SB19

Background

Formation and Training: SB19 was formed in 2016 by ShowBT Philippines, a subsidiary of the South Korean company ShowBT. The members underwent rigorous training similar to the K-pop idol system, emphasizing performance, dance, and vocals. The final members of SB19 are Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken and Justin.

Group Name: The letters in the group name were taken from the initials of ShowBT. The number 19 is derived from the country calling codes of South Korea (+82) and of the Philippines (+63)- the difference of 82 and 63, and the sum of the digits (8 + 2 + 6 + 3). It symbolized the collaboration of the two countries in the formation of the group. The members themselves, however, used the phrase “Sound Break”—for the goal to “break into the music scene”

Debut and Breakthrough: SB19 debuted on October 26, 2018, with the single “Tilaluha”, a sentimental ballad. Initially, they faced challenges of gaining attention in the Philippines, where P-pop was still developing, and K-pop was more widely popular. Their breakthrough single, “Go Up,” was released in July 2019. Initially struggling with mainstream attention, “Go Up” unexpectedly gained traction online due to a fan-uploaded dance practice video. This track, with its uplifting message and catchy dance moves, catapulted SB19 to fame and established them as major players in the P-pop industry

Continuous Growth and International Recognition: In July 2020, SB19 released their debut album, Get in the Zone. This album contained their previously released singles as well as new tracks that showcased various musical styles, from upbeat pop to slower ballads. The album received wide acclaim for its depth and production quality, helping SB19 gain a wider fanbase. In July 2021, SB19 released their first EP, “Pagsibol” (meaning “Growth”). The EP included hit tracks “What?”, “MAPA” and “Bazinga” along with other songs that emphasized themes of resilience and ambition. “Pagsibol” demonstrated the group’s artistic growth and deepened their reputation for socially conscious music. In 2022, SB19 released the single “WYAT”, a retro-inspired song celebrating human connection and togetherness. It served as the title track for their WYAT World Tour, which saw SB19 performing across multiple countries, showcasing their international appeal and further solidifying their place in the global music landscape. In June 2023, SB19 released another EP “PAGTATAG!” (meaning “establishment” or “strengthening”), which reflects a deeper exploration of complex themes and personal experiences. Featuring tracks like “Gento” and “Crimzone”, “PAGTATAG!” has been praised for its maturity and lyrical complexity. This album underscores SB19’s evolution and serves as a testament to their status as one of the most successful Filipino acts in the industry.

Self-Management: Alongside with the release of “PAGTATAG!”, the group announced that they had left ShowBT, and moved to self-management with their own label, 1Z Entertainment, which they formed to establish more creative freedom over their material. SB19 members are actively involved in the creative process, including songwriting, choreography, music video direction, and production.

Growth of P-pop: SB19’s success helped boost the P-pop genre, making Filipino music more recognized globally. They became a model for new P-pop groups and highlighted Filipino culture and language in their songs. Following their viral success, SB19 became the first Southeast Asian act to be nominated at the Billboard Music Awards. They also charted on the Billboard Social 50, joining global artists on the list and gaining a fanbase worldwide. SB19 continues to release music and tour internationally, expanding their reach. They’ve released multiple singles and albums, with a consistent focus on showcasing Filipino talent on the global stage.

Fandom Name: A’Tin (A word play of 18 and tagalog word “Atin” which means “ours”)

Members

Pablo

Josh

Stell

Ken

Justin

Discography

Album | EP | Single

Promotional Singles | Feature

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Company | Artists	Songs
JVKE – Golden Hour (SB19 Remix)	JVKE – golden hour (SB19 Remix)
Binibining Pilipinas 2022 (Jul 15, 2022)	Win Your Heart
Pinoy Big Brother (Mar 21, 2022)	Kabataang Pinoy (with Bini)
Love at First Stream (Film, Dec 24, 2021)	No Stopping You

Most Streamed Songs