After working with BTS and Bieber, Fil-Am choreographer Brian Puspos to mentor P-pop hopefuls

Brian Puspos

One of the things Filipino-American dancer Brian Puspos will always remember from working with BTS is the pop boy band’s unrelenting work ethic.

“Out of everyone I have worked with in my dance career, they’re the ones who really stick out to me. I’m a fan, not only of them, but of how hard they work. They’re [out there] 24/7. They put their blood, sweat and tears into everything they do,” he said in a recent virtual conference.

“I can’t say enough good things about their work ethic, which I really respect,” stressed Brian, who choreographed some of the acclaimed South Korean group’s songs, including “Butterfly,” “My Time” and “Serendipity.”

That’s the kind of discipline and dedication the internationally renowned choreographer will be looking for in the contestants of Cornerstone Entertainment and Cignal TV’s upcoming talent search, “Top Class: The Rise to P-Pop Stardom,” where he will serve as a mentor. “People embracing themselves and having the discipline to work hard. That’s what I will be looking for.”

Justin Bieber —REUTERS

Never settle

“I hope to see that from the contestants. It’s a high bar and it’s not an overnight thing. But if you have the passion and the dream, you really have to work for it and keep reaching. Never settle,” he said.

Brian is the latest addition to the “Top Class” faculty, along with KZ Tandingan and Shanti Dope, who were previously named as the vocal and rap mentors, respectively. And as a former talent search contestant himself, he knows a thing or two about competing and standing out onstage.

He was part of the Texas hip-hop dance troupe SoRealCru, which gained fame after winning the World of Dance competition, and finishing second in the reality television contest “America’s Best Dance Crew” Season 2 in 2008. In 2012, Brian returned for the contest’s seventh season, this time as part of Mos Wanted Crew, and finished third.

“Just be yourself … that’s how the cliché goes. But that’s important because God made us all unique and special,” Brian stressed. “From joining competitions, I have learned that it’s not really about your placement—first, second, third. It’s really just about making a lasting impression. If you pour your heart into something and present it onstage, you have already won.”

In terms of raw talent, Brian believes that Filipinos can go toe-to-toe with the best in the world. “From my experience, and as a Filipino dancer, I think we have what it takes. We’re naturally talented as performers in all areas,” he pointed out.

As a Filipino, it’s an honor, Brian said, to be part of “Top Class” and have a hand in molding future talents. “It means the world to me … It’s very important to me, as a Filipino and as a dancer, to help people reach their dreams and mentor them to get better,” he said. “It has always been a dream of mine to work in the Philippines and appear in shows my parents watch.”

Aside from BTS, Brian has also worked with other K-pop and Asian acts and artists like NCT 127 and Super Junior-M’s Henry Lau, as well as Western stars like Justin Bieber and Chris Brown.

BTS —REUTERS

Inspiration

“Most of my inspiration and work is me dancing to Chris Brown. And him recognizing my work, and reaching out, really gave me the confidence to pursue my career. Knowing that an icon has watched my work and commended it … it’s cool. It’s really special, as a Filipino here in the States, that these megastars are recognizing our work.”

His journey was filled with uncertainty. But he knew that he wouldn’t get any closer to his dream if he didn’t take risks. “I took a leap and kept doing the necessary moves to pursue my dreams. I positioned myself in the right environments and places, where you can be the best version of yourself,” he said.

“I was fearless and wanted it so bad,” he added. “God gave me the gift and I didn’t want to put it to waste.”

But despite his accomplishments, Brian still considers himself a “forever student.” On his left arm is a tattoo that says, “Meant to be greater”—a reminder that “no matter how far you get, you can always go for a little more.” And he believes that his stint in “Top Class” will be as instructive to him as it is to his mentees. “I’m a ‘forever student’ … I want to continue to learn and grow from the environment, people and community I will meet there [in the Philippines]. I still have room to grow,” he said.