SB19

SB19 was formed by ShowBT Philippines, the Philippine subsidiary of ShowBT Group in Korea, after the five members were selected out of hundreds of aspiring idols during a talent audition in 2016 and underwent the same type of training provided to K-pop idols,[10][11] attending classes ranging from voice and dance to personality development and body conditioning.[12] The group debuted on October 26, 2018, with their first single, "Tilaluha". Their initial effort at promotions, mostly in schools and malls, was met with a lukewarm reception.[13]

SB19 performing at Lazada 11.11 Supershow in Sofitel Harbour Tent on November 11, 2019.

Their second single, "Go Up", was released on July 19, 2019.[14] The group began gaining attention after uploading their dance practice video for the song to their YouTube channel,[15] which became a viral sensation on Twitter and Facebook after it was shared on the social media platform by a Filipino K-pop fan.[16] This paved the way for the group's appearance in various radio and television shows as well as coverage from different local and international media outlets.[17]

SB19 performing "Alab (Burning)" at PhilKorFest 2020 in front of Rizal Monument, Rizal Park, Manila on October 31, 2020

On November 20, 2019, SB19 became the first Filipino act to appear on the Billboard Next Big Sound chart.[18][19] They also became the first Filipino act to enter the Billboard Social 50, debuting at number 28 on the week of December 28, 2019,[20][21] and ascending over the following months. Jeff Benjamin, writing for Billboard, noted that their rise in the chart was aided by a growing international fanbase, and remarked that it was an indication that "more artists [will] continue to look East for inspiration and a larger audience".[22] Tamar Herman, writing for Forbes, mentioned that ShowBT Philippines' attempt to localize the K-pop model through SB19 is not unique, but SB19 is the first group in the Philippines to succeed in doing so partly because of their strategic use of social media, the main driver of their Billboard Social 50 chart achievements.[23]

SB19 performing "Hanggang sa Huli" at 6th Wish 107.5 Music Awards in Smart Araneta Coliseum on January 17, 2021

On December 25, 2019, Sony Music Philippines, Inc. announced that SB19 had signed a recording contract with them,[24] and on the same day, the group released their third single, "Alab (Burning)", under their new record label.[25][26] On March 9, 2020, SB19 was chosen as one of the emerging artists under Spotify's RADAR Program.[27][28][29]

On July 31, 2020, the quintet released their first album, Get in the Zone, on various digital music platforms.[30] The digital album, with nine tracks, includes their three previously released singles and two unreleased tracks, "Hanggang sa Huli" and "Love Goes".[31]

Two weeks after the release of their album, SB19 achieved their highest position in the weekly Billboard Social 50 chart, placing second behind BTS on the week of August 15, 2020.[32] A week later, the group reached another Billboard milestone by placing in the top five of two charts: 5th in the Emerging Artist chart, their highest ranking to date, while remaining 2nd in the Social 50 chart.[33][34] On the week of October 31, 2020, "Go Up" peaked at number two in Billboard LyricFind Global chart after debuting at number 17 the previous week,[35] while also making its initial appearance at number nine in the U.S. version of the chart.[36] Two weeks after, "Hanggang sa Huli" debuted at number 16 in Billboard LyricFind U.S.[37] while also debuting at number four in the chart's global version.[38] On the week of November 28, 2020, the group reached another career milestone, their first top one hit in a Billboard chart, after "Alab (Burning)" debuted at number one in Billboard LyricFind Global chart,[39] and at number six in the U.S. version of the chart.[39] On the succeeding week, "Tilaluha" also debuted at number one on Billboard LyricFind Global chart.[40] On the week of December 19, 2020, "Love Goes" claimed the top spot on its third week on the same chart.[41] The following week, "Ikako" also made its first appearance at number one, making it the group's fourth top one hit on LyricFind Global chart.[42] On the week ending January 16, 2021, "Wag Mong Ikunot ang Iyong Noo" also debuted at number one on the LyricFind Global chart, earning the group their sixth number one hit on the same chart, while also debuting at number 17 on the U.S. chart version.[43][44] On the week of January 30, 2021, the group earned their seventh number one hit, when "Go Up" topped the LyricFind Global chart, while reaching a new peak at number two on the U.S. version of the chart. [45][46]

On December 3, 2020, the group debuted at number six in Billboard Year-End Charts Social 50 Artists, making them the first Southeast Asian act to reach the top 10 of the magazine's annual chart.[47]