Last November, the world watched history unfold
As the USA voted for its new President, the topic trended online worldwide. Yet in the Philippines, people were tweeting “Paalam Na It’s Showtime”—not because the noontime show was coming to an end but due to 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 wider audience.

Although Paalam Na is a song about goodbyes, it also serves as an invitation to dance. Its music video showcases the group’s exceptional dancing skills as they move in unison within the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila. What sets Paalam Na apart is that it marks a new chapter in 1st One’s journey, highlighting their growth in producing music, creative direction, and choreography that reflect their unique artistry.

“It gives a glimpse of our sound,” Ace tells Style Weekend. “It’s different from what we were doing before. We applied everything we’ve learned from day one here. We’ve evolved, not just in our music but also in our creative process.”

“We are also proud of this MV because it allowed us to showcase how beautiful our country really is,” Jayson shares. “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 the Seoul-based talent management agency FirstOne Entertainment. However, the members’ journey began years earlier, training and honing their talents in South Korea. Pursuing a music career has always had its challenges, but doing so during the pandemic made everything seem almost impossible.

In their interview with Style Weekend, the group recalls the difficulty of following their dreams while being away from their families. “Before training, you know you’ll go home and see your family. But during the pandemic, that wasn’t the case,” J reflects. “It was hard to fight the homesickness because we couldn’t go home to be with them. That’s 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.”

But it wasn’t all bad. The time away allowed the group to focus on their craft as they prepared for their big moments. One early milestone was their performance at the Seoul Music Awards in 2020, where they opened the ceremony alongside K-pop artists such as Monsta X, NCT, Red Velvet, and Twice. This made them the first Filipino artists to perform at the prestigious event.

After a brief hiatus, 1st One made a comeback, signing with Warner Music Philippines in 2022 to amplify their presence locally. Their return was marked by the release of Turn Up, one of their earliest collaborative works as a group. Later that year, their song Shout Out appeared on the Billboard Hot Trending Songs chart.

Singing their own music

1st One’s recently released single, Wala Ng Iba, reflects their evolution as artists. The track represents their entry into a new era, producing music that resonates deeply with listeners. Wala Ng Iba captures the notion of returning to the things and people we hold dear—a sentiment that speaks to many in today’s fast-paced world.

Creating music is a unique process for 1st One. According to the group, their inspiration comes from everywhere, but what sets them apart is how they merge their ideas to create a sound that is distinctly their own.

“We are in a much better place now because we are immersed in the creative process,” Max explains. “When an artist is involved in the creation, you can feel their heart in the music compared to when it’s made for them.”

Through Wala Ng Iba, 1st One hopes to remind people that true happiness often resides in what they already have. The song invites listeners to relive the beautiful moments that define them, making it a perfect addition to any weekend playlist.

“It’s like turning the first page after the last page of a cherished story,” Ace describes, “symbolizing the cyclical nature of love and warm feelings we often revisit.”

Elevating P-pop

There’s no denying that P-pop is having its moment. Many local groups are gaining fans both in the Philippines and internationally. For 1st One, this is a proud time for the local music scene, and they are thrilled to be part of a thriving industry.

“We’re happy because so much P-pop music is being released,” Max shares. “It’s nice to know they love what they’re doing, just by listening to their songs. It makes us happier to see others succeed rather than compete with them. Music connects people—it makes them wonder.”

One trend 1st One particularly enjoys is the rise of P-pop concerts.

“Everyone is helping each other with these P-pop concerts,” Alpha notes. “It’s great to see the rookies in P-pop and share the stage with them.”

“It’s exciting to see how day by day, the level of P-pop continues to rise,” Ace adds. “We’re going to maximize our time and opportunities to elevate P-pop by being the best version of 1st One.”