With K Pop taking over the world, it's easy to forget that Korea isn't the only Asian nation churning out amazing music. We all worship at the feet of Ami Suzuki (who continues to fly the flag for Japan) and adore Hong Hong's hottest diva La Chiquitta but the Philippines is often overlooked. The home of Charice has its own burgeoning pop scene and from the tracks I've heard - P Pop is utterly defining! The genre has come under fire from rabid K Pop fans, who think it steals from their faves but those bitches need to chill the fuck out. P Pop is just finding its feet. Of course, they are going to look to their fabulous neighbours for inspiration - the same way that Australian and British pop acts look to America for guidance. Why can't we all just eat Kimchi and get along? If you put your preconceptions aside, you might just like what you hear. Take the Pop Girls. These five beauties are the current queens of P Pop and I'm more than a little obsessed. While Korean girlbands fight against their inherent cuteness and desperately try to be edgy, the Pop Girls embrace their inner campness and sound like a cross between S Club 7 and Steps. From what I can tell without being able to read Tagalog, the Philippines' favourite band first came to fame with "Crazy Crazy", an upbeat dance anthem, before re-emerging with new members and a pure pop sound. I love their new direction. "Sige Sige Sayaw" is such a catchy song. Sure the video looks like it was filmed at Timezone in 15 minutes before the after school rush but they look adorable and I stan for their cheap choreography. Bring on their next pan-Asian smash!
