How BINI’s historic appearance at KCON LA 2024 will promote P-pop’s rise

BINI members (from left) Colet, Maloi, Sheena, Gwen, Aiah, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Stacey. Image: ABS-CBN Corporate Communications

The continuous rise of BINI has reached new heights after they made history as the first P-pop group to grace KCON LA 2024, a three-day concert and convention featuring the biggest acts and rising stars of K-pop.

BINI is included in KCON LA’s lineup as a performer for the pre-show of the “M Countdown” stage on Saturday, July 27. They will also be part of the convention in a special “Meet the Rising Stars: BINI” panel the day after. This is a monumental feat as the annual KCON is one of the biggest K-pop festivals in the world.

According to Lai Frances, a Filipino-American journalist and KCON LA moderator/emcee/panelist for programming, BINI was originally invited as panelists where they would discuss how “K-pop goes beyond and meets P-pop.” It took a lot of discussion and back-and-forth between the involved parties before they were eventually chosen as a pre-show performer.

“I want the best for BINI,” Frances said. “It felt like everything fell into place. I know Sheena is a fan of Enhypen, and so is Colet. And they’re performing on the same day. I know that Sophia [Laforteza] from KATSEYE is Filipina herself and she’s going to be on Day 3. I want them to meet.”

BINI members (from upper left) Stacey, Maloi, Jhoanna, Aiah; (from lower left) Colet, Mikha, Gwen, and Sheena. Images: Metrophoto via X/@bini_ph

For Frances, BINI being part of KCON LA is more than just showcasing their abilities on a global scale. It’s also an experience for them “to feel good as a guest and attendee” which can ignite their spirits as a group.

“I want [BINI] to try and get the best experience the team could give them so they could feel good as a guest and attendee. [I want them] to experience KCON as it is and get more inspiration,” she said. “It’s something they deserve as fans and artists, to meet the people they love watching and wish to collaborate with. You never know what comes out of these things.”

Perfect timing

One of the factors why Frances pushed for BINI’s attendance was the timing. Their rise happened when female acts are taking charge of the music industry in different parts of the world.

“It came at the right time for the right people. When you’re coming from the Philippines, they pride themselves on balladeers and soloists. And then there are boy groups, but boy groups are always at the forefront of everything,” she said. “But what we’ve seen in trends and pop, is that female acts are on the forefront now. There’s a girl group renaissance happening and BINI is a part of it.”

Frances also pointed out that BINI has put “girl groups on the front lines for P-pop,” which is fateful to their title as the “Nation’s Girl Group” in the Philippines, making everything fit.

“I felt like they always present themselves [in a way] that what you see is what you get. It’s a breath of fresh air. What BINI brings is a piece of modern nostalgia. Nostalgic in a way that feels like music you’ve listened to growing up as a Fil-Am or as a kid, but modern in a way that it’s music that everyone listens to. It’s an ageless thing with BINI. Their music is ageless. It’s open to everyone,” she said.

“You see them selling out at events — you see kids, parents, and grandparents [enjoying their music]. And I think, knowing that Maloi is like a huge Twice fan, they’re both the Nation’s Girl Groups. I see the parallels and similarities. There’s also a level these groups have that makes them stand out in both markets,” she continued.

‘P-pop Rise’

Frances hopes BINI’s appearance at KCON LA will show the “power of Filipino fandoms” and prove “P-pop is here to stay.”

“Seeing P-pop rise feels like you’re rooting for your home team,” she said. “I hope this transcends P-pop to a global level where not only them would open the minds and hearts of fans in K-pop and beyond. P-pop is here. And P-pop is here to stay. Although P-pop has existed in the Philippines, it’s going to rise around the world.”

BINI members: Jhoanna, Stacey, Aiah, Sheena, Mikha, Maloi, Gwen, and Colet. Image: Instagram/@bini_ph

But while P-pop is finding its way up, Frances hopes the industry will see “more tours” and “continue to push more content” to interact with fans.

“For me, touring, and creating those unhinged moments that go viral. Because that’s where it all starts. Like with BINI, it’s like Sheena cooking and burning the hotdog for Colet. Maloi singing ‘ihi ng kambing,’ it’s about those viral moments that turn heads. When you get into K-pop, it’s visuals. But I feel the upper hand with P-pop is personality.”

When asked what makes P-pop stand out from its counterparts, Frances stressed it goes beyond singing, dancing, and performing. It also reminds Filipinos living in different parts of the world of home, even in the smallest things. One of the aspects she considered was that she didn’t have to wait for any subtitles because she understood what the artists were trying to say.

“There’s a level of being open. There’s a vulnerability aspect to P-pop. I think it comes with Filipino culture. You can present yourself with whatever you want. And when you do present yourself, it feels like you’re talking to your friend or family. That’s why I always say it feels like home. I feel like it’s just part of Filipino culture overall,” she added.

BINI members (from upper left) Jhoanna, Stacey, Maloi, Aiah, Sheena; (from lower left) Mikha, Colet, and Gwen. Image: Courtesy of Star Music

She also stated that another standout trait of P-pop is the stories shared through music. “There are happy and emotional messages, and messages common to us growing up. There’s a level of honesty when it comes to the music,” she said of the genre.

Citing BINI’s “Lagi” as an example, Frances said P-pop promotes honesty through shared experiences. “When P-pop promotes itself along with the music, they’re not afraid to talk about their personal lives and stories.”

“With P-pop, it’s like anything goes. They want to share these stories,” she continued. “It’s refreshing to hear. It makes you feel like you’re catching up with somebody and they want to get to know you. I think that’s what I love about it the most.”