Formed under First One Entertainment, the six-member group — Ace, Max, Alpha, J, Joker, and Jayson — debuted in July 2020 with the high-energy track “You Are the One (Ttak Maja Nuh).” But before they became musicians, they were dancers with a mission.

“There’s so much raw talent in the Philippines,” said the company’s Vice Chairman. “But not everyone gets the structure and guidance they deserve. We want to share what we’ve learned in Korea while respecting their Filipino roots.”

Ace, the group’s leader, echoed this: “We didn’t just train to perform — we trained to transform. Five of us went through a very intense audition process. Jayson joined later. But at our core, we’re all dancers. That’s our bond.”

From leading dance crews to becoming full-fledged entertainers, 1st.One added acting, songwriting, and comedy to their skillset. “We’re not just idols,” said Max. “We’re artists. We want to tell stories — through movement, music, and media.”

Despite success, they remain grounded. “First things first,” joked Joker. “We always go back to God, to our roots, to why we started this.” J added, “We were chosen for a reason. There’s a higher purpose in why we became 1st.One.”

Unlike most P-pop acts that lead with vocals, 1st.One builds from rhythm. “We think in choreography,” said Alpha. “But we’re not boxed in. We act, we sing, we write. Even two of us are in a Thai drama right now. We’re total performers.”

Jayson emphasized their live spontaneity: “No two performances are ever the same. We surprise our fans, and sometimes ourselves!”

Ace shared their core motivation: “We know people come to our concerts carrying burdens. If, for two hours, we can make them forget those and feel pure joy, then we’ve done our job.”

That same energy was on full display on June 24 when the group headlined Watsons’ Shop Now for EXTRA-mazing Surprises campaign launch at the Mall of Asia flagship store. With explosive choreography and powerhouse vocals, 1st.One turned the event into a full-blown concert.

“We couldn’t have picked a better group to lead this celebration,” said Joweeh Liao, Director of Health Business Unit, Finance, Property, and Store Development at Watsons. “1st.One embodies everything this campaign stands for — energy, excellence, and the ability to go the extra mile.”

Fans cheered as 1st.One shared the stage with rising OPM artist Amiel Sol, with the event doubling as a celebration for Watsons’ exciting new promos. These include the 1 Million Watsons Club Points e-raffle for members who spend P1,000 or more, and Viu subscription rewards for qualifying purchases.

“This is more than just a promo,” said Liao. “It’s our way of making shopping feel like a celebration — one where you’re valued, seen, and appreciated.”