“Be You 2” was the closest thing to having an SMTown concert in the country, so far. Powerhouse artists from SM Entertainment such as BoA, TVXQ, and EXO’s Xiumin and Chen performed for two nights in the country.
SMTown is the umbrella name of of all artists from SM Entertainment. The event is sought-after for multi SM artist fans because they get to see all their favorites and legends of the K-pop industry in one event.
With four K-pop acts from SM Entertainment, it did feel like a mini SMTown event. It was first held on Dec. 8 at Mactan Newtown in Cebu and on Dec. 9 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Manila. Filipino acts including veteran singer Pilita Corales, actor-singer Ian Veneracion, performer Lady Pipay, P-pop group G22 (in Manila) and Lukas Magallano (in Cebu) opened the shows.
Produced by Neuwave Events & Productions, the second installment of their “Be You” concert was held as a tribute to raise awareness about the elderly.
The concert felt both like a homecoming and a first date for all fans who are seeing their favorite artists for the first time or for the first time in a while.
For EXO members Xiumin and Chen who have been having yearly concerts in Manila since 2015, the crowd of their Filipino EXO-Ls (EXO’s fandom) probably felt like a familiar home to them that they made a promise to come back again.
“I went here for EXO’s concert before, right? It would’ve been nice too if the members were here with me.” Xiumin said.
Photos by Araneta Coliseum
EXO will be back
It is the first time for him to perform as a soloist in an overseas schedule.
“Look forward to EXO as a whole coming back to the Philippines. You guys will wait for EXO, right?” Xiumin added before he sang his last song “Feedback.”
He also performed his solo songs “Brand New,” “Serenity,” and “Love Letter.” Chen came after him.
“I remember Filipino fans really cheering loudly and warmly,” Chen said, before his last song. “As loud as our cheers, I hope you sing along with me loudly too.”
The crowd did not disappoint as they sang together with Chen in his performance of “Everytime”, a popular OST from the drama “Descendants of the Sun.”
Chen also performed his solo songs “Last Scene,” “I Don’t Even Mind,” and “Shall We.”
TVXQ
Next were TVXQ members Yunho and Changmin who were welcomed with loud screams by Filipino Cassiopeias (TVXQ’s fandom).
The duo expressed their shock that it was their first time to perform in the Philippines.
“As TVXQ, this is our first time to perform in Manila and we are so happy,” Yunho said.
TVXQ performed their songs “Maximum,” “Keep Your Head Down,” “Dream,” and their iconic song “Mirotic” which a lot of Kpop idols have either mentioned, sang or covered once in their careers.
“I regret that I only came to Manila now,” Changmin said. “Look forward to our next concert in Manila,” he added.
For the deserving finale, soloist BoA performed her hits “Better,” “Only One,” “Starry Night,” and “Forgive Me.”
BoA, who did her ment in both English and Korean, expressed gratitude for the warm welcome of the Filipino fans. Jumping Boas (her fandom name) also waved their big signs and yellow light sticks passionately for the artist.
At the end part of the concert, all five artists got together on stage for their last bow and a round of thank yous to the audience. The ending scene of “Be You 2” sealed the feeling of a mini SMTown concert. Xiumin and Chen even made a last run towards the extended stage to greet their fans one last time.
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