K-Pop group BTOB rocks Manila concert stage after seven years
by Nikko Tuazon Filipino Melodies, the dedicated fan club of the K-Pop group BTOB, certainly had an unforgettable experience witnessing the group's return to the Manila concert scene.
Presented by Ovation Productions, BTOB—composed of Eunkwang, Peniel, Hyunsik, Minhyuk, Changsub, and Sungjae—brought their 2024 BTOB FAN-CON LIVE IN MANILA to the Mall of Asia Arena on April 7, 2024.
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Prior to their highly anticipated "Our Dream" fan-con, BTOB, with the exception of Sungjae who was unable to attend due to a prior commitment, gathered with 100 fortunate fans and members of the media for a press conference held at the Marina Way entrance lobby.
Spotting some of their fans, Eunkwang exclaimed, "Na-miss ko kayo, sobra!"
With the assistance of a translator, Eunkwang expressed his excitement about returning to the Philippines, mentioning that he had been eagerly anticipating the visit since some of his group members had previously been to the country for solo projects.
He said, "Nakakainggit kasi may ibang solo performances yung ibang BTOB members kaya sobrang excited ako to come as a group.
"At ngayon, nandito na ako at sobra sobrang saya ko na andito na ako."
Members of BTOB also took the time to prepare Filipino phrases as a gesture of gratitude towards their Filipino fans.
Minhyuk told them, "Mahal ko kayo!"
Meanwhile, Hyunsik quipped, "Walang uuwi!"
Taking a more serious tone, he offered an apology on behalf of the group for the delay in their visit to the Philippines.
Their last recent visit to the country was on January 7, 2017, for their debut fan-meet held at The Theatre at Solaire Resort in Paranaque City.
Hyunsik said, "First of all, we are very apologetic for making you wait for such a long time. May ibang schedules kasi, and nag-serve sa military... pero maraming maraming salamat po sa paghintay and for staying with us."
Eunkwang ended the press conference telling their fans, "Our Philippine Melody, kay ganda! Today, walang uuwi!"
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BTOB: PERFORMANCES
BTOB delighted their fans with an impressive lineup of performances at their fan-con, starting the concert segment with a heartfelt rendition of "The Song."
After their opening performance, the sentimental atmosphere swiftly gave way to BTOB's trademark energy and humor as they took the stage to deliver their lively and amusing opening remarks.
Demonstrating their preparedness to engage with their local fans, the boys delighted the audience by effortlessly dropping Tagalog phrases they had learned, such as “Hay nako!”, “Sobrang na-miss ko kayo,” and “Melody kay ganda.”
Turning a bit more serious, Changsub was happy to see their Filipino fans after seven years.
He said, "It's been seven years since our last visit to the Philippines... Thank you all so much for waiting for us, Philippine Melody."
Following their brief introduction, the group seamlessly transitioned into their performance, treating the audience to an array of hits including "I'll be Your Man" and "Higher."
The K-pop icons continued to thrill their fans with a series of memorable tracks, including favorites like "It's Okay," "Day & Night," "Wind And Wish," and "Remember That."
In addition to their upbeat dance numbers, BTOB also mesmerized the audience with soulful ballads such as "Beautiful Pain," "Only One For Me," and "Missing You."
BTOB: FAN INTERACTIONS
Another highlight of the event undoubtedly was the games.
During one segment, BTOB engaged in a relay game where each member took on challenges for their fans' enjoyment.
With the audience cheering them on, the group successfully completed all the challenges after a few failed attemps.
Adding to the fun was the "From Melody" segment, where fans wrote messages and questions on post-it notes for the group.
One memorable moment occurred when a member was challenged to say "Nakakapagpabagabag."
Peniel also rose to the occasion, selecting one note that asked about his favorite food.
He enthusiastically mentioned Halo-Halo, describing it as "very coconutty," and expressed his desire to try Chicken Adobo.
Eunkwang further endeared himself to the Filipino crowd by singing the opening verse of P-pop sensation SB19’s “Mapa,” a song he described as one of his favorites.
Towards the end of the fan-con, BTOB watched a heartfelt montage featuring fans from every corner of the Philippines expressing their adoration for the group.
Moved by the display, Hyunsik shared, "After seeing the video you all prepared, I felt compelled to reciprocate the love I've received.
"I was actually quite anxious. I didn't expect such a large turnout of Melodies tonight, so thank you all very much."
Peniel, for his part, expressed his hope for the group's prompt return.
He said, "We'll strive to come back sooner than another seven-year gap.
"Maybe once more this year, or perhaps next year. Hopefully, we'll have the chance to see you all again."
To close out the night on a high note, the band surprised everyone with a lively rendition of "Blowin' Up" and a touching performance of "Finale (Our Concert)."
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