Mickey Perz On The BINI Buzz: How BINI Keeps Slaying

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It's been five months since the Pantropiko craze took over the hearts of millions of fans. In February 2024, eight-member girl group BINI broke into complete stardom and had everyone dancing along to the summer It Song. They topped charts and made waves online, amassing millions of streams and international recognition.

However, along with their stardom came some issues that concerned the girls' safety and privacy. Despite this, they remained the same optimistic and outgoing idols to their fans. Believe us when we say that they still had the most wholesome and unhinged moments with fans whom we call Blooms.

With how fast BINI skyrocketed in popularity, most would agree that they are "on another level" already. In the currently successful state of their career, one might wonder how the girls sustain their momentum, with good personalities and strong connections with their fans. The key to it all: a well-built and effective training period, and perspective as the "Nation's Girl Group."

BINI on creating their public persona

BINI is making a name for themselves, not just through their fiery performances, but most especially because of their charming attitude towards their fans. In an interview with Spot.ph, BINI's Performance Director Mickey Perz shed light on how the girls continue to shine, even by just staying true to themselves.

Mickey told Spot.ph, "I think we let the girls be how they are as much as possible kaya they are relatable." The performance director noted that there is a significant and conscious effort not to "limit" the girls' personalities. Being laidback, carefree, and basically, just themselves no matter where they are has been a staple for the girl group.

"Hindi sila yungparang product na we try to contain, ‘Oh you always have to be proper,’ or ‘You have to do this.’ So you see a lot of moments when they are just being girls having fun, kalog moments where they are laughing, where they can be kenkoy because that’s them," Direk Mickey stated.

Therefore, we can say that BINI has established the celebrity persona of being genuinely close to their fans—as if they are always within reach. Case in point: when they respond to fans via their X accounts (formerly Twitter). They find the time to go online on social media and interact with them, whether through serious replies or even just silly moments with Blooms (the fandom name). Moreover, they also use their social media accounts to air important sentiments for Blooms to further understand and connect with them.

ALSO READ: BINI Aiah Arceta On The Importance Of Respect And Privacy

Although they are a group, Direk Mickey also discussed how they give the members the chance to have their personal moments, even as an individual. No, this isn't about doing solo activities (just yet); rather, it's more about how BINI's core team allows them to explore their talents and ideas while incorporating them into the group's songs and projects.

He explained in the interview, "The dance steps to the chorus of "Pantropiko," for example, was famously choreographed by Sheena, while Colet wrote the song "8." We always challenge them to develop their artistry. We ask them, ‘O, what do you feel like doing here?' ‘How would you want to execute the steps?’ Minsan we say, ‘Ah, maganda yung ginagawa ni Sheena, or ni Mikha, or ni Maloi,’ and then (we fine tune). We give them the opportunity to show their ideas and after that, it’s their charm that makes their performances come alive."

BINI and the basics of their journey as P-pop idols

The competition has always been tough for celebrities, and of course, for P-pop idols. The P-pop industry has been thriving for a while now, and BINI cementing their place as the Nation's Girl Group is something that shaped the country's music industry this year.

They had back-to-back-to-back bops that made it to international music charts. Aside from "Pantropiko," there was also "Salamin, Salamin." Their latest release called "Cherry on Top" also gained attention from fans all over the world.

But before they received local and global recognition as a girl group, they underwent rigorous and intensive training—not as singers or dancers, but more like athletes, according to Direk Mickey.

"In the beginning, we didn’t just want to train them as singers and dancers muna. We trained them as athletes because singing and dancing at the same time requires a completely different kind of stamina," he shared with Spot.ph.So if you've seen BINI's viral "Lagi"dance and vocal practice that showcases their ~*stable*~ vocals and on-point choreography, it's all thanks to their training and talent!

It wasn't a smooth process of transitioning individual personalities into one team. It was all made possible because of the girls' determination and passion to become something greater as time passed by. Direk Mickey recalled the times when he had to remind the girls to focus and to approach everything they did during training professionally.

"Despite [their] differences, when they're all inside the training room, they are all equally BINI and they're there to work. Direk Mickey also recalled telling the girls, "It might sound a bit harsh but when you go to training, your problem should not be my problem. Your time is not more valuable than mine. If gusto niyo sumigaworumiyak (after) let’s do that. If we must huddle afterward, then let’s do it."

Btw if you're curious about the "Lagi" dance and vocal practice, watch it here:

BINI is here for the long haul

BINI has had record-breaking milestones within their group and within the P-pop industry. They've got back-to-back recognition locally and even internationally. ICYMI, BINI was recognized at the recently held Billboard Korea Power 100. They attended the ceremony on August 27th, along with fellow P-pop group SB19, and other iconic K-pop groups like EXO-CBX.

Their success isn't just for them. As always, they have the goal of connecting well with their fans. It's engraved in BINI's DNA. Hailing from one of their yearly mantras, Direk Mickey revealed that BINI has always put prime into excellence and humility.

"Excellence is not a choice, it is acquired every day." In 2022, it was "Stay humble but be the best among the rest." In 2023, it was "Eye on the prize and just focus on the challenge." And this year, it is "BINIhood," with BINI taking the place of the word ‘woman’. 'They’re in a state of becoming a woman (while at the same time) they are also growing bigger as a group," Direk Mickey explained to Spot.ph.

He added, "I strongly believe that this is the year when they have a voice and that voice is for this generation and the next."

BINI had its ups and downs throughout their career as a girl group. Direk Mickey noted that the BINI of now isn't the same BINI of years ago. But everyone believed in Jhoanna, Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha,and Sheena's great potential and passion for success. Now, they've done it—and have even gone beyond everyone's expectations.

At this point, we can't help but look back on BINI's first exclusive interview with Cosmopolitan Philippines in March 2023. It was a few days before the release of their first EP, Talaarawan. It was Aiah's answer that left us with the impression that BINI is here to stay for the long haul. And it was BINI's clear and strong outlook as P-pop idols that had us rooting for them in the first place.

Quoting Aiah, "We don't aim for perfection, but for excellence and growth." Now that is how BINI gracefully keeps their hard-earned spot in the vast music industry.