MANILA, Philippines – JL Gaspar, a rising star in the world of K-pop, is proving that Filipino talent knows no bounds.
JL is capturing the hearts of mentors and fans as a contestant on SBS’ Universe League, the male counterpart to the successful survival show Universe Ticket, which debuted Filipina idols Gehlee Dangca, Elisia Parmisano, and Filipino-Korean Jin Hyeon-ju of UNIS.
Before JL became the sole Filipino contestant of the South Korean show — and now one of the finalists — the 20-year-old was also a member of PLUUS, SBTown’s P-pop boy group.
Dream come true
Born in 2004 in Muntinlupa, JL’s journey from local stages to the global spotlight began with SBTown’s rigorous SB Talent Camp, where he trained for four years alongside his PLUUS bandmates Justin, Haro, Gab, Theo, and Yen. The group debuted in March 2023, marked by the release of their mini-album PLUUS +.Y.M.
In September 2024, PLUUS announced that they’d proceed with their activities as a four-member group while JL is in Korea for Universe League, which started in November 2024.
JL announced his departure from the group during their PLUUS in Motion fan meeting, where he appealed for their supporters’ understanding. He then shared how being an idol has been his dream for quite a long time as he loves music and K-pop.
“Bata pa po ako na-enjoy ko na po talaga ‘yung makinig sa music, especially K-pop, and ‘yun po ang reason kung bakit ko pinursue ‘yung dream ko,” JL shared.
(Ever since I was a kid, I already enjoyed listening to music, especially K-pop, and this is the reason why I am pursuing my dream.)
JL mentioned that he is bound for another challenge as another opportunity has opened for him.
“I think I am up for another different challenge naman. Nagkaroon po ng opportunity for me to audition po sa K-pop survival show program and…I passed the audition po,” JL explained.
‘”Yun po, pinagisipan po naming lahat ‘yun, especially, pinagisipan ko rin po ‘yun. And marami rin po siyempreng gagawin po, given na maraming opportunity na gagawin sa Korea and ‘di po siya naging madali.”
(I think I am up for another different challenge. There was an opportunity for me to audition for a K-pop survival show program and…I passed the audition. We all thought carefully about this, I thought well about it too. And of course, there is a lot to do given that there are many opportunities to do in Korea and it was not easy.)
JL then expressed his gratitude to all the people who have helped him along the way in reaching his dreams. He also got emotional, saying he knows that he will feel the support of everyone even from a distance.
“Even if ‘di tayo physically magkakasama, alam ko na susuportahan niyo pa rin ako,” JL said.
(Even if we are not physically together, I know that you will still support me.)
During the announcement of his departure, JL was later joined by other PLUUS members on stage and showed their support.
@thisisglxy @PLUUS will continue their activities as a four-member group while JL pursues a new challenge in Korea. #PLUUS #AlwaysPLUUS #PLUUSinMOTION ♬ original sound – GLXY Entertainment
The rest of PLUUS’ members later took to Instagram to say that although they will miss JL, they want everyone to show their full support for him.
In the opening episodes of Universe League, JL also extensively talked about pursuing his K-pop dreams.
“From a small stage back home in the Philippines with dreams bigger than ever, I made my way to Korea, the heart of K-pop,” JL said. “Standing on that glittering stage, imagining it makes my heart race. This is my destiny, and I’m going to shine.”
A remarkable performance
During his in-person audition in the Philippines, JL performed Crush’s “Beautiful,” the iconic OST from the K-drama Goblin.
In the show’s introduction episode for JL, the Filipino and his group performed “One and Only,” where JL’s vocals and stage presence shone, leaving a lasting impression on the mentors and audience.
His talent led all three teams — Team Beat, Team Rhythm, and Team Groove — to pick him as their first choice, a first in the show’s history.
Yugyeom, mentor for Team Beat, praised JL’s vocal strength and ability to sing in falsetto while dancing.
Team Rhythm’s Kun admired the Filipino’s ability to command attention. “When you were performing, you were flirting. That stood out immediately,” Kun commented.
Ten, another mentor from Team Rhythm, shared JL’s enthusiasm, promising to teach him Korean and make him feel at home.
“Your weapon is your vocals. Come to the team that will help you use your weapon wisely,” Lee Changsub, director of Team Groove shared.
In the end, JL chose Team Rhythm, citing Ten as his longtime inspiration.
JL’s participation in Universe League marks another milestone for Filipino artists breaking into the global K-pop scene. He follows in the footsteps of Filipinas Gehlee Dangca and Elisia Parmisano from Universe Ticket, and Sophia Laforteza from Dream Academy.
If JL makes it all the way, he’ll also be the second Filipino singer to win an international reality show in two months after Sofronio Vasquez, the pride of Northern Mindanao, topped The Voice USA last December, becoming its first Asian winner. – Rappler.com