South Korea-based Filipino global group HORI7ON released their new song “Sumayaw Sumunod.”
This is a remake of the well-known song “Sumayaw Sumunod” originally released by Filipino band “The Boyfriends” in 1978.
HORI7ON’s version came 46 years after the original was released, highlighting the song’s appeal.
Filipino global group HORI7ON at their media conference for "Sumayaw Sumunod" at the SM North EDSA Skydome (Photos: Jonathan Hicap)
HORI7ON members (from left) Vinci and Jeromy at the media conference for "Sumayaw Sumunod" at the SM North EDSA Skydome (Photo: Jonathan Hicap)
HORI7ON members (from left) Marcus, Kyler and Reyster at the media conference for "Sumayaw Sumunod" at the SM North EDSA Skydome (Photo: Jonathan Hicap)
HORI7ON members (from left) Winston and Kim at the media conference for "Sumayaw Sumunod" at the SM North EDSA Skydome (Photo: Jonathan Hicap)
Before this, HORI7ON (호라이즌), composed of members Vinci, Kim, Kyler, Reyster, Winston, Jeromy, and Marcus, marked the first anniversary of their debut.
They debuted in South Korea with the album “Friend-Ship” in July last year, becoming the first Filipino pop group to do so.
On Aug. 18, HORI7ON performed at the Watson’s Playlist P-Pop Power Concert in the country.
Last July 13, the boy band performed at the Galaxy AI Festival at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig that also featured EXO's Xiumin, BINI, Maki and Juan Karlos Labajo.
HORI7ON at the Watson’s Playlist P-Pop Power Concert (Instagram)
HORI7ON with EXO's Xiumin at the Galaxy AI Festival on July 13 (Instagram)
In their first year since debut, HORI7ON garnered achievements and reached milestones.
“Sumayaw Sumunod”
In an interview with Manila Bulletin during their media conference for “Sumayaw Sumunod” hosted by Lapillus member Chanty at the SM North EDSA Skydome, , HORI7ON members talked about their new song, most memorable achievements in the past year and working with legendary Korean singer Lee Seung-chul.
HORI7ON reinterpreted “Sumayaw Sumunod” with a refreshing melody and said they were happy to release it.
“It’s our first time to release a remake of a song and this time it’s an OPM classic,” said Vinci.
He added, “We were just really waiting for it to happen. We’re so glad it’s ‘Sumayaw Sumunod,’ a very known song here in the Philippines. Everyone knows ‘Sumayaw Sumunod’ by The Boyfriends. It was also covered by Ogie Alcasid, Sexbomb Girls. Now that we are in the Generation Z we now want to show that side of ‘Sumayaw Sumunod.”
HORI7ON said they are excited to perform “Sumayaw Sumunod” in Korean TV music shows.
“First in the Philippines and then we are going back to Korea to perform in Korean music shows,” said Vinci.
1st anniversary
HORI7ON made their debut in South Korea last year under Korean agency MLD Entertainment, which launched K-pop groups Momoland and Lapillus.
In their first year, HORI7ON garnered achievements and milestones.
When asked to name their memorable achievements in the past year, HORI7ON mentioned receiving the AAA Focus Award at the 8th Asia Artist Awards (AAA) held at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan in the Philippines on Dec. 14 last year.
HORI7ON (MLD Entertainment)
HORI7ON on the red carpet at the Asia Artist Awards (AAA) at the Philippine Arena on Dec. 14 last year (Jonathan Hicap)
They also cited their first-ever concert in Manila. On Sept. 9 last year, HORI7ON held their first concert “Friend-SHIP [Voyage To Manila]” at the Araneta Coliseum.
HORI7ON at their first concert in Manila in September last year (X)
“We got to perform on Korean (TV) music shows,” said Vinci.
They also mentioned their win at the 2024 Forbes Kpop Awards, which resulted in HORI7ON being featured in Forbes Korea magazine in its July 2024 issue.
Working with singer Lee Seung-chul
HORI7ON members said they were honored to perform with well-known Korean singer Lee Seung-chul at his Rock’n All Concert at Inspire Arena in Incheon, South Korea in July.
Before this, HORI7ON’s Kyler and Korean actress Kal So-won starred in the music video of Seung-chul for the song “It’s Rainy Day.”
“Lee Seung-chul is a legendary figure in Korea so it was a big deal. So much pressure for us to deliver a great stage at his concert. We were there for two days and we performed our song ‘Six7teen,” said Vinci.
HORI7ON’s Kyler and Korean actress Kal So-won in the music video for Lee Seung-chul's “It’s Rainy Day.” (Screenshot from Lee Seung-chul's music video)
HORI7ON with Korean singer Lee Seung-chul (3rd from right) (Instagram)
Forbes Korea magazine feature
Forbes Korea held the 2024 Forbes Kpop Awards voting on the Idol Champ app from May 16 to June 12 this year and asked people “Which boy group shine the brightest in the first half of 2024?”
HORI7ON bagged first place, getting 68.64 percent of the total votes in the final voting.
As a reward for their achievement, Forbes Korea featured them in the July issue of the magazine.
HORI7ON is featured in the July 2024 issue of Forbes Korea (Photo from Forbes Korea)
The results of the Forbes Korea voting (Screenshot from Idol Champ app)
“Super shocked,” said Marcus. “We didn’t really expect to be given that achievement. We were thankful when we saw it. It just really showed that our hard work and little by little, we are really achieving more things.”
Vinci said, “It would not have been possible without our Anchors, our fans. They continue to support us. We didn’t have a clue that we would be included in the prestigious name as Forbes. We are super honored. That’s what HORI7ON and Anchors are always building up: success.”
Brand ambassadorship with JBL Philippines
JBL Philippines announced that it picked HORI7ON as its new brand ambassador.
HORI7ON attended the official JBL event “JBL Legendary Sound, Epic Moments” held in Cebu in the country on July 2.
HORI7ON (X)
"We are delighted and honored to collaborate with a high-quality brand like JBL. As a group of people who love music, we believe this is a perfect partnership. We look forward to the upcoming exciting and thrilling opportunities with JBL, so please stay tuned," HORI7ON said at the event.
Vinci said they are honored to be JBL Philippines’ brand ambassador.
“We only had our one year. We are still rookies. We’re still young artists. So it’s actually a big thing for us to have a brand ambassadorship this young going into our career,” he said.
According to him, “I hope more brands trust us because that’s what we are also trying to build. Partnership with other brands so our group will be known more.”
Message for fans
HORI7ON expressed their gratitude for the continued support of their fans, the Anchors.
“We really appreciate you, our Anchors, because really we're always trying to show you guys our love. We know how much you guys love us and we're always just trying to bring it back to you guys. Thank you,” said Marcus.
“Sumunod Sumayaw” is available on music streaming sites.