Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
BE:FIRST are navigating global recognition with a strong sense of Japanese pride, a homegrown love for music, and a drive to deliver musical excellence to the best of their ability.
On this episode of Billboard Philippines Volumes, the six-member Japanese boy group talks about what they carry as they represent J-pop on the global stage, working on the single “TOYFRIEND” with P-pop powerhouses SB19, what they’re most excited to see or try in the Philippines, and how it feels to come up on five years together as a group.
Listen to the stories of Sota, Shunto, Manato, Ryuhei, Junon, and Leo right here, only on Billboard Philippines. Subscribe for more content like this.
00:00 Intro
1:35 Who BE:FIRST are
2:48 Celebrating their 5th anniversary as a group
3:17 How each member fell in love with music
7:50 On collaborating with SB19 on “TOYFRIEND”
11:30 Differences between Japanese and Filipino fans
12:53 Importance of global collaborations, and what BE:FIRST brings to the table
14:35 Navigating the changes in their journey
16:09 What BE:FIRST’s music says about Japanese culture
17:05 How each member influenced BE:FIRST’s music
19:17 What legacy BE:FIRST want to leave behind
20:04 On their newest single “RONDO”
21:08 Who they want to collaborate with in the future
22:54 Fan Questions
26:08 What’s next for BE:FIRST
Follow us for exclusive access to the latest and freshest in music! We bring you the hottest local and global music charts, videos, news, and insights.
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCqgWFq6eGb_if7LuhCzUbrg
TikTok: tiktok.com/@billboardphofficial
Facebook: facebook.com/billboardphofficial
Instagram: instagram.com/billboardphofficial
Twitter: twitter.com/BBPHOfficial
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4pp5pKNhTZ76dz8ALzdNrf?si=22eabf97f8e049a9
BILLBOARD PHILIPPINES MEDIA CHANNELS
PUBLISHER
Anne Bernisca
CHIEF OF EDITORIAL CONTENT
Bret Jackson
MEDIA CHANNELS MANAGER
Kenneth Dimaano
PODCAST PRODUCER
Anton Molina
PRODUCTION ASSOCIATE
Megan Lim
VIDEO EDITORS
Jomar Allan
Lian Dela Cruz
COPYWRITER AND RESEARCHER
Nica Glorioso
PRODUCTION TEAM
DIRECTOR
Kenneth Dimaano
HOST
Bret Jackson
INTERPRETER
Aisaku Yokogawa
DOP
Jomar Allan
VIDEOGRAPHERS
Zoe Tapalgo
Mantta Baquilod
VIDEO EDITOR & COLORIST
Lian Dela Cruz
PRODUCER & AUDIO ENGINEER
Anton Molina
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Shaira Tiburcio
PRODUCTION ASSOCIATE
Megan Lim
WRITER & RESEARCHER
Nica Glorioso
GAFFERS
FTW Photo & Video
SPECIAL THANKS TO
BMSG, Inc. & Avex Music Creative Inc.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Ivan Panganiban
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Carlos De Guzman
Sam Ayson
MODERN MEDIA GROUP, INC.
CHAIRMAN & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Archie Carrasco
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Anne Bernisca
HEAD OF OPERATIONS
Nikki Balboa
Billboard Philippines is a prestige global media brand published by Modern Media Group Inc., a subsidiary of AGC Power Holdings Corp. Billboard is a registered trademark of Billboard IP Holdings, LLC. (c) 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. Under license from Billboard Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Media Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
#BillboardPH
#BBPHVolumes
#BBPHMediaChannels
BE:FIRST are navigating global recognition with a strong sense of Japanese pride, a homegrown love for music, and a drive to deliver musical excellence to the best of their ability.
On this episode of Billboard Philippines Volumes, the six-member Japanese boy group talks about what they carry as they represent J-pop on the global stage, working on the single “TOYFRIEND” with P-pop powerhouses SB19, what they’re most excited to see or try in the Philippines, and how it feels to come up on five years together as a group.
Listen to the stories of Sota, Shunto, Manato, Ryuhei, Junon, and Leo right here, only on Billboard Philippines. Subscribe for more content like this.
00:00 Intro
1:35 Who BE:FIRST are
2:48 Celebrating their 5th anniversary as a group
3:17 How each member fell in love with music
7:50 On collaborating with SB19 on “TOYFRIEND”
11:30 Differences between Japanese and Filipino fans
12:53 Importance of global collaborations, and what BE:FIRST brings to the table
14:35 Navigating the changes in their journey
16:09 What BE:FIRST’s music says about Japanese culture
17:05 How each member influenced BE:FIRST’s music
19:17 What legacy BE:FIRST want to leave behind
20:04 On their newest single “RONDO”
21:08 Who they want to collaborate with in the future
22:54 Fan Questions
26:08 What’s next for BE:FIRST
Follow us for exclusive access to the latest and freshest in music! We bring you the hottest local and global music charts, videos, news, and insights.
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCqgWFq6eGb_if7LuhCzUbrg
TikTok: tiktok.com/@billboardphofficial
Facebook: facebook.com/billboardphofficial
Instagram: instagram.com/billboardphofficial
Twitter: twitter.com/BBPHOfficial
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4pp5pKNhTZ76dz8ALzdNrf?si=22eabf97f8e049a9
BILLBOARD PHILIPPINES MEDIA CHANNELS
PUBLISHER
Anne Bernisca
CHIEF OF EDITORIAL CONTENT
Bret Jackson
MEDIA CHANNELS MANAGER
Kenneth Dimaano
PODCAST PRODUCER
Anton Molina
PRODUCTION ASSOCIATE
Megan Lim
VIDEO EDITORS
Jomar Allan
Lian Dela Cruz
COPYWRITER AND RESEARCHER
Nica Glorioso
PRODUCTION TEAM
DIRECTOR
Kenneth Dimaano
HOST
Bret Jackson
INTERPRETER
Aisaku Yokogawa
DOP
Jomar Allan
VIDEOGRAPHERS
Zoe Tapalgo
Mantta Baquilod
VIDEO EDITOR & COLORIST
Lian Dela Cruz
PRODUCER & AUDIO ENGINEER
Anton Molina
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Shaira Tiburcio
PRODUCTION ASSOCIATE
Megan Lim
WRITER & RESEARCHER
Nica Glorioso
GAFFERS
FTW Photo & Video
SPECIAL THANKS TO
BMSG, Inc. & Avex Music Creative Inc.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Ivan Panganiban
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Carlos De Guzman
Sam Ayson
MODERN MEDIA GROUP, INC.
CHAIRMAN & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Archie Carrasco
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Anne Bernisca
HEAD OF OPERATIONS
Nikki Balboa
Billboard Philippines is a prestige global media brand published by Modern Media Group Inc., a subsidiary of AGC Power Holdings Corp. Billboard is a registered trademark of Billboard IP Holdings, LLC. (c) 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. Under license from Billboard Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Media Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
#BillboardPH
#BBPHVolumes
#BBPHMediaChannels
