BE:FIRST Reflect On Five Years Together And Collaborating With SB19

Five years isn’t a long time in pop — until one day it just is. In the case of BE:FIRST, it’s been enough to go from a group still figuring out its identity to one that moves with a quiet, unmistakable confidence. Although they’ve never been the loudest in the room, but they’ve always been deliberate — about their sound, their influences, and what it means to exist at the intersection of hip-hop, R&B, and J-pop as Japanese artists. That sense of purpose runs straight through their new single, “BE:FIRST ALL DAY,” a track that feels less like a retrospective and more like a statement of intent.

From the first listen, “BE:FIRST ALL DAY” doesn’t try too hard to announce itself. It settles into a groove, one that’s low-end heavy, rhythm-forward, the kind of beat that sneaks up on you and then refuses to let go. It’s a sound that feels instinctively them, acting as a reflection of five years spent refining not just how they perform, but who they are. There’s a confidence in that restraint, in letting the music speak without overcomplicating the message.

Because if the first chapter of BE:FIRST was about discovery, this next one feels more like a true definition of who they are. The edges are sharper now, the vision clearer. And instead of looking back to celebrate how far they’ve come, “BE:FIRST ALL DAY” leans forward — grounded in everything they’ve built, but fully locked in on what comes next.

Ahead of their first time visiting the Philippines, the beloved J-pop boy group opens up to Billboard Philippines all about celebrating the first five years of their career with the new single, and their experiences of what it was like working with SB19 on “Toyfriend.”

Billboard Philippines: “BE:FIRST ALL DAY” celebrates your fifth anniversary. What emotions or memories did you want this song to capture about your journey as a group?

RYUHEI: The track is built around a strong low-end structure, and the texture of the drums really makes you want to move, which I felt matched BE:FIRST’s style while still feeling fresh. We didn’t make many major changes, but one key decision we discussed was whether to include “BE:FIRST ALL DAY” in the chorus.

Can you walk us through the moment you first heard the demo of “BE:FIRST ALL DAY”? What stood out about the track to each of you immediately?

RYUHEI: When we first heard the demo, we immediately felt that it aligned with the core of who we are as artists. BE:FIRST is a group that creates music rooted in hip- hop and R&B culture, while carrying pride as Japanese artists and paying respect to those influences.

In comparison to that demo, were there any challenges or episodes during the recording of “BE:FIRST ALL DAY” that ended up defining the final version that we now hear today?

SHUNTO: When recording the chorus, we really wanted it to feel groovy and something you could ride to, so we did a lot of takes and fine-tuned it carefully to get the right sound. We experimented with different vocal textures until we hit that sweet spot where the sound feels effortless yet physically moving. That process of trial and error in the booth is really what gave the song its final energy.

Looking back over the past five years, how has your sound evolved, and where does “BE:FIRST ALL DAY” fit within that evolution? What have each of you learned over the five years you’ve shared together as part of BE:FIRST?

SHUNTO: When we started, we were focused on finding our voice and identity, but over these five years, we’ve grown and figured out what makes us, us. This song represents the future of BE:FIRST—it carries our determination and marks a new turning point for us.

Recently, your collaboration with SB19 on “Toyfriend” has excited millions of fans across Asia. How did this partnership come about, and what was your first impression of working with them? What did you learn from SB19 during the creation of “Toyfriend,” and how did that experience influence you as artists?

MANATO: Working with SB19 was such an eye-opening experience for us. They were older than me, but they were really friendly and easy to talk to. We quickly found common ground and became friends right away. I was struck by how down-to-earth they were from the very first meeting and that instant connection made the creative process feel so enjoyable. It felt like hanging out with talented friends who happen to share the same passion for music. We spent a lot of time just talking and laughing, and I think that relaxed energy really translated into the final track.

As it is, it was recently announced that BE:FIRST is set to make a special guest appearance at SB19’s concert, ‘Wakas At Simula.‘ How does it feel to be part of such a major moment for them, and what can fans expect from your performance?

SOTA: I’m truly honored to be part of a live show by SB19, whom I deeply respect both as people and as artists. As for BE:FIRST’s performance, I think fans will be able to feel the energy, the passion that goes beyond language, and the quality of our performance. I hope everyone can just relax, enjoy, and dance with us!

This will also mark your first visit to Manila. What are you most excited to experience, both onstage and off, here in the Philippines?

LEO: Since it will be our first time performing in the Philippines, I’m really excited to see how the audience reacts. I’ve also heard it’s a very big stage, so I’m a bit nervous too! I’m truly grateful to SB19 for this opportunity.

After this milestone release, what direction do you see BE:FIRST heading musically in your upcoming projects? Are there any genres, concepts, or collaborations you’re hoping to explore next that fans might not expect? 

JUNON: Moving forward, I think we’ll become even more creative as artists. We want to keep challenging ourselves with genres that we feel suit us, and through that, reach even more listeners.

Lastly, what else do each of you hope to accomplish over the next five years together as a group?

JUNON: Over the next five years, we hope to grow in a way that allows our music to be heard by even more people around the world.

_{Photographed by Lyndon Kyle Asuncion. Creative Direction by Gelo Quijencio. Produced by Liezel Restauro and Gabriel Saulog. Special thanks to AVEX.}

_{Written by Gabriel Saulog. Billboard Philippines. April 2026.}

Listen to BE:FIRST’s latest single, “BE:FIRST ALL DAY,” below: