Rising P-Pop phenomenon 1ST.ONE has finally released their Christmas song "Hold On," accompanied by a heartwarming music video, October 31.
The Yuletide treats come early for FOR.ONES, the group's official fanbase. As an R&B track fused with the seasonal tunes, "Hold On" showcases the boys' varying yet complementing vocals. 1ST.ONE leader and main vocalist, ACE, was in charge of composing the track.
When asked about the inspiration behind the catchy track, ACE explains: "Everyone is having a hard time due to the Pandemic right now, so I wanted to give a feeling of warmth and strength thru the preciousness of my family while the listeners listen to the song and it is also a tribute song for our fan club, FOR ONE."
A "Special Tribute" for Fans
In the caption for the official "Hold On" music video, 1ST.ONE writes: "For all the love and support you have given us, ForOne, we have finally found a way to give back," calling the Christmas gift "a special tribute" for their fans.
With ACE's specifically relatable lyrics, the track still manages to retain that distinct K-Pop vibes both in the melody and in the visuals. Shin Min Chul, leader, vocalist, and one of the original members of Korean pop group T-MAX - best known for their soundtracks on "Detectives in Trouble," "Master of Study," and most notably, the Korean adaptation of "Boys Over Flowers" - served as the main producer behind "Hold On."
"I want to show that 1st.one is not just a powerful dance group but also a multi-talented group who can sing and write their music," Shin said in a statement. Explaining the collaborative effort between the six-piece group, the T-MAX member noted: "Each member is a true artist. ACE had all the ideas and inputs from all the members. The rappers wrote their rap verses as well, and each member had inputs in producing the final lyrics to the song."
"We hope as well that when people listen to the song, they get a sense of hope, warmth, family, and love this Christmas," Shin Min Chul concluded.
Surprisingly, at the end of the music video is a montage of wartime images from the 30s and 40s to a rising beat, with the word "SOON" plastered in the center of the screen - teasing what might be the group's next track.
1ST.ONE
"Hold On" marks the P-Pop group's second single. It follows the group's debut single, "You Are The One (Ttak Maja Nuh)," which signalled 1ST.ONE's high-octane entry into the music industry. With its music video released back in July, their debut single soared to the Top Spot of the MYX Pinoy Hit Charts and peaked at the second spot in the MYX Daily Top 10, following the global K-Pop icons BTS.
The six-piece group - composed of members ACE, Max, Alpha, Joker, J, Jason, and special member Gift - traces its origins as the first place winners of the Dance Category Philippine-Korea Cultural Exchange Festival back in 2018. Before their official debut, 1ST.ONE released a pre-debut single, "One Dream," on April 3, 2020.
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1ST.ONE is currently signed under FirstOne Entertainment, a talent management company led by Lee Sang-min and is based in Seoul, South Korea.
Watch the official music video for "Hold On" below. Also, stay updated on 1ST.ONE through their official channels - Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram.
