South Korea. Pursuing a music career comes with challenges, but doing so during a global pandemic made everything seem nearly impossible.
During Style Weekend’s interview, 1st One recalled how hard it was to pursue their passion while sacrificing time with their families. “Before you go to training, you know that you’ll go home and meet your family. But that wasn’t the case during the pandemic,” J shares. “It was hard to fight the homesickness because we couldn’t go home and be with them. That was one of the sacrifices we had to make during that time.”
“The number one ingredient for a boy band to rise is the audience,” Joker adds. “It’s a two-way thing—us performing and the audience watching us.”
But it wasn’t all bad. The time away allowed the group to focus on their craft as they prepared for their moment in the spotlight. A defining milestone in their early career was their participation in the Seoul Music Awards in 2020. They opened the ceremony alongside K-pop artists like Monsta X, NCT, Red Velvet, and Twice, becoming the first Filipino artists to perform at this prestigious Korean awards show.
After a brief hiatus, 1st One made a comeback, signing a deal with Warner Music Philippines in 2022 to amplify their sound and presence locally. Their return was marked by the release of “Turn Up,” one of the first songs the band worked on as a group. In November 2022, their song “Shout Out” made it to the Billboard Hot Trending Songs chart.
Singing their own music
A reflection of their evolving sound and style is their recently released single “Wala Ng Iba.” With this track, 1st One is producing songs that go beyond just being a bop—they aim to create music that resonates deeply with listeners. “Wala Ng Iba” captures the sentiment of returning to the people and things we hold dear, a message that will resonate in today’s fast-paced world.
Creating music is a unique process for 1st One. According to the group, their inspiration comes from everywhere. What sets their music apart is their collaborative approach—merging their ideas to create a cohesive sound and experience.
“We are in a much better place now because we are immersed in the creative process,” Max says. “When an artist is involved in the creative process, you can feel their heart in the music, compared to songs created by someone else for them.”
Through “Wala Ng Iba,” 1st One hopes listeners realize that true happiness often lies in what we already have. The song invites fans to relive the beautiful moments that define them, making it a perfect addition to any playlist for the ultimate #StyleWeekend experience.
“It’s like turning ‘the first page after the last page’ of a cherished story, symbolizing the cyclical nature of love and warm feelings that we often revisit,” Ace explains.
Elevating P-pop
There is no denying that P-pop is having its moment. Many local groups are gaining fans not only in the Philippines but also globally. For 1st One, this is a proud moment for the local music scene, and they are thrilled to be part of its growth.
“We’re happy because there’s a lot of P-pop music being released,” Max says. “It’s great to see that these artists love what they’re doing—it’s evident just by listening to their songs. We feel happier supporting rather than competing with other artists. Music connects people—it makes people wonder.”
One aspect 1st One enjoys about today’s music scene is the number of P-pop concerts happening.
“Everyone is helping each other with these P-pop concerts,” Alpha notes. “It’s wonderful to see the rookies in P-pop and share the stage with them.”
“It’s exciting to see how, day by day, P-pop continues to rise,” Ace says. “We are committed to maximizing our time and presence on stage to elevate P-pop to greater heights, as the best 1st One we can be.”