Photo Courtesy of Pastel Mix
We’re delighted to welcome Pastel Mix, a dynamic J-Pop inspired group hailing from Davao City, for this exclusive interview. We’ll be delving into their remarkable journey, from their beginnings as ‘Nyan Nyan’ to their current nationwide success, exploring their musical influences, their memorable performances.
Thea, Cherry, Azu, Yui, and Kanon, can you each tell us a little about your journey with Pastel Mix? When did you join, and what inspired you to become a part of the group?
( Thea ) I joined Pastel Mix back in 2011. I was scouted by one of the AMBOX heads while I was cosplaying at one of their events. What really drew me in was my love for dancing and Pastel Mix did a lot of dancing, especially on stage, which really piqued my interest. At that time, I didn’t know much about idols, but since I was determined to join, I dove headfirst into learning everything I could. I binged idol music videos, live performances, and even variety shows like there was no tomorrow. Before I knew it, Pastel Mix and idols had completely taken over my interest.
( Cherry ) – I joined Pastel Mix in 2012. Honestly, I had no idea at the time that they were a serious idol group. Since I didn’t have much knowledge back then, I thought they were just a dance group. But when they explained how the group really works, I began to understand and appreciate what it meant to be part of an idol group. That realization motivated me to become a true member and to learn more about idol culture.
( Kanon ) – I joined Pastel Mix in the year 2018. I practically had no idea such a group existed in Davao until someone introduced them to me. I figured I could at least try and audition and it surprisingly led me to become a member until now. I was a trainee for a year, and throughout that training inspired me to stand on the same stage as everyone and give the best performance we could to make everything smile.
( Yui ) I think I joined Pastel Mix after COVID. I didn’t really know the group’s history or anything, I just joined because I thought I’d get to wear a cute idol costume. But honestly, it’s also partly because of my passion. I watch J-idols too, so I was actually looking for an audition to join. Most of what I found were just dance troupes, until I discovered Pastel Mix.
( Azu ) – I joined Pastel Mix around September of last year and had my first performance with them in December. At first, I joined just for fun after seeing they were recruiting new members. But the longer I stayed with the group, the more I came to understand what Pastel Mix is all about. I realized that this is something I truly want to continue, especially since it has always been a dream of mine to perform and promote JPOP culture, something I genuinely love because of my passion for JPOP and anime.
Pastel Mix started as “Nyan Nyan” in 2008. How has the group evolved since then, both musically and in terms of its overall performance style?
Pastel Mix has gone through a lot of changes since its early days as “Nyan Nyan” back in 2008. Over the years, not only have the members changed, but the group itself has grown in terms of musicality and performance style. In the beginning, we focused mainly on dance covers, especially of cute, bubbly idol groups like AKB48 and Love Live. Our concept was centered around the classic “schoolgirl idol” image; bright, innocent, and cheerful.
However, as time went on, our manager noticed that many groups were doing similar concepts, and we wanted to stand out. That’s when we started exploring other styles and genres. We tried covering songs from Macross Delta, which had a more sci-fi and mature feel, and even experimented with comedic performances to bring something new and fun to the stage.
A big turning point for us was when we got the chance to perform alongside underground idols. That experience opened our eyes to different kinds of energy and expression in performances. We began covering more rock-oriented songs, something with a bit more edge and soul, which helped us grow creatively.
The biggest evolution so far is our shift from being just a cover group to creating and performing our very own original songs. We’re now moving towards a stronger, bolder musical identity, focusing on rock and metal-inspired concepts.
Your first national event was the Manila Idol Matsuri in 2018. What was that experience like, and how did it impact the group’s trajectory?
Manila Idol Matsuri 2018 was truly a life-changing moment for Pastel Mix. It marked a turning point that showed us we could dream bigger and reach farther than we ever imagined.
It was our very first time performing outside of Mindanao, and honestly, we felt like small fish in a big pond. The other groups were already well-known in the local idol scene, while we were still relatively unknown. We didn’t expect much, maybe a few claps here and there, but that didn’t discourage us. We were used to quiet crowds, and we were there to give our all no matter what. What mattered most was showing our passion, proving that we belonged on that stage, and making the most of the opportunity given to us.
We still remember it so clearly! It was the second half of the event, and we were the openers for that segment. The crowd seemed a little tired, and when we were introduced, there were only a few polite claps. But we went ahead and performed with everything we had. Even if only one or two people cheered, that was enough motivation for us to keep going.
Then something magical happened. As soon as we finished our first song, the atmosphere completely shifted. The crowd suddenly came alive, people were cheering loudly, waving their hands and lightsticks, and even doing Wotagei! It was such an overwhelming moment for us. After years of quietly performing and hoping to be seen, we finally heard the kind of loud, enthusiastic support we had only dreamed of.
That experience gave us so much encouragement and hope. It made us believe that we truly had a place in the idol world and that we were worth supporting.
You’ve performed at a wide range of events, from cosplay summits to cultural festivals. Which event stands out as the most memorable, and why?
The most memorable event for us was definitely Duaw Dabaw. It was our first time performing on such a big stage here in our hometown, Davao. The crowd was huge, and many probably didn’t know who we were or what JPOP is, which made us nervous but also excited to introduce something we truly love. What made it even more special was seeing our fans, “Mixtures”, right at the front, cheering non-stop and giving us the energy and confidence to perform our best.
We also genuinely enjoyed the songs we performed, and sharing that joy with the audience made the experience even more unforgettable. Sharing JPOP culture with a wider audience in our own city was such a meaningful experience, and it reminded us why we chose this path. We had so much fun on that stage, and it’s a moment we’ll always treasure.
What are some of the challenges and rewards of being in a J-pop cover idol group in the Philippines?
One of the biggest challenges of being in a J-pop cover idol group in the Philippines is that J-pop isn’t as widely known or appreciated compared to K-pop or P-pop. Introducing the culture to a local audience can be difficult, especially since not everyone fully understands the style, music, or the idol concept itself. But despite those challenges, there are also meaningful rewards. One of the biggest is being able to express ourselves through something we truly love and bring something new and unique to the stage. It’s incredibly fulfilling to connect with people who appreciate J-pop, no matter how few, and to see our fanbase, Mixtures, slowly grow.
We also grow personally and artistically with every performance, rehearsal, and event. At the end of the day, it’s about doing something meaningful not just for ourselves but for others who share the same passion.
Looking ahead, what are your goals for Pastel Mix in the coming years?
Looking ahead, our goal for Pastel Mix is to continue growing as performers and as a group that proudly represents J-pop culture in the Philippines. We hope to reach more people, especially those who may not yet be familiar with J-pop, and show them how fun, heartfelt, and inspiring it can be.
We aim to perform on bigger stages, collaborate with other artists, and create even more original songs that reflect our identity and passion. Most of all, we want to keep building a strong connection with our fans and create a space where people who love J-pop feel seen, inspired, and part of something truly special.
You’ve been into several events, such as the Mindanao Cosplay Summit and Davao Cyber Expo. Can you share some anecdotes or highlights from your participation in these events?
Being part of events like the Mindanao Cosplay Summit and Davao Cyber Expo has been an unforgettable experience. At the Mindanao Cosplay Summit, we got to interact closely with fans and fellow performers, and it was heartwarming to see the amount of effort everyone put into their costumes and performances. People were cheering, singing along, and some even danced with us from the audience, which really boosted our morale on stage.
The Davao Cyber Expo was full of energy from the gamers who participated in the event and it also boosted our energy and hype to perform onstage. These events not only allowed us to showcase our passion but also built a sense of community with people who share the same love for pop culture and performance.
How has performing in different regions of the Philippines influenced your musical style or interactions with your fans?
Performing in different parts of the Philippines has really helped us grow, both in our music and how we connect with people. Every place has a different vibe, and we’ve learned so much by trying out different genres and performing with all kinds of artists and idols.
Over time, we noticed that rock and soul music always got strong reactions, people really connect with those styles, even if they’re not into J-pop. That made us realize we wanted to explore those genres more, especially rock and even metal. Not only do they draw people in, but they also help us express our emotions more when we’re on stage.
In a way, performing around the country didn’t just influence our style, it helped us discover a part of ourselves we hadn’t fully embraced yet.
What is one thing you want people to know about Pastel Mix that isn’t immediately apparent?
One thing people might not immediately realize about Pastel Mix is that we’re actually introverts, unless we’re together. When we’re with each other, we somehow become more energetic, loud, and a lot more outgoing. We also want people to know that we’re not celebrities, we’re just regular girls who are passionate about J-pop and love sharing that with others. Another thing is that we help AMBOX with event staffing whenever we can. It’s our way of giving back and showing our gratitude, because AMBOX is the reason we’re here today. They’ve supported us from the beginning and continue to help us share our passion for J-pop.
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