Some groups that auditioned
in the Cebu K-Pop Star competition
A chance for pinoys to be the next K-pop star
There was a palpable excitement in the air at Icon Club, one of the city’s most visited nightlife destinations, last Sunday as true-blooded K-Pop
fans and curious spectators witnessed the staging of the seventh Cebu K-Pop Star competition.
The club was transformed into an arena of highly charged performers mimicking the dance moves of their K-Pop idols. Performances ranged from sweet to groovy as the groups did covers of the Red Velvet’s Ice Cream to BTS’s Not Today, among others, all dressed up in eye-catching costumes.
After almost an entire day of watching 30 soloists and 100 groups audition, South Korea Consul General in Cebu Sung Yong Oh handpicked two groups which will have the chance to represent the Philippines in the 2017 K-Pop World Festival to be held at Changwon, South Korea.
These are the all-female group Merge and the all-boy squad Rabb7e. Both received P10,000 cash as prize.
“Performing in South Korea is like the greatest dream any cover group could wish for. We had mixed emotions that time, crying and laughing at the same time, when our name was called.
To be given this chance is a huge opportunity for us and we thank everyone who supported Merge all the way,” said Kristie Malenn Auxilio.
Malenn performed a dance cover of Wattaman by I.O.I with group mates Cj Sy, Kim Go, Jess Jamero, Angel Insao, Roxanne Tuason and Caslin Barnes.
The group has 13 members but only seven were able to perform.
Rabb7e and Merge will meet with the Consul again for further deliberation. They will have separate interviews and video shoots. The video will be sent to the organizers of the K-Pop World Festival event after which the Consul will know if any of the groups qualify for the Sept. 29 championship.
Meanwhile, the group Equinox will also be sent to Manila for another K-Pop competition to be held on Sept. 9.
The Cebu Korean Association, organizing committee of the Cebu K-Pop Star, will trim down the number of auditionees from 130 to 50.
The chosen ones will go through the Pre-Finals on Aug. 13 at SM Seaside City Cebu. Those who will make it to the Top 25 will compete during the finals on Sept. 29 at SM City Cebu.