Filipino VIPs *really like 2 party* and we witnessed it all during Taeyang’s The Light Year concert presented by Karpos last February 22 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena! As fans ourselves, we can’t help but dance (and jump) to the K-pop artist’s upbeat tracks and sing along to his soulful ballads. Truly, Taeyang is a superstar onstage and he has that vibe that nobody can match.
We definitely had a lot of fun during his concert in Manila, so here are the most memorable moments we can’t stop thinking about:
1. When Taeyang entered the stage.
True to the title of his concert, Taeyang took us all on a journey to see the light which started with a pitch black backdrop that slowly lighted up. ICYDK, Taeyang’s stage name translates to the word “sun” in Korean and the intro exactly felt like seeing the sun after a long night.
2. When we heard “Eyes, Nose, Lips” live.
Whether you’re an OG K-pop fan or a newbie to the genre, you have definitely heard of Taeyang’s mega hit song that is based on his personal story. Prior to the main performance, Taeyang did an acapella version of “Eyes, Nose, Lips” much to the delight of his fans. Of course, Filipino VIPs memorize it by heart including the popular line “Mianhae, mianhae hajima” complete to the ad libs! The artist also sang his other famous singles such as “Wedding Dress,” “I’ll Be There,” and “Ringa Linga” to name a few.
3. When he did a cover of TJ Monterde’s “Palagi.”
Taeyang surprised everyone with his rendition of the popular OPM song “Palagi” by TJ Monterde and each Filipino word was flawlessly sung! After serenading fans with the chorus, filo VIPs chanted “Isa pa!” and he happily repeated the performance.
4. When Taeyang told the backstory of “Yeorobun~.”
Remember the legendary “Yeorobun~”? While Taeyang was emotional during his ment, the unserious Filipino VIPs shouted the iconic word which he didn’t expect! He also shared that the viral video wasn’t supposed to be a trend and it was an “accident” and a “random creation.” Taeyang eventually sang a Filipino version of “Yeorobun, neomu bogosippeoseo” (which means “Everyone, I’ve really missed you).
5. When he performed BIGBANG’s chart-topping songs.
It felt like we’re back in high school, watching the music videos on Myx’s Daily Top 10 and burning the songs on a CD simply because we can’t get enough. Taeyang started his BIGBANG medley with the sentimental tracks “Blue,” “IF YOU,” and “Loser” and if you’re going to ask us, we were tearing up while singing along.
He then started the party with two words that hyped the crowd: “Yeogi buteora.” By then, we were all screaming our lungs out! Taeyang performed “Fantastic Baby” and “BANG BANG BANG” which where nothing short of fantastic.
The Light Year in Manila marks the last leg of Taeyang’s tour and he’s thankful to his fans for making it unforgettable. “Tonight will be forever in my heart. Thank you, Manila, for an amazing night. I hope it was special for you, too,” he said.
Photos: Ber Garcia and KARPOS
