EXO’s main vocalist, Chen, finally brought his “Beyond the Door” solo tour to Manila on November 23rd, and it was epic! This marked his first solo concert in the Philippines, and Filipino EXO-Ls were absolutely blown away.
The New Frontier Theater was transformed into a sea of white and yellow, with fans proudly displaying dandelion lights and door-shaped banners. The banner shares the heartwarming message: “You fill our days with brightness, our sunshine Jongdae!” – a testament to the deep affection fans hold for Chen. These banners also detailed the day’s fan projects, meticulously planned to shower Chen with love and support.
Kicking off the night with “Empty” and “Dandelion,” Chen immediately captivated the audience with his powerful vocals and captivating stage presence.
“It’s been a long time, right? I really have to say this before we begin anything. You guys are the same since before the last time we met. Passionate, powerful, beautiful and cute,” he expressed, acknowledging the unwavering energy and enthusiasm of the Filipino EXO-Ls. Chen continued to mesmerize the crowd with his signature honeyed vocals, performing hits like “Remember” and “I Don’t Even Mind.”
“Beyond the Door” also featured a hilarious segment titled “CHEN-LLENGE,” where Chen had to guess the title of a song based solely on the lyrics displayed on screen. The twist? Incorrect guesses resulted in the singer donning a surprise costume from a mystery box. As expected, the fans eagerly rooted for him to fail, adding an extra layer of excitement to the game.
The “CHEN-LLENGE” segment proved to be a hilarious highlight. The usually reserved Chen wore a series of quirky costumes, including fairy wings, a Cardcaptor Sakura outfit, French fries, an Emperor’s robe a Harry Potter robe and even a squirrel costume.
Despite the playful chaos, the segment provided a special opportunity for Chen to showcase his versatility, singing snippets of songs he failed to guess, including EXO’s “Love Me Right,” “Playboy,” and “Artificial Love”; Baekhyun’s “Amusement Park” and “Pineapple Slice”; Xiumin’s “You Are the One” and “Reminisce”; and EXO-CBX’s “Rhythm After Summer.”
Still sporting his squirrel costume, Chen transitioned seamlessly into a groovy set, performing “Playlist,” “Fall In Love Again,” and “Hold You Again.” Following a captivating VCR, Chen returned to the stage to deliver heart-wrenching renditions of “Beautiful Goodbye” and “Love You.” He continued to enchant the audience with “Don’t Remember,” “Shall We?,” and “Starlight,” as fans waved their dandelion lights, transforming the theater into a magical starry night sky.
Perhaps the most unforgettable moment of the night was the encore performance of “Everytime,” Chen’s iconic song from the Hallyu drama “Descendants of the Sun” — which everyone knows. As the melodious voices of the EXO-Ls filled the hall, the harmonious singing was so captivating that Chen jokingly expressed his own jealousy, remarking, “Manila fans are enjoying and having so much fun even without me onstage!”
This playful comment provided the perfect segue for him to join the sing-along, leading the audience in a heartfelt rendition of “Everytime”– now with Chen. The night culminated with a heartwarming performance of “Best Luck,”
“I call you stars, Aerideul, EXO-Ls. I call you different names and that just shows I really care for you, guys,” Chen expressed, emphasizing the special bond he shares with his fans.
He also shared an experience on his way to Manila. He shared that the plane was flying within the darkness of the night and that he couldn’t really couldn’t sleep so he opened the window and there were countless stars in front of him. Seeing that scenery, it reminded him of his fans. He ended the night thanking everyone and hopes that his fans would be likr stars that would be shining brightly all the way.
Chen’s Beyond the Door fancon in Manila is presented by Wilbros Live, As well, Chen’s “Beyond the Door” tour, which previously made stops in Taipei, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur, concluded on a truly unforgettable note in Manila, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of Filipino EXO-Ls.
Photos: Wilbros Live
#CHEN #첸 #Beyond_the_DOOR_in_MANILA
