For HORI7ON, ‘Sumayaw Sumunod’ is a love letter to OPM

HORI7ON in a concept photo for “Sumayaw Sumunod.” Image: Courtesy of MLD Entertainment

Bringing “Sumayaw Sumunod” to life was unforgettable for HORI7ON. For starters, they were able to enjoy their youth by filming the music video at a school while wearing uniforms, like normal students. All while carrying the daunting responsibility of bridging the gap between the Philippines and South Korea through music.

The seven-member group —consisting of Vinci, Kim, Kyler, Reyster, Winston, Jeromy, and Marcus—returned with new music in August with their second single “Daytour 2” featuring four versions of “Sumayaw Sumunod,” a revival of the 1978 track by The Boyfriends.

While adding a youthful spin to an OPM classic is a lot of pressure, the global pop group took the task into stride, as it was an experience that allowed them to hit two birds with one stone.

“We shot the music video at a school in South Korea. The experience made us happy because we felt like students,” Vinci, the group’s leader, told INQUIRER.net in a sit-down interview while looking back at the unforgettable moments in bringing the single to life. “We felt young and cheerful in the music video. I hope it was shown.” Marcus, in his case, considered it to be his favorite out of what they put out so far.

Apart from Marcus and Reyster writing some lyrics (particularly, the rap parts) in the track, exploring the nuances of the Filipino language with the company of Korean producers is what made them feel closer to home.

“There was a fun time where we had to decide how we would sing ‘gabi.’ We had a hard time what particular nuance we would use if we wanted ‘gabi’ or ‘gabe,’ and how we would make it more natural,” Vinci recalled. “Working with Korean producers was very fun because they would ask us how could we sing a certain part, making us think how we would do it too. It was a fun process.”

Playing along—as well as giving in to the writer’s “sample, sample” request—Kyler sang a sample of what the group’s leader pointed out, earning supportive smiles from his bandmates.

A year after debut

While enjoying their youth was one of the highlights of the creative process, HORI7ON still means business. They are still dedicated to standing as the bridge between the Philippines and South Korea—as they declared in a past interview—and the single is one of their ways of doing so.

“We’re hitting two birds with one stone. Not only we are solidifying our image as the Philippines’ representatives due to it being an OPM song, but we’re able to give chances for it to be a hit song all over the world,” Marcus said. “We’ll be promoting it in Korean music shows. Hopefully, internationally too.”

Jeromy, Kyler, and Vinci in a concept photo for “Sumayaw Sumunod.” Image: Courtesy of MLD Entertainment

This, among other things, is what remains constant with them. They still want to prove that a Filipino group can share their passion for music away from home. “We want to be the catalysts in bridging two countries together. We want I think we’re slowly building that bridge,” Vinci said, his tone turning serious. “As a global pop group, we want to reach out [to other listeners] internationally.”

“I hope we will have a world tour soon. We haven’t really tapped into America but that’s our next goal if everything goes as planned— nd everything goes well,” he said of their goal. “I hope we can go and conquer other nations as well, not just Asia.”

As they celebrated their first anniversary last July, HORI7ON said despite their past hardships, they’re grateful that many took a chance on them. Kyler said that while they’re rising as a group, he believes that they still have more opportunities to be better. “We started from the bottom until we’re slowly rising. We worked together through these changes. We’re hoping that we can enhance ourselves more, including our dancing and singing,” he said.

Winston, for his part, said he wants to keep going with a “grateful heart.” While looking back at the group’s journey, Reyster and Vinci chimed in to praise him for how much he had grown since their debut.

“Winston had such a huge improvement. You can see how much he worked hard,” Reyster said of his bandmate. Vinci, on the other hand, said this can be seen through his confidence to take on lines with a higher pitch.

“And [you can hear him more] while dancing!” Reyster said while gesturing to Winston who was seated beside him at the time. “Even myself! I didn’t expect that I would be part of the rap line even if I didn’t know anything about rap back then,” he said, referring to himself this time.

Winston, Kim, Reyster, and Marcus in a concept photo for “Sumayaw Sumunod.” Image: Courtesy of MLD Entertainment

Touching on their “Dream Maker” days, Kim and Jeromy said despite securing spots in the group, they would rather see it as people believing in their potential as artists. “It’s not because I’m perfect. I still have a lot to discover about myself,” Kim added.

Jeromy also noted that the group’s techniques in going through their day-to-day lives, on- and off-screen, helped him move forward as a HORI7ON member. “It helped me get through the highs and lows,” he pointed out.

The hunger to be better, according to Marcus, is rooted in the group’s passion to make an impact as global idols. “I believe in the saying that you have to love what you’re doing. I think none of this would’ve been possible if we didn’t love what we’re doing and we didn’t have the passion as global idols,” he said. “Since we’re so enthusiastic and we love what we do, everything happened naturally and it wasn’t forced.”

Throughout the interview, Vinci kept an observant eye as his bandmates took turns in answering the questions. But as soon as the questions become serious, this is where his leadership skills kick in, taking over with ease as if leading the group is now second nature to him.

“I think it’s really about following your guts and believing in yourself in everything you do,” Vinci said while looking back at what they learned in the past year. “Even if you’re struggling, you’ll still have the strength to move forward and evolve into greatness.”