From music that turned into a movement and community—that is now called A’Tin (pronounced 18)—to making P-Pop a global fixture in the music scene, SB19 is the “it” group of today’s generation

This cover story is an excerpt from MEGA Entertainment’s May 2023 issue.

As the OG “Kings of P-Pop,” SB19 is generously paving the way for more talents to expand their reach. Now, they share their new six-track masterpiece Pagtatag, where they explore sounds and beats that will further cement their influence in the world’s entertainment arena.

Since meeting Pablo, Stell, Ken, Justin and Josh during their early days in the industry— sometime around their launch in 2018—I could never forget the image of them entering the hallways of a studio in Mandaluyong City, where I interviewed the group for a debut feature. Back then, a boy group with extremely cohesive looks and makeup, and edgy gender-bending style were still very new to the audience. They came in sweating, casually sharing with me that they had to wait for one another at a meeting point wearing their not-so-tropical-friendly attire. Add to the fact that most of them were coming from a dreaded Manila commute. 

That moment showed me that these boys were dedicated to their group’s image and style—one that blended seamlessly with their masterful performance. Their talent blew me and the audience away. After their fierce performance, they left the stage with a humble vibe, which remains palpable even up to this day. Despite the Billboard nominations and global feats, the boys are as still as nice and coy as when they started. 

During this shoot with the MEGA Entertainment team, I came in seeing the boys just quietly sitting in the corner while patiently waiting for their turn to pose in front of the camera. So when we sat down for the interview, we threw in the obvious question: what keeps them grounded? Stell had a stellar answer: the group keeps their fanbase in their hearts as they go along and achieve more success. 

He shares, “Lagi ko naiisip ’yong pinagdaanan namin. Before, sobrang eager namin maabot iyong ganito. Looking at it now na may ganitong mga sumusuporta sa amin, bakit namin kailangang magbago sa mga taong tumulong sa amin? Dahil ba may narating na kami? Kung magbabago, magbago ka in a good way.” The group members also keep each other in check. Josh chimes in, saying that he reminds himself all the time that everyone is equal: “Lahat naman pantay-pantay. Kung ano kaya naming gawin, puwede na mas magaling pa iyong iba. Iba-iba ang puwedeng ipamalas ng tao kaya hindi mo kailangan magmataas.”

Read more on the rise of P-Pop through SB19’s music movement in MEGA’s May 2023 issue, now available on Readly, Magzter, Press Reader and Zinio.

Photography RENZO NAVARRO
Creative Direction JONES PALTENG
Fashion Direction RYUJI SHIOMITSU
Beauty Direction MIA CASTRO
Styling RAIN DAGALA and EM MILAN, assited by RIOLIZA CAMANTIGUE, ELAINE VILLAPANDO, and JAY ANNE AGUIRRE of TEAM RAINxEM
Makeup OWEN SARMIENTO
Hair MARK FAMILARA
Fashion Assistant BITHIA REYES
Videography KIERAN PUNAY
Video Production AUDREY SISON