BGYO

In 2018, ABS-CBN launched the Star Hunt Academy program, a project, led by ABS-CBN Head of Entertainment Laurenti Dyogi, which he had been planning for many years as a way to introduce Filipino talent "in the global stage".[9][10] The project screened 250 auditionees between the ages of 16 to 19 years old from all over the Philippines, from which the first set of male Star Hunt Academy trainees were selected. Although Dyogi initially hoped to debut a 7-member idol boy group, the 7 male trainees of the first set were eventually cut down to just 5 boys: Akira Morishita (Akira), Angelo Troy Rivera (Gelo), John Lloyd Toreliza (JL), Michael Claver Jr. (Mikki), and Nathaniel Porcalla (Nate).[11][12][13]

The group was trained from 2018 to 2020 under well-known Filipino mentors, including professional vocal coach and former chair of the Department of Voice, Music Theater and Dance at the University of the Philippines College of Music[14] Kitchy Molina, and Austrian-born dance coach Mickey Perz. They were also trained by South Korean coaches from MU Doctor Academy.[15][16][17]

In May 2020, Laurenti Dyogi released a performance practice video of Akira, Gelo, Mikki, and Nate dancing to Seventeen's "Let Me Hear You Say" to show their progress in training.[3][18][19]

In subsequent months, Star Hunt Academy released vlogs of the trainees on YouTube and uploaded various performance videos showcasing their progress in singing and in dancing on Twitter.[20]

In August 2020, the group participated in the Philippine Kpop Convention's Happy Hallyu event, performing K-pop dance covers, including EXO's "Tempo" and BTS' "ON".[21] In October 2020, they performed another set of K-pop dance covers and a vocal cover of EXO's "Sing for You" during the Philippines-Korea Cultural Exchange Festival online event.[22]

On December 4, 2020, the group signed a contract with ABS-CBN constituents Star Magic and record label Star Music. During the event, it was announced that the group will have its official debut in January 2021.[23][1][5]

In that same month, their medley performance of Sarah Geronimo's "Tala" and "Kilometro" on the popular noontime variety show It's Showtime gained around 2 million views, 75,000 reactions, and 3,300 comments on social media in just one day.[24][25]

BGYO Official Logo

Ahead of the debut date, Star Hunt Academy released a series of teasers for the group and on January 13, 2021 revealed the group's official name, BGYO, with its official logo.[20][26]

Described as a message of empowerment, hope, and self-love for the youth, MU Doctor collaborated with Rogan & Ddank to produce BGYO's debut single, 'The Light', with the English lyrics written by Korean-American composer and songwriter Distract, and with the Tagalog lyrics written by the BGYO members themselves to "reflect their own story in the song". The debut single features choreography by LAY BACK, who has worked with SuperM, Hyolyn, and Zico.[17][27][28]

On January 29, Star Music released the lyric video for 'The Light', hours before BGYO's first online fan conference that featured solo performances from each of the members showcasing their individual talents, as well as a short live performance of their debut single. During the conference, the members shared their journey from being trainees to becoming members of a rookie idol group. The event also saw the premiere of their official music video.[29][28]

On January 31, two days after their debut, BGYO was featured by EXO Baekhyun's Privé Alliance on the streetwear line's social media accounts, becoming the first P-Pop group to ever be featured by the clothing line. [30][31]

• Be The Light: The BGYO Launch[35][36][37]

• KTNX ANG BABAIT NINYO: THE KTX FUNDRAISING CHRISTMAS SPECIAL — P-Pop Rise[38][39]