SB19 members (from left) Justin, Stell, Pablo, Ken, Josh. Image: Sony Music Philippines
Updated, Aug. 24, 6:57 p.m.
It is not everyday that we see a Filipino group being copied by foreign acts. Such was the case for the all-Filipino boy group SB19, when its smash hit “Gento” got transformed into a social media sensation. Who would have thought that “Gento” has amassed over 1.7 million posts showcasing individuals from various corners of the globe grooving to the infectious beat on TikTok.
Three months since its release, the song became so popular that netizens put their dance moves into the test, with Ken, Pablo, Josh, and Justin’s deep voices growling, “Gento gento / ‘Di ‘to basta-basta bingo bingo / Need mo ma-kumpleto parang bento gento / Ano kaya mo / Pilit na hinukay ang bumbunan makakita lang ng ginto ginto / Kahit na wala pang hinto ciento por ciento bawat bitaw ko mismo ‘eto kaya mo / ‘Di ka basta-basta makakakita ng gento,” while Stell would croon, “Gento” as soon as the first chorus ends in a drop.
But apart from its snappy beat, the song is an apparent play of the words, “ganito (like this) ginto (gold), and gento (Caviteño word for ganito),” which is meant to symbolize the quintet’s growth. From the lyrics itself, it’s clear that SB19 made a mark in the global music scene even if they’re just getting started.
Aside from our local stars, international stars couldn’t help but join in the “Gento” dance craze on Tiktok, with some even performing a dance cover on South Korea-based 1theK Originals’ “Count Dance” on YouTube.
As SB19 hits the final stop of their “Pagtatag” world tour in Edmonton, Canada, allow us to celebrate the success of their second concert gig by listing down some of the global stars who danced along to the hit song.
Cravity’s Taeyoung and Hyeongjun
Cravity’s Taeyoung and Hyeongjun are among the more recent foreign celebrities who took part in the “Gento” dance challenge on Tiktok, which was uploaded on the boy group’s official Tiktok page on Aug. 3.
“Our dance continues,” Cravity wrote in Korean.
@cravityofficial 왕눈즈의 춤은 계속된다 2 #CRAVITY #크래비티 #형준 #HYEONGJUN #태영 #TAEYOUNG #GENTO ♬ GENTO – SB19
Even before the group’s exclusive interview with INQUIRER.net, some of the members asked how “popular” the hit song was in the country, as it was mentioned in a previous exchange with another reporter.
The group nonetheless delighted their fans with a cover as a group during their “Masterpiece” concert last Aug. 5, as captured by Manila Concert Scene’s Kevin Pableo on Twitter.
WATCH: Cravity members performing GENTO of SB19 during their Manila show in @NewFrontierPh #CRAVITYinManila #CRAVITY_1ST_WORLD_TOUR pic.twitter.com/rqGUdNgvx0
— Kevin, The Concert Dawg (@Kevin_Pableo) August 5, 2023
The nine-member group was formed under Starship Entertainment, and consists of Serim, Allen, Jungmo, Woobin, Wonjin, Minhee, Hyeongjun, Taeyoung, and Seongmin. Some of their hit songs include “Adrenaline,” “Veni Vidi Vici,” and “My Turn,” among others.
2NE1’s Minzy
Solo artist Minzy, who was a member of 2NE1, also joined the challenge last July upon the recommendation of her bandmate Sandara Park.
“Gento 100% ver. Challenge recommended by [Sandara Park]. I’m practicing before lunch,” her Instagram caption read.
Chachi Gonzales
Internet personality Chachi Gonzales showed off her undeniably snappy moves in her cover of the song on Tiktok, where she thanked her followers for requesting the song.
“To all my Filipinos in the comments who requested this…thank you for turning me on to this song,” she wrote.
@itschachigonzales To all my Filipinos in the comments who requested this…thank you for turning me on to this song 🔥💃🏻 🇵🇭 #Gento #gentochallenge #fyp @SB19 Official ♬ GENTO – SB19
Aiki
Aiki, a South Korean choreographer who made the steps of BTS’ “#Move4Gen1” dance challenge” for the song “I’m on It,” added a hip-hop twist to “Gento,” where her natural groove can be seen in her steps.
@aiki_kr연습중 몸풀기♬ GENTO – SB19
The choreographer is also known for her appearance in the reality show “Street Woman Fighter,” where she joined as a contestant in 2021.
Huening Lea
Korean-American internet personality Huening Lea admitted on Tiktok that dancing along to “Gento” was “really hard,” but she maintained that she nonetheless had “fun.”
@lea_navvab Tried it!!!! This is really hard 😢 but!! Fun💛@SB19 Official ♬ GENTO – SB19
Lea is the older sister of K-pop idols, namely, Huening Bahiyyih of Kep1er and Huening Kai of Tomorrow X Together (TXT).
Mirae’s Dou-hyun, Khael and Siyoung
Dou-hyun, Khael and Siyoung of up-and-coming K-pop group Mirae performed a short cover of the hit song in 1theK Originals’ “Count Dance,” as seen on the South Korean platform’s YouTube channel on July 17.
Formed under DSP Media, Mirae is a seven-member group composed of Junhyuk, Lien, Dohyun, Khael, Dongpyo, Siyoung, and Yubin. Some of their songs include “Killa,” “Drip N’ Drop,” and “Marvelous.”
What makes this performance a big deal is that 1theK Originals is a web series produced by media conglomerate Kakao M. Also included in the video are short covers performed by NCT, Stray Kids, LE SSERAFIM, and ATEEZ.
&TEAM’s K
Yudai Koga, popularly known as K, made sure to create “another slay” by performing a bit of the song’s chorus, as seen on &TEAM’s official Tiktok page.
“Another day another slay,” he wrote.
@andteam_official Another day another slay🔥 #andTEAM #K #GENTO ♬ GENTO – SB19
The Japanese group was formed through the reality show “&Audition: The Howling,” and consists of K, Fuma, Nicholas, EJ, Yuma, Jo, Harua, Taki and Maki.
UNiFY
J-pop group UNiFY were also spotted performing “Gento” at an undisclosed event, which was captured by one @ttttkkkkkj on Tiktok.
@ttttkkkkkj 少し叫びましたごめんなさい🙇♀️#UNiFY #推しカメラ #推し@UNiFY @富園力也 @ばしこ @たーかーら ♬ オリジナル楽曲 – まるすけ👼🏻
YOUNITE’s Eunho and Hyungseok
YOUNITE’s Eunho and Hyungseok were among the K-pop idols who joined in the viral dance challenge on Tiktok, where their powerful moves complimented the track’s steps really well.
@younite_bnm GENTO Challenge 🐻🐵🔥🔥 #SB19 #GENTO #YOUNITE #유나이트 #은호 #EUNHO #형석 #HYUNGSEOK #fyp #trend ♬ GENTO – SB19
The Boyz’s Jacob, Sunwoo, Juyeon
Jacob, Sunwoo, and Juyeon appeared to enjoy dancing along to “Gento” fun, as they danced along to its signature moves on multiple occasions.
Jacob was seen doing the dance steps of the song during the dance break of their performance for “Thrill Ride,” as captured by one @i00ks on Twitter, which took place at the group’s “Zeneration” concert in the country last July.
the boyz jacob doing some gento moves WE LOVE TO SEE IT!!!!!pic.twitter.com/iFPbFeu65S
— 니코 ~ ☁️ (@i00ks) July 15, 2023
Meanwhile, Sunwoo did a few of “Gento’s” steps during the group’s “Zeneration” show in Bangkok, Thailand earlier this month.
@tbz_meosocsunhak Sunwoo ở concert Bangkok cháy quá #xuhuong #gento #theboyz #더보이즈 #sunwoo #선우 ♬ GENTO – SB19
On the other hand, Juyeon seemed to have enjoyed listening to “Gento” a little too much as he danced along to the Filipino hit during KCON in Los Angeles, U.S., which was recorded by one @dy4ni_ on Twitter, and during the group’s “Zeneration” concert in Thailand.
Juyeon doing SB19’s Gento!!!! #TheBoyz #kcon #KCONLA2023 #SB19 pic.twitter.com/6hfgQlZ1DU
— Dyani | The B.E.L.U. Lineup (@dy4ni_) August 21, 2023
@hovivi_ #juyeon #gento #fyp @THE BOYZ ♬ GENTO – SB19
The boy group, composed of Sangyeon, Jacob, Younghoon, Hyunjae, Juyeon, Kevin, New, Q, Haknyeon, Sunwoo, and Eric, recently filmed the music video for their song “Lip Gloss” in Siargao.
Tempest’s Hwarang
Hwarang, rapper and lyricist of K-pop group Tempest, appeared to be enjoying the Filipino hit as he showed off his powerful moves at a practice room.
@tpstofficial_ 화랑이 걘 또🦊❤️🔥 #TEMPEST #템페스트 #화랑 #HWARANG #SB19GENTO #GENTO ♬ GENTO – SB19
LUN8’s Takuma, Junwoo, Ian
Newly-debuted group LUN8 was also among the idols who did “Gento” justice, with Takuma, Junwoo, Ian moving along to its steps using their respective style.
@lun8_official Gento⚡️ #루네이트 #LUN8 #타쿠마 #Takuma #준우 #JunWoo #이안 #Ian #Gento ♬ GENTO – SB19
ATEEZ’s San and Hongjoong
San, who’s noted for his performance abilities, put his dancing and charisma to the test as he did a short cover of the P-pop hit, as seen on ATEEZ’s official Tiktok page.
@ateez_official_ GENTO #ATEEZ #에이티즈 #SAN #산 ♬ GENTO – SB19
Hongjoong, on the other hand, has yet to put his moves to the test, but that didn’t stop him from sending fans into a frenzy after mentioning the song’s name on a radio show, which was captured by one @atzchasedii on Tiktok.
@atzchasedii Hello world We need ATEEZ x SB19 😭😭😭 #ATEEZ #에이티즈 #SB19 #bouncy_challenge #bouncy #gentodancechallege #gento #gentosb19 #atiny #atin #fyp #fypkpop #ppop ♬ GENTO – SB19
JUSTB’s DY
DY, whose dance style resembles the movements of a carefree bird, took on the P-pop hit on Tiktok while adding his own twist to the choreography.
@justb_official 도염이 겐토 챌린지 왔다..❤️🔥 #JUSTB #저스트비 #전도염 #DY #SB19GENTO #trend #foryou ♬ GENTO – SB19
Kep1er’s Dayeon
Proving her knack for picking up choreographies in a snap, Kep1er’s Dayeon showed off her dance prowess with a cover of “Gento” on the official Tiktok page of the K-pop girl group.
“QUEEN,” the caption read.
@official_kep1er QUEEN👑 #김다연 #DAYEON #Kep1er #케플러 ♬ GENTO – SB19
OnlyOneOf’s Junji
Junji’s knife-like movements were a match made in heaven with “Gento,” as he did the choreography to the hit song with such ease, the video of which was uploaded on OnlyOneOf’s Tiktok page.
@onlyoneofofficial GENTOOO⚡️#OnlyOneOf #JunJi #GENTO ♬ GENTO – SB19
GreatGuys
Jaei, Uiyeon, Horyeong, Daun, Baekgyeol, Donghwi, Hwalchan, Haneul, and Dongin of GreatGuys appeared to be a fan of “Gento” as they expressed their admiration for its catchy beat through a short cover as a complete group.
“The song is really good!” the caption read.
@greatguys__official The song is really good!👍 #greatguys #멋진녀석들 #grace #그레이스 #SB19GENTO #SB19 #GENTO #gentochallenge #gentochallengebysb19 ♬ GENTO – SB19
CIX’s Bae Jin-young
Bae Jin-young sent fans into a frenzy as he did a short cover of “Gento” at what appeared to be random dance challenge during a fan meeting. It can be noted that Jin-young is a familiar name among K-pop communities since he’s a member of project group Wanna One, who was one of the biggest groups of the genre’s third generation.
The third generation of K-pop covers the groups who debuted around 2012 to 2018, including BTS, Blackpink, EXO, TWICE, Seventeen, Red Velvet, GOT7, and Mamamoo, among many others.
@mochibaeb Bae Jinyoung #Gento Challenge! 💘✨️##cix #씨아이엑스 #배진영 #baejinyoung #kpopedit #kpopfyp #kpop #SB19 ♬ GENTO – SB19
Lapillus’ Chanty, Yue, Haeun
Chanty made sure to show some Pinoy pride in the idol scene by doing a short cover of “Gento” with her bandmate Yue, as seen on Lapillus’ official Tiktok page.
@official_lapillus♬ GENTO – SB19
The group’s youngest member Haeun also participated in the “Gento” fever on social media, whose video was re-uploaded by fan account @JShenrick_m on Twitter.
HAEUN of the kpop girlgroup “Lapillus” dancing to SB19’s Gento?!?!?@SB19Official #SB19#SB19GENTO #GENTO pic.twitter.com/jO8Udz2Ea8
— JJ ⚠ (@JShenrick_m) June 3, 2023
EDV