HORI7ON sets off on global pop group journey

It was just last year when these seven young boys were given the opportunity to become the next global pop group. Out of over 62 hopefuls, Jeromy Batac, Marcus Cabais, Kyler Chua, Vinci Malizon, Reyster Yton, Kim Ng, and Winston Pineda proved their worth and claimed their destiny as music idols.

The P-Pop group just released pre-debut single titled ‘Dash’ that’s now creating a buzz on social media.

After grueling missions, challenges, rankings and voting, they won the country's first idol survival show, “Dream Maker,” jointly produced by ABS-CBN, MLD Entertainment, and Kamp Korea.

Now known as HORI7ON (read “horizon”), the seven-member group is certified as Kapamilya and MLD artists as both entities continue co-managing the group's career toward global popularity.

During a press conference for their official contract signing, Malizon shared in Filipino, “I think this day solidifies our commitment as a group. We are starting to cement our place to have a representation on the global stage for the Philippines. We are so excited to continue this journey.”

Cabais added, “This is truly the most special and important day for us as a group, as HORI7ON. It's a blessing that we were the chosen seven to continue our dreams, which is why this is very meaningful to all of us.”

ABS-CBN Head of TV Production and Star Magic Head Laurenti Dyogi, ABS-CBN Business Unit Heads Reily Santiago and Marcus Vinuya, and MLD Entertainment CEO Lee Hyoungjin were present at the contract signing.

HORI7ON with ABS-CBN TV Production and Star Magic Head Laurenti Dyogi (leftmost) and CEO of MLD Entertainment Lee Hyoungjin (rightmost)

Dyogi expressed his pride for the newest all-male group by saying, “Our intention is to have a representation in the global idol group scene. We will make sure that this group will be successful, and we will do our best. Of course, we also need the support of our fellow Filipinos because, compared to other idol groups, HORI7ON came from a reality show. It was the public who chose the top seven.”

Since the show ended in February, the group has experienced many life-changing events, not only in their careers but with their bond.

“Our brotherhood has gotten stronger. There is pressure, but now we are more eager to train harder because we have a bigger responsibility to represent the Philippines. We need to become stronger and work hard every day,” said Pineda.

Asked to describe HORI7ON's sound and style, Malizon explained, “As of now, we're still talking about it and exploring it. We're still in the process of creating our style, but we already have many ideas that we want to show our fans and the global stage. But we'll focus on more upbeat songs for our debut, so I hope our fans will look forward to it.”

At the same event, HORI7ON showed a teaser for “Dash,” composed by “Dream Maker” Korean mentor and hit composer Bull$eye. The pre-debut single was released Wednesday.

More doors will likely open to Hori7on very soon, but Before they fly to South Korea, their fans can catch their local tour through April in Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Cavite, Koronadal, Gensan, and Zamboanga.