The EXO fairy and beloved “fake maknae” cast his spell on Manila during the second-to-the-last stop of his first solo fan concert tour, < X Times ( ) >. The idol-actor charmed Elsas and EXO-Ls with playful fictional personas and a powerful stage presence. Having visited the Philippines thrice in the span of 12 months, can we count on him returning soon? We “Whee!”-ly hope so!
On May 10, 2025, EXO’s XIUMIN brought a much-needed chill to Manila with his first solo fan concert in the Philippines, held at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City. As part of his < X Times ( ) > Asia tour, the idol-actor delighted Elsas and EXO-Ls with his signature blend of arctic charm and aegyo.
This Pulp Live World production marked his third official appearance in the country within 12 months. He was here twice in 2024–for the Samsung Galaxy AI Festival last July and the Korea Travel Fiesta last September. The fan con tour, which started in Seoul last March and ends in Thailand this May, marks a significant milestone in his career, showcasing his growth as a solo artist. Here are all the highlights that enchanted us during the Manila show of the so-called “fairy” of EXO:
XIUMIN’s Extraordinary Fictional Personas Just “Make You LaLa”
Through the posters and VCRs, the story of the fan con revolved around a mysterious man called “X”–who, what, where he is… whatever we can find out about him. It was all about the different or hidden sides of XIUMIN, who orchestrated everything and said he was (and will always be) very international with the story he wanted to tell. Through the interpreter, the artist said, “I really need to always have a storyline. That’s why I really exert a lot of my [attention] on VCRs.” We met so many lovable characters along the hunt for “X.”
He opened the show with a preppy reporter look to match the Reporter Xiu character he introduced on the tour. The dashing “X Times” correspondent gave his rendition of “Daisy” and mesmerized the whole theater with his vocals. During the “Hot Ixxue” Q&A segment that followed, he engaged attendees with his bright aura and candidly bantered with the interviewer. Fans couldn’t help but chant “Pogi! Pogi!” because of how handsome he looked. He remembered that, so throughout the show, he owned his brand-new MBTI, “POGI” (dubbed by the Q&A host). He also did a full cover of “Footsteps,” a song by Emerald Castle, which he sang during his audition for SM Entertainment.
At one point, XIUMIN was tasked to dress up in a hanbok to revive his Heo’s Diner role, Heo Gyun. Aside from his dashing visuals, he amused everyone by taking on the trending Chicken Banana dance challenge in his silly way. If that were a real product, XIUMIN would be the perfect CF model—hands down.
Then, we got to see glimpses of the dark and mysterious X with his cool swagger. It might just be the parts of XIUMIN that he usually keeps to himself but fans recognize nonetheless. However, the one that left a lasting impression on many of the fans was the doe-eyed citizen who gave stuttering eye-witness accounts of X. He was cute, clumsy, and charmingly chaotic at the same time–he was hailed Manila’s favorite among his X Times personas. Because of this, the idol promised to prepare even funnier VCRs next time.
Walang Uu-”Whee”?: His Wit Shone During Fan Interactions
Chanting, “Walang uuwi” (nobody goes home!) has become a sort of tradition in K-pop concerts. Fans would repeat this when the moment feels right to jest with the artist to extend the show (or you know, stay in the country and never leave). There have been several different responses to this chant, and this time, we got a new one from XIUMIN, a.k.a. Kim Min Seok. EXO’s eldest member simply chuckled, flashed his signature “Whee!” gesture, and turned the chant on its head—prompting fans to reply with a chorus of “Whee!” instead.
And this fun fan interaction happened multiple times during the show. It became XIUMIN’s way to ground EXO-Ls, calm them down, and bring their focus back to the program.
His Energy Seemed “Brand New” in Every Stage
During the Q&A, the 35-year-old confessed that he felt like his energy was depleted after giving his all during the VIP soundcheck. But on stage, you wouldn’t have guessed it. Every time he performed or delivered his ments, it didn’t look like he was even slightly tired. He may have been sweating buckets, but he still looked fresh—ready to bust a move or drop a joke at any moment.
Aside from the tracks mentioned in this article’s headings (pardon the puns!), XIUMIN also performed other hits from his debut solo mini-album, Brand New, like “Serenity” and “Feedback.” It felt like he got recharged as he danced his epic bop, “Beyond.” He ended the memorable set list and bid the sweetest goodbye with “Love is U” from his sophomore EP, Interview X.
Filo ELSAs and EXO-Ls Showed X Times the Creativity in Fan Projects
Thanks to the collaborative efforts of local and international fan bases, the Manila show became even more magical. A street within the NFT vicinity was lined with lamp post banners featuring his diverse visuals over his career that spans more than a decade. There were special photo zones where fans could gather, take snapshots, and claim or trade freebies. There were also glowing crystal flowers, lighted butterflies, a touching tribute video, and many other events to make the Manila stop truly one-of-a-kind, just like the artist.
< X Times ( ) > in Manila was a special night for fans who have been loyal supporters of XIUMIN and EXO over the years. The idol’s ability to blend high-energy performances with his endearing candor and heartfelt moments showcased his growth as an artist and his deep appreciation for his fans. As the show ended, one thing was clear: XIUMIN didn’t just meet expectations—he went “Beyond.” With energy that never dropped and a heart full of gratitude, he left Manila already dreaming of the next chapter for “X.”
Photos: Pulp Live World
