Pre-debut K-pop boy group 3Way. Image: Courtesy of NineTwo Entertainment
Pre-debut K-pop boy group 3Way, also known as World Wide Wonder, is on the hunt for a Filipino member who will complete their team.
The upcoming group’s label NineTwo Entertainment joined forces with the Manila-based ShowBT Philippines to hold auditions for a Filipino member to complete the group’s lineup.
3Way is currently composed of eight members with five South Koreans (Donghyun, Hyecheon, Xiho, Jeongyoon, and Wooseok) and three Japanese (Rintaro, Leno, and Ryo).
Dubbed the “3Way Project,” the audition is open to male aspirants aged 16 to 25 years old. They are required to submit a dance and song cover videos “of any song” and proof of them dancing to 3Way’s pre-debut single “On My Way.” It will run from August 14 to 29.
READ: Why the Philippines is a ‘very important market’ for K-pop, Korean music
Aside from the Philippines, NineTwo will hold auditions in different countries to add more members in hopes of expanding 3Way’s uniqueness, diversity, and versatility.”
This, according to a press statement, aims to connect the upcoming group to “different cultures and nations for never-ending possibilities.”
ShowBT Philippines was the previous agency of P-pop powerhouse SB19.
The successful auditionee who will be selected as a 3Way member joins Filipinos making a name for themselves in the K-pop industry including Chanty of Lapillus; Elisia Parmisano and Gehlee Dangca in UNIS; and global boy group HORI7ON who promotes in the Philippines and South Korea.
The Philippines is recognized as one of the “most important markets” for K-pop, according to KAMP Global CEO Tim Kim in a 2023 media con, where he noted the similarities between the country and South Korea’s passion for music. In a data from X (formerly Twitter) in 2021, the Philippines is the third country with the most K-pop fans in the world.