The air inside the EVM Convention Center was electric with anticipation, charged with a blend of nervous excitement from both the stage and the crowd. For izna—the rising K-pop girl group with members Mai, Bang Jee-min, Koko, Ryu Sa-rang, Choi Jung-eun, and Jeong Sae-bi—this night marked a major career milestone.
Stepping onto a Philippine stage for the very first time since their late 2024 debut, the rookie group admitted to feeling anxious about how they would be received. However, any lingering doubts instantly evaporated the moment the six members emerged into the spotlight. As the opening notes of their self-titled debut single echoed through the arena, the crowd responded with an overwhelming roar of cheers and deafening shrieks. With that explosive welcome, the Manila leg of izna’s “WHO DAT GIRL?” tour was officially off to an unforgettable start.
Early in the show., Jee-min took a moment to address the energized audience. “Naya, masaya ba kayo?” (Naya, are you happy?) she asked in Tagalog, prompting ecstatic screams from their dedicated fanbase, known as Naya. she then added, “We’re so thrilled to have finally made it here to Manila as part of our first tour!”
A Dynamic Setlist
The group opted for a performance-heavy setlist with some minimal ments which allowed the sextet to maximize their stage time and showcase their sharp synchronization, impressive vocals, and diverse discography. The concert highlighted the group’s remarkable versatility, seamlessly blending fierce concepts with playful, energetic stages:
Songs like “Mamma Mia” and the intense, hard-hitting track “Sass” (originally recorded for the dance survival show World of Street Woman Fighter) allowed izna to unleash their bold, edgy charm. In the headbang-inducing “R.I.P,” the members embraced a powerful persona, singing confidently about breaking free from toxic relationships.
The production incorporated creative staging elements to enhance the narrative of their songs. During “Rock Paper Scissors,” school desks, chairs, and lockers were brought onstage as the members transformed into vibrant, carefree schoolgirls. Later, for the softer, more reflective track “In The Rain,” the group delivered a poignant vocal performance while holding clear umbrellas under soft lighting. The Filipino delicacy ‘suman’ even made it to their “Rock Paper Scissors” performance.
During the bubbly, synth-pop track “Beep,” the members taught the crowd the chorus’s signature dance move—a cute finger-pointing gesture to the head—turning the arena into a synchronized sea of fans. They followed this with the fan-favorite dance-pop track “Sign,” a song capturing the angst of waiting for a crush’s signal. The track transitioned into an extended dance remix where the stage went dark, highlighting each member in turn with a single spotlight for brief, powerful solo dance breaks before blending seamlessly into the hypnotic closing number, “Metronome.”
Adding to the evening’s excitement, the group split into two three-member sub-units to showcase distinct sides of their talent. Mai, Sa-rang, and Sae-bi melted hearts with a sweet, nostalgic cover of Girls’ Generation’s classic hit “Kissing You.” While Jee-min, Koko, and Jung-eun commanded the stage with a sleek, hypnotizing performance of aespa’s fierce track “Illusion.”
Unmatched Fan Service
Beyond their musical numbers, izna made sure to connect deeply with their local audience. During a playful intermission, the members asked fans to teach them local Filipino expressions. The crowd eagerly taught them the phrase, “Yoohoo! Dito ang tingin! which the group chanted in unison before playfully shouting it back to different sections of the arena.
The group also delighted attendees by incorporating viral local dance trends into their routine. Jung-eun earned massive cheers with her adorable rendition of Lyca Gairanod’s viral hit “Puede Nang Mangarap,” while Koko impressed the crowd with her energetic take on the Baby Dolls’ popular trend “Oohh Lala Baby.”
The highlight of their fan interaction occurred during the encore session. The members stepped down to the floor area while performing a lively medley of their tracks. Moving through the aisles, izna interacted up close with attendees—waving, forming hand hearts, and leaning into the crowd to take selfies using fans’ phones.
IWALY (I Will Always Love You)
As the two-hour spectacle drew to a close, the members became visibly emotional while reflecting on their journey to Manila and the overwhelming warmth of their fans.
“It was our first time to be able to have a concert in Manila. We really didn’t expect this many people to come today. That’s why we’re so happy,” Koko shared candidly.
Jee-min echoed those sentiments, admitting that the reality surpassed her grandest expectations. “I never imagined, even in my dreams, that I would get to stand in front of a lot of Manila Nayas,” she confessed. “To be honest, before we went up on stage, we were all very nervous. But I suddenly felt comfortable when I saw all of you guys singing along and enjoying. I was so touched.”
Sae-bi expressed how the audience’s passion recharged the group: “Your great energy and cheers inspire us to work even harder in the future. We really want to come back to Manila again soon.”
Closing out the mentoring segment, Jung-eun shared how the night’s warmth healed the fatigue of their demanding schedules. “For us, seeing you truly enjoy yourselves while we perform onstage is what matters most. Today is honestly the happiest day of my life. Thank you very much for giving us such precious, happy memories.”
Just like the song IWALY, izna reminded us to ‘have a nice day, and always remember they *I will always love you* because they promise of a quick return. izna concluded their debut Philippine concert not just as a successful tour stop, but as a deeply meaningful exchange of fun interactions and memories between a rising group and nayas. izna ‘Who Dat Girl?’ in Manila is presented by Three Angles Productions.
