Hori7on (Korean: 호라이즌; RR: Horaijeun; MR: Horaichŭn; stylized in all caps) is a South Korea-based Filipino boy band formed in 2023. The group consists of seven members: Vinci, Kim, Kyler, Reyster, Winston, Jeromy, and Marcus. They are the first all-Filipino boy band act to debut in South Korea, and have been active in both South Korea and the Philippines since their formation.
The group's name, Hori7on, was conceptualized by the viewers of Dream Maker, and refers to "the dreams of seven boys, who started on the same line, gathered in one place, and face the same goal", according to the name's submitter.[1][2] The name was selected by the viewers out of a shortlist that also included the entries "B2in", "Pr7me", DM7, and Bright7, which were submitted by the public from January 21 to February 3, 2023, and was voted on at the finale of the show.[3]
We are getting serious in getting to the international arena. We are looking at all ways and means to get Filipino artists and Filipino talents to be recognized globally. We are happy to have partners who recognize Filipinos are talented and we can compete globally
—Laurenti Dyogi, Head of ABS-CBN TV production and Star Magic[4]
On September 7, 2022, executives from ABS-CBN Corporation, MLD Entertainment, and Kamp Global signed a deal to debut a Filipino boy band in South Korea that will be trained and managed by the three companies.[5][6] The former two companies have previously formed musical acts that included Filipino members. In 2021, ABS-CBN debuted P-pop groups Bini and BGYO,[7] through its talent management arm, Star Hunt, and another boy band, BoyBandPH, through the reality show Pinoy Boyband Superstar, in 2016.[8] Meanwhile, MLD Entertainment debuted a Filipino singer, Chanty, as a member of the girl group Lapillus in 2022,[9] in a move to target the Southeast Asian market.[10]
The members of the project boy band was determined through the survival competition series Dream Maker, which aired on A2Z and Kapamilya Channel from November 19, 2022 to February 12, 2023,[11][12] featuring 62 contestants competing to be part of the group.[13] At the conclusion of the show, Jeromy Batac, Marcus Cabais, Kyler Chua, Vinci Malizon, Reyster Yton, Kim Ng, and Winston Pineda were selected to form the lineup of Hori7on.[14][15][16]
The lineup of the group included several members who have held prior experience in the entertainment industry. Cabais started as a child actor, making his film debut in 2018, in Regal Films' My 2 Mommies, and later making appearances on It's Showtime[17] and Team Yey!,[18] before being part of a touring company of The Lion King musical, playing the role of young Simba from 2018 to 2020;[19] in 2017, Batac performed on Little Big Shots;[20] and in 2022, Ng competed on TV5's survival reality show, Top Class.[21]
The members of the group signed their exclusive contracts with ABS-CBN and MLD Entertainment, in a publicized event, on March 10, 2023.[22][23]
2023: Promotional releases and debut with Friend-Ship
The members of Hori7on appeared in promotional activities in the Philippines prior to their departure to South Korea.[24][25][26] While on the Philippines, the septet embarked on a mall show tour,[27][28] and held their first fan meeting event, at the New Frontier Theater, on April 22, 2023.[29][30] The group also performed on variety shows It's Showtime and ASAP Natin 'To.[31][32]
The group departed for South Korea on April 30, with the exception of Reyster, who experienced issues with the approval of his visa.[33] The staff of Ninoy Aquino International Airport drew flak online for their treatment on the group amid their departure.[34]
MLD Entertainment CEO Lee Hyung-jin initially announced that the group was slated for a June 2023 debut, via a media conference for the show's finale.[35] However, ABS-CBN News later reported that the group will debut in July.[36][37][38] In the run-up to their debut, the group released three pre-debut digital singles: "Dash", released on March 22;[39][40] "Salamat", released on April 5;[41][42] and "Lovey Dovey", released on May 31.[43][44]
The group later made its official debut on July 24, with the release of Friend-Ship and its lead single, "Six7een".[52] The release of the album was accompanied by a media showcase and a fan showcase held consecutively on the day of the album's release at the Olympic Hall at the Seoul Olympic Park.[53][54]The Philippine Star reported that the music video for "Six7een" surpassed two million views on YouTube within 24 hours.[55] The group held their first overseas performance at Kamp Fest, held from on August 19 to 20, at Mexico City.[note 1][56] To further promote the album, the group staged the one-off Voyage To Manila concert on September 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.[57][58][59]
On November 22, 2023, MLD confirmed that Hori7on will release a new single in January 2024.[64] The group performed at the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics on January 19, 2024.[65] On February 14, 2024, the agency announced the septet's first single album Daytour. The album and its lead single "Lucky" were released on March 2.[66][67] To promote the album, Hori7on embarked on a mall tour across the Philippines in collaboration with SM Supermalls from March 15 to April 13.[68][69] On November 3, 2024, Hori7on's "Daytour: Anchor High" concert was held at the Mall of Asia Arena.[70]
Hori7on is cited as the first all-Filipino boy band to debut in South Korea.[71][72] Moreover, the septet has been described as a "combination of the K-pop and P-pop genres",[28] having had received training from both Filipino and South Korean coaches before departing for South Korea,[73] where they underwent stringent training routines common in the K-pop industry in preparation for their debut.[74] The group was identified by The Korea Times as one of the groups that emerged during a trend from which non-Korean groups form a presence within the K-pop industry.[71] In the run-up to their official debut, Hori7on garnered media attention as "global rookies", with media outlets such as My Daily, noting their "unique presence".[75][76]
In an interview published in The Manila Times, on March 23, 2023, the group's leader, Vinci, stated that the group is "still in the process of creating their style".[77] On a press conference for their first fan-meeting, on May 4, Vinci shared that the group intends to incorporate "different flavors" in their music to match the contemporary trends in K-pop, taking influence from South Korean groups Fifty Fifty and Ive.[73] Members of the group have vowed to keep their "Filipino roots intact"[78] with their debut in South Korea, and have expressed that they wish to integrate Filipino lyrics into their songs to emphasize their Filipino identity.[73] On their debut showcase on July 24, member Jeromy shared that the group views NCT and Enhypen as role models.[79] Their debut single, "Six7een", incorporates elements of a "high-teen" concept.[80]
On July 6, 2023, the LCS Entertainment Group announced their plans to debut an all-Filipino girl group in South Korea, citing the success of Hori7on.[81][82]
Before their official debut, Hori7on was featured in billboards in the Philippines, South Korea, and the United States, particularly in Times Square, through fan-coordinated efforts on online voting sites.[83] The group's fandom name, "Anchors", was announced on April 22, 2023, at the group's first fan meeting.[84]Video jockey Ai Dela Cruz, who hosted the event,[85] explained that the name came from the "sincere hearts of fans who want to help Makers navigate toward their dreams and goals".[86]
^On August 16, MLD Entertainment announced that the Mexican Immigration Office notified the agency that Jeromy and Marcus, then both minors, were not allowed to perform in the festival due to age limitations set by Mexican minor labor policies.
^Kim, Su-jin (February 13, 2023). "한·필 합작 '드림 메이커', 데뷔조 7인 선발 완료 [공식]" [‘Dream Maker’, a Korean-Philippines collaboration, has completed the selection of 7 members in the debut group [Official]]. 언론사 뷰 (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
^Lee, Gee-eun (March 6, 2023). "'한·필 합작' 호라이즌, 필리핀 첫 공연 성료 '화려한 시작'" ['Korea-Philippines Collaboration' Hori7on successfully completed its first performance in the Philippines 'Brilliant start']. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
^Kim, Sujin (February 13, 2023). "한·필 합작 '드림 메이커', 데뷔조 7인 선발 완료 [공식]" [‘Dream Maker’, a Korean-Philippines collaboration, has completed the selection of 7 members in the debut group [Official]]. v.daum.net (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
^ abAsis, Salve (March 22, 2023). "Pre-debut single ng HORI7ON, trending kaagad" [HORI7ON's Pre-debut single, already trending]. Philstar.com (in Tagalog). Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
^Moon, Ye-bin (July 24, 2023). "닻 올린 호라이즌, 희망의 기준점 향한 항해" [Hori7on with an Anchor Raised, Sailing to the Reference Point of Hope]. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 24, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
^Kwon, Hyun-jin (July 24, 2023). "호라이즌, 한국 데뷔" [Hori7on debuts in Korea]. news1.kr (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 24, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
^Iglesias, Iza (December 15, 2023). "HORI7ON, SB19 win at AAA 2023". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on December 15, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
^Alpad, Christina (September 18, 2023). "SB19, HORI7ON join AAA lineup". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
^Lee, Seung-rok (May 26, 2023). "'한국 정식 데뷔 임박' 호라이즌, '러비 더비' 발표한다" ['Korean official debut imminent' Hori7on announces 'Lovey Dovey']. mydaily.co.kr. Archived from the original on June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
^Myung, Hee-sook (July 24, 2023). ""롤모델 NCT·엔하이픈"…호라이즌, 한국 팬심까지 잡을까 [엑's 현장]" ["Role model NCT Enhypen"... Hori7on, will it catch the Korean fan heart [EX's scene]]. www.xportsnews.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
^Hwang, Soo-yeon (July 15, 2023). "호라이즌, 데뷔곡 'SIX7EEN' MV 티저…청량한 분위기 '눈길'" [Hori7on, debut song 'SIX7EEN' MV teaser... Refreshing Atmosphere 'Eyes']. www.xportsnews.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
^Myung, Hee-sok (June 22, 2023). "호라이즌, 서대문역→美 타임스퀘어까지 등장 '글로벌 팬덤 탄탄'" [Hori7on, Seodaemun Station → U.S. Times Square Appeared 'Global Fandom Solid']. entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 25, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
^Jeong, Ga-young (April 23, 2023). "호라이즌, 첫 팬미팅 성료…"'앵커' 무한 사랑 감사해"" [Hori7on, successfully completed their first fan meeting... “Thank you for your infinite love for ‘Anchor’”]. Naver News (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
^Friend-Ship (photobook). Hori7on. South Korea: MLD Entertainment. 2023. Credits.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^HORI7ON 'LUCKY' MV (Music video) (in Korean). MLD Entertainment. March 2, 2024. Archived from the original on July 27, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
^Advincula, Lance Romae (March 19, 2023). "HORI7ON, wagi sa 'I Can See Your Voice'" [HORI7ON, victorious on 'I Can See Your Voice']. Balita - Tagalog Newspaper Tabloid (in Tagalog). Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
^Moon, Wan-sik (November 14, 2023). "2023 AAA 인기상 주인공은? 아이돌챔프, 오늘(14일) 결선 투표 시작[공식]" [Who will win the 2023 AAA Popularity Award? Idol Champ, final voting begins today (14th) [Official]]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023 – via Naver.
^"호라이즌·루네이트, AAA 포커스상 수상 "큰 무대 수상 감사"[2023 AAA]" [Horizon·Lun8 won the AAA Focus Award, “Thank you for winning the big stage” [2023 AAA]]. Star News Korea (in Korean). December 14, 2023. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
^Jeong, Hyeon-tae (November 4, 2024). "임영웅·니쥬→변우석·김혜윤, 'AAA 2024' 인기상 차지?...결선 투표 오픈" [Lim Young-woong·Niziu→Byeon Woo-seok·Kim Hye-yoon, 'AAA 2024' Popularity Award?...Final Voting Open]. Single List (in Korean). Retrieved November 20, 2024.
^"BTS ジン&NiziUが1位に!日韓共同プロジェクト「K-STAR MVA」ネクストスターはn.SSign&XGに決定" [BTS Jin & NiziU take first place! The next star of the Japan-Korea joint project “K-STAR MVA” has been decided as n.SSign & XG]. Kstyle (in Japanese). October 13, 2023. Archived from the original on October 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
^"K-STAR MVA". K-STAR MVA (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
^Jang, Seul-gi (December 21, 2023). "[라온신문] 호라이즌, '대한민국한류대상'서 '해외 라이징스타부문' 수상" [Horizon wins ‘Overseas Rising Star Category’ at ‘Korea Hallyu Awards’]. Raon Newspaper (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.