By Aceelaine Duron
K-pop star Baekhyun of EXO extends heartfelt appreciation to Filipino fans for their unwavering support, teasing a possible return to the country after his successful ‘Lonsdaleite’ Asia tour concert as a solo artist under his label INB100 held at Smart Araneta Coliseum last April 13.
“It’s actually been almost a year since I last met you guys, and I’m super, super happy. Maraming salamat po for not forgetting me during that time. Salamat po!” he said in Korean.
“May another chance to see you guys again. Please look forward to it because I’ll be seeing you guys again and again,” Baekyun promised, once again to Filipino fans also known as EXO-Ls or Eris.
As he dropped clues for a chance of meeting EXO-Ls again for a local fashion brand, anticipation soars among fans for another up close and unforgettable encounter with their idol.
“Actually, nakakalungkot na it’s [just] one day na concert. I know that I’ll go back next time here in the Philippines, so I really want to do it in two days,” the K-pop star said in Korean.
As requested by Baekhyun, EXO-Ls flaunt their white outfit and cute lettuce hairpins together with their “Eribong” — EXO lightstick and banners.
For his opening act, the K-pop idol surprised his fans as he appeared on stage in his all-white robe and performed one of EXO’s hit songs “Diamond” followed by “Playboy,” his song “Stay Up,’ and “Ice Queen.”
“Kumusta kayo? Ako si Baekhyun! Na-miss ko kayo!” he said, welcoming Filipino fans with some Tagalog words.
“‘Diba sobrang maganda na you guys heard EXO songs after such [a] long time? Saka I tried the rap part as well. Parang ang sayang mag-rap. Mag-rap nalang [kaya] ako?” he said in Korean.
Baekhyun also recalled his promise of coming back to Manila following his K-pop Overpass Music Concert last May 2023, “Last year, I was here diba? Tapos nag-promise ako na I will come back. Maraming salamat sa lahat ng naghintay.”
He also performed some of his hit songs “UN Village,” “Love Scene,” “Bungee,” and “Love Again,” as he shared that he usually performs this segment wearing a jacket but decided to wear a shirt this time, “sobrang passionate [kasi] at mainit ang vibe ng Philippine Eri.”
“Ang susunod na kanta, baka ma-expect natin ang inggit ng mga Philippine Eri. Can [I] make you feel more inggit? It’s okay? Really?” he asked first as he proceeded to his next song.
“Inggit” [envy], as he said, among EXO-Ls indeed filled The Big Dome when he performed “Cry For Love.”
Baekhyun further flaunts his vocals as he performed the songs “Ghost,” ‘Underwater,” and “Bambi” in his all-black fierce outfit.
For his cute set of songs, Baekhyun shared that his makeup and styling team always prepares for his “Poppin’,” “R U Ridin’,” “Betcha,” and “Candy,” outfit passionately, knowing that Filo Eris looks forward to it.
He then performed “Paranoia” on stage because of the passion, support, and all-out energy of Filo Eris, as he said.
Before the encore, EXO-L’s felt nostalgic for a moment and couldn’t help but get emotional as they sang their heart out for Baekhyun’s “Beautiful” — the South Korean drama series, EXO Next Door’s OST.
“Did you have fun? Ang lakas ng boses niyo kaya lumabas ako. Parang you were singing the song, tapos parang tumulala kayo?” said Baekhyun, as he teases EXO-Ls for singing only the “oh yeah, oh right!” english lyrics of the song out loud.
“Like ‘tturutturururuttu…oh yeah, oh right!’ I was actually listening to you guys,” he jokingly said.
A night-to-remember concert will never be complete without Filipino fans shouting the “walang uuwi, walang uuwi” chant before the encore segment.
“Since you guys like it so much, I really don’t wanna go as well. Pero syempre dapat ipakita ko sa inyo ‘yung buong EXO with other members diba? Promise, babalik ako, I promise,” he said, making a pinky swear with fans.
Baekhyun performed “Privacy,” “Garden In The Air,” and “Amusement Park,” for his set of encore songs, as he waved goodbye to EXO-Ls.
“Siguraduhin ko na I will show a lot of love to all Eris, together with other EXO members. I also want to say sorry for making you guys wait for such a long time. Pero moving forward, I will try my best to come even more and to meet you guys often,” he promised to fans.
“Thank you so much for joining our moment tonight here that is full of dreams and love,” he added.
EXO-Ls also expressed their love for their “most precious light” Baekhyun through a surprise fan project video and message, “We [may be ] in different places, but you will always be cherished by us! Mahal ka ng Phixos, Baekhyunee!! Araw-araw, palagi! Sa’yo lang uuwi!”
As his first solo concert ended, he suggested Filipino EXO-Ls to do EXO’s chant with him, “We are one! EXO, saranghaja! [let’s love!]”
“Thank you, thank you po! I’ll see you next time! I promise!” he said cutely, leaving a ‘flying kiss’ for Filipino fans.
“It’s very fun kasi for the first time, nakita namin si Baekhyun as a solo performer. Nakaka-proud na makita siya na nagpe-perperform, sobrang napasaya niya kaming mga EXO-L,” Brendel, 27, said in an interview with News5.
Meanwhile, Dhes, 17, fulfilled her promise of attending ‘Lonsdaleite’ this time after failing to attend K-pop Overpass Music Concert last May, “Bumalik ka pa dito, sige lang!”
Angelica, 27, also an EXO-L felt surreal after seeing his ultimate bias, Baekhyun in person, “Alam kong nagbibigay ka na ng hint sa mga fanmeets, fancon mo. Sana sa pagbalik mo nakapag-ipon na kami. See you soon! We are one, EXO saranghaja!”
The ‘Lonsdaleite’ Asia tour concert was presented by Wilbros Live.
(With interviews from Lace Anne Ebuna, News5 Digital)
