A Mogul with an Unlikely Beginning

Luntrsquos journey into the music world is as unconventional as it is inspiring Born and raised in Honolulu Hawaii he trained as a chef before finding success in the demanding world of airline catering His ventures in hospitality eventually expanded into real estate with projects spanning Asia the Middle East and the USBut beneath the business acumen was always an artist In his youth Lunt performed in local groups in Hawaii and Los Angeles and worked as a ghostwriter penning lyrics and melodies for others That background gave him a deep empathy for artistsmdashhe understood both the grind and the vulnerability of chasing a creative dreamldquoMusic has always been in my bloodrdquo he reflects ldquoI knew if I ever built a label it wouldnrsquot just be about selling records It would be about giving people the opportunities I wished I hadrdquoThe Birth of AuditionKpopcomWhen Lunt founded Popolo Music Group in the early 2020s he knew one of the biggest obstacles in the idol system was accessibility Traditional auditions favored those who could afford flights hotels and months of waiting Talented singers in Manila dancers in Lagos or rappers in Satildeo Paulo were often shut out before they could even step into a roomAuditionKpopcom was the solution The site allows anyone anywhere to submit a 1ndash2minute performance video two recent photos and a short personal introduction Submissions can be uploaded directly or emailed to Demospopolomusicasia Within days hopefuls can have their material reviewed by PMGrsquos AampR teammdashsomething that would have been unimaginable just a few years agoldquoWhat we built wasnrsquot just a websiterdquo Lunt explains ldquoIt was a bridge between talent and opportunityrdquoA Digital Gold RushThe response was immediate and overwhelming Within months of its launch AuditionKpopcom began receiving hundreds of submissions weekly Today the platform averages 300 auditions every week spanning continents and languages Videos pour in from Manila New York Madrid Nairobi and Seoul creating what industry insiders have dubbed a ldquodigital gold rushrdquo of aspiring idolsThe influx has made AuditionKpopcom the largest online audition platform in the world surpassing the systems of older more established labels It has alsoenabled PMG to scout talent from communities that werepreviously overlooked ldquoWersquore seeing kids from rural towns in the Philippines audition right alongside hopefuls in London and Los Angelesrdquo says one PMG AampR executive ldquoItrsquos leveling the playing fieldrdquoAttitude Before TalentWhat sets AuditionKpopcom apart isnrsquot just its accessibilitymdashitrsquos the philosophy driving it Lunt insists that attitude comes before talentldquoAnyone can learn to sing or dance with practicerdquo he says ldquoBut humility discipline and resiliencemdashthose are nonnegotiablerdquoThis philosophy guides PMGrsquos sixmonth trainee program based in Manila and Cebu Beyond vocal and dance coaching trainees receive mentorship in songwriting branding wellness and financial literacy Psychologists and life coaches are also part of the program ensuring that young artists are supported holisticallyThe emphasis on mindset is a direct response to the welldocumented burnout and pressure in the Kpop system ldquoWe donrsquot just want starsmdashwe want sustainable careersrdquo Lunt explainsPopolo Live Building the Stage Before the StarsWhile AuditionKpopcom identifies talent PMGrsquos live arm Popolo Live ensures theyrsquoll have a global stage waiting The company has already copromoted concerts across Europe North America and Asia establishing touring circuits that will host PMGrsquos future actsBy the time PMG debuts its first artists in summer 2026 followed by global tours in 2027 Popolo Live will have laid the infrastructure for Filipino stars to perform at venues from Manila to Madison Square GardenCollaborations and Cultural BridgesPMG has also begunto align its rising artists with established names strategically From PPop icons like Sarah Geronimo and SB19 to international legends like Shakira the label is signaling its intent to bridge Filipino talent with global audiencesldquoMusic is universalrdquo Lunt says ldquoBy pairing fresh voices with global stars we accelerate visibility and show that Filipino artists belong on the same stagerdquoWhy It MattersAuditionKpopcom is more than just a platformmdashitrsquos a cultural shift For the first time aspiring idols donrsquot need money visas or connections to be heard All they need is a phone an internet connection and the courage to hit recordFor Lunt this accessibility is the accomplishment hersquos most proud of ldquoThe Philippines has always had the talentrdquo he says ldquoNow wersquove given them a megaphone And the world is listeningrdquoThe Road AheadWith its online audition platform now the 1 in the world training centers preparing the first generation of pop idols and Popolo Live securing international stages PMG is poised for a breakout moment The labelrsquos first records are slated for release in 2026 marking the start of what Lunt calls ldquoa cultural revolutionrdquoldquoKPop opened the doorrdquo he says ldquoNow itrsquos time for the Philippines to walk throughmdashand leadrdquoWhether the world is ready or not Paul ldquoPoohrdquo Luntrsquos accomplishment with AuditionKpopcom has already reshaped the industry For thousands of hopefuls every month it has turned the dream of becoming a global idol from an expensive gamble into a reachable reality And for Lunt itrsquos just the beginning