Filipino talent strikes the global scene once again, as 14-year-old Elisia Parmisano has officially become the first candidate from the Korean survival show, Universe Ticket, to secure a spot to debut in their upcoming girl group.
The announcement of Parmisano nabbing the first available spot of the group came on the latest episode of the series which aired on January 10, marking a significant milestone in the young talent’s career. Parmisano triumphed over 16 finalists, earning her place in the group’s eight available slots by advancing to the coveted P-level on the show. Her success was further solidified by an impressive fan vote ranking, which accumulated a remarkable total of 553,483.4 points.
As the journey continues for the other finalists, fellow Filipino contestants Gehlee Dangca and Filipino-Korean Jin Hyeon-ju are still in contention for the remaining seven spots in the group.
The diversity of Universe Ticket is evident in its lineup of aspiring K-pop idols, hailing from countries like South Korea, Japan, China, Philippines, Malaysia, Mongolia, Canada, Italy, Australia, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Aside from the richness of cultures from its contestants, the show features an impressive panel of coaches –– including K-pop solo artists Adora and Younha, singer-actress Kim Se-jeong, Girls’ Generation’s Hyoyeon and Lachica’s Rian, and celebrity mentors such as ITZY’s Yeji and Chaeryeong.
Parmisano’s incredible accomplishment follows the similar success of fellow Filipina Sophia Laforteza, who earned a spot on HYBE and Geffen Records’ new girl group, KATSEYE. Laforteza ranked number one out of twenty candidates selected for the online series The Debut: Dream Academy and was selected as one out of more than 120,000 video submissions from around the world.
The highly anticipated finale of Universe Ticket is currently set to air on January 17 and will determine the complete lineup of the team who will embark on a two-and-a-half-year journey as part of her contract. As Elisia Parmisano leads the charge of the group, fans eagerly await the culmination of this exciting chapter in the bridge between the worlds of K-pop and the Philippines.