Why Paul ‘Pooh’ Lunt Says the Philippines Is Ready to Eclipse K-Pop on the Global Stage

For decades, K-pop has stood as Asia’s dominant cultural export, reshaping global music charts and commanding fandoms from Seoul to São Paulo. Yet, according to Paul “Pooh” Lunt—chef-turned-entrepreneur-turned-music-mogul—the next seismic wave won’t come from Korea. It will rise from the Philippines.

Lunt, founder and CEO of Popolo Music Group (PMG), has built a reputation as one of the most unconventional figures in the music industry. Before launching his label, he made his fortune in hospitality and real estate and even worked as a ghostwriter and performer in Hawaii and Los Angeles. Today, with offices in Manila, Seoul, Los Angeles, and Tokyo, PMG is betting on P-Pop (Philippine Pop) to rival—and ultimately eclipse—K-Pop on the world stage.

The Audition Revolution

Central to this bold vision is AuditionKpop.com and PMGaudition.com, PMG’s groundbreaking online audition platforms. Instead of requiring hopefuls to fly to Seoul or queue outside entertainment offices, Lunt has flipped the system by making auditions fully digital. Aspiring idols from anywhere in the world can upload a one- to two-minute performance video and apply directly.

The response has been overwhelming. PMG currently receives an average of 300 submissions per week, from Manila to Madrid to Mexico City. “Talent is everywhere,” Lunt says. “Access is not. We’re fixing that.”

Training the Next Generation

Those who pass the first round are funneled into PMG’s six-month trainee program, with facilities in Manila and Cebu. The program mirrors the intensity of K-Pop’s idol system but with a twist: PMG emphasizes attitude before talent.

“A voice can be trained. Dance moves can be perfected,” Lunt explains. “But resilience, humility, and character—those are what create stars who last.”

Trainees receive coaching in vocals, dance, performance, media handling, and even wellness, with psychologists and life coaches on staff. It’s a system designed not only to build world-class artists but also to avoid the burnout and tragedies that have shadowed parts of the Korean industry.

Building a Global Stage

While PMG’s roster remains tightly under wraps, its live division, Popolo Live, is already active—co-promoting concerts across Europe and the U.S. to lay the groundwork for international touring circuits. The label is expected to release its first records in summer 2026, with 2027 projected as a breakout year filled with new releases and world tours.

Lunt has also pursued collaborations with heavyweights, including Sarah Geronimo, SB19, and even Colombian superstar Shakira, signaling PMG’s intention to position Filipino acts alongside global icons.

Why the Philippines?

Lunt’s confidence in the Philippines stems from four key factors:

• World-class vocals: “The Philippines has produced some of the best singers alive,” he says.

• Multilingual versatility: Filipino artists can perform in English, Filipino, and Korean, bridging global audiences.

• A storytelling culture: Songs rooted in deep emotion resonate universally.

• The global diaspora: Millions of Filipinos worldwide act as natural ambassadors, carrying P-Pop across continents.

Beyond these strengths, Lunt goes even further, stating that the Philippines overwhelmingly has the most talented individuals in Asia. In his view, Filipinos are better singers, better dancers, and better entertainers than Koreans. What separates the two, he argues, is not ability but infrastructure. “Koreans have more dedication and better equipment,” he says. That insight drives PMG’s strategy: instilling attitude, mindset, and motivation into every trainee. “Talent is already here,” Lunt explains. “We just need to match it with the discipline and the resources to let it shine.”

“When you put those pieces together,” he insists, “you don’t just have a movement. You have a revolution.”

The Mogul’s Mindset

Those who know Lunt describe him as obsessively private yet remarkably generous—humble with collaborators, kind even to strangers, but fiercely strategic in business. His past life as a chef and real estate developer means he brings an outsider’s mindset into an industry that often resists change.

“Music is like cooking,” he reflects. “It’s about the right ingredients, timing, and passion. If you get it right, you move people. That’s what P-Pop is about to do.”

The Coming Wave

Lunt acknowledges that K-pop’s legacy is monumental but believes its dominance is no longer unshakable. “K-Pop opened the door,” he says. “Now it’s time for the Philippines to walk through and lead.”

With global auditions streaming in, training centers preparing the first generation of PMG idols, and international collaborations already in motion, the stage is set. Whether the world is ready or not, Paul “Pooh” Lunt is certain the Philippines is about to deliver the next great global pop phenomenon.

“Remember this moment,” he says with quiet confidence. “Because in a few years, everyone will be talking about P-Pop.”