Enhypen ended their “Manifesto” tour in Manila through a sold-out three-day concert.
It’s been barely three years since the boys of K-pop group Enhypen were catapulted into global stardom, and eventually, into their first world tour.
Jungwon, Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo and Ni-ki were first put together through the 2020 reality show “I-Land.” They gained fans as they geared for a debut in a pandemic void. They then became Enhypen, cheered on by a collage of pixelated Zoom screens, a triumph in the trappings of quarantine.
The seven never lost their optimism despite being thrust to the stage during one of the most difficult times in the industry. They steadily met fans through online fan signs, performing for an empty hall with lightsticks on chairs and eventually, to a noiseless audience limited by COVID protocols.
Lo and behold, Enhypen still managed to make a name for themselves, their perseverance pushing them forward. Despite being shortchanged by the coronavirus, the boys continued to work toward their goal of eventually meeting their fans in person. In a year, they were hailed as K-pop’s fourth-generation hot icons, doubling down on the title of K-pop prodigies.
Pandemic debut
In the last five months, Enhypen sought to overcome this “pandemic debut,” hoping to translate the online into offline as they set off on their “Manifesto” tour, a show that embodies its name. It’s their first foray into the world of touring, hitting 12 cities, and playing 22 shows in venues across the globe.
We followed them to Seoul, where they first met their fans and settled into their first concert in September 2022. They were proud and playful then, a little shy, but growing into their own skills. This January, we saw Enhypen perform for their biggest audience yet in Osaka, drawing a crowd of 80,000 in a soldout weekend, cool and poised amid the largest stage of their lives.
Read: Enhypen’s Kyocera dome debut proof they’re on same path as K-pop legends
And their “Manifesto” journey ends here, in Manila, with a rare three-day sold-out weekend, a feat in and of itself. It’s the seven boys’ first concert in the Philippines, a homecoming of sorts, as they visited for a brand-sponsored fan meet just last year.
From Feb. 3 to Feb. 5, Enhypen met a crowd of 27,000 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena, bringing with them a spectacular set of stages. The setlist is meticulously curated to tell the story of the seven, with each segment dedicated to explorations of their sound and artistry.
The arena was swirling in excitement for the first day of “Manifesto,” the fans fueled by the adrenaline of anticipation. A current of emotions sweeps the crowd, as the once subtle buzz of conversation morphs into deafening, explosive screams as the lights of the arena dim.
Loudest crowd
Enhypen’s entrance is almost folkloric, with the members dressed as princes, clad in embellished white suits against the backdrop of the haunting synths of “Intro: Walk the Line.” Almost immediately, lights ignite the arena as the boys perform what probably is the most important track of their career, their debut single, “Given-Taken.”
“This is not the biggest arena we’ve been to, but this is the loudest,” member Jake says, as the group marvels at the crowd. There are no vacant seats at the venue, with Filipino fans taking it upon themselves to make sure Enhypen has material proof of their success—three days with a full house of fervent fans.
The seven boys then show off their boy-next-door charms in glittering renditions of their soft pop records. The triple run from “Not for Sale,” “Let Me In (20 Cube)” to “TFW (That Feeling When)” is designed to capture hearts, with the seven flirting with the crowd. Enhypen are devastatingly handsome and charismatic, showering the crowd with winks and knowing glances, an overwhelming presence that would make you physically clutch your heart in surrender.
Beyond expectations
Songs like “Drunk-Dazed,” “One in a Billion” and “Fever” are injected into your bloodstream, as the boys evolve into sensuous rock vampires. Bathed in red, the psychedelic beats sink into your skin, with the members making your heart race with intense choreography, vocal runs and camera-ready smirks.
Funnily enough, the boys seem to underestimate their own charms when they go on to address the crowd, with member Sunoo confused as to why the audience was cooing at his natural cuteness. They’re not afraid to be goofy and silly, teasing each other as they take turns to banter with their Engenes (Enhypen fans).
“[This night] went beyond my expectations, you guys have such good reactions and cheers,” Sunoo says.
The moment is especially heartfelt for Sunghoon, who first stepped into the venue as a figure skater set for greatness, but returned as an idol, as Enhypen a decade later.
“I’m very happy I came back as Enhypen,” Sunghoon says. “I’m happier than I was 10 years ago, since I have my members and Engene,” he says.
The startling power of the seven is also best showcased in tracks like “Attention, please!,” and dance bangers like “Go Big or Go Home.” The members bring out big, smoking guns (literally) as they party on stage, bouncing around with the crowd, having the time of their life with fans as they command their destinies.
Memorable moment
In “Polaroid Love,” the viral-hit that had a visceral grip on the Philippines, the boys run down to their Engene, wanting to greet them at eye level. They fittingly take selfies for fans who brought them cameras, delighting them with a stream of heart poses, and giving out high-fives as they run around the floor. It plays out like an endearing scene from a youth drama—as if the boys are campus crushes in their varsity jackets, making their rounds and greeting their longtime peers and admirers with affection.
Read: Enhypen in Manila: No Engene left behind
The night continues into the thumping textures of “Tamed-Dashed,” a certified fan favorite. The catchy and bright record immerses the crowd in the world of the members, young and ready to take on the mischiefs of fame. And in “Future Perfect,” Enhypen are rising stars, surrounded by an audience that has been with them through it all. The track itself contains Enhypen’s history, and it translates onto the stage in bombastic execution. It’s a breakthrough for the group, an anthemic acceptance of their development as artists.
In their last stop of the tour, the septet’s growth is tangible, not just as idols, but as a family. We see it in the little ways they care for each other onstage, initiating group hugs, leaning on each other as they gaze at a sea of their fans. They’re closer now than ever, and much surer of what the future holds for them.
“I’m just so happy that the seven of us are here on stage together, but most of all I’m grateful. When I think about happiness, I’m gonna remember this moment in a long time,” Jake says.
Energetic
The usual ache of a goodbye faded when the crowd cheered Enhypen’s name at the encore. It was a steady stream of chants, something we Filipinos would like to believe was unique to us. Enhypen seems to agree, as they praise the crowd’s energy.
“I swear to God, to be honest, today is one of the most energetic concerts in this tour,” member Jay says.
There’s a renewed sense of determination when the seven boys come running back onstage. Now, they are clad in their own tour shirts and hoodies, as if ready to start the show all over again.
“I don’t want to believe that this is the last part of the concert,” leader Jungwon says. “We went to a lot of countries for our concert, but Philippine fans are the most passionate. Because of you, we’ll be doing more of our best,” he says.
Manila only
As the night comes to a close, the crowd stills and brings up their slogan: “Our Manifesto that Engene and Enhypen will draw together,” it reads, with the banners filling the entire arena with an orange glow. As the boys read the signs, Engenes launch into song.
This particular moment is meant to be captured in cinematic scope, with a camera panning across the thousands of fans diligently singing the words of “Shout Out.” It takes the boys by surprise, as the Filipino crowd sings a Korean song in unison, and in acapella.
The response is overwhelming for the seven, with Heeseung taking off his in-ears as if to breathe in the moment. The other members take a pause as well, giddy and taken aback by the earnest expression of love and support. The members guide the crowd as the chorus hits an emotional peak. “My life without you is a misery,” Enhypen and Engene declare to each other, a promise, a manifesto.
The perfect harmony between both Enhypen and their fans is one of the most beautiful moments this writer has watched live. I’ve never seen a song physically come to life in the way “Shout Out” has during this concert, with Enhypen and Engene creating their own little universe in real time. At “Manifesto” in Manila, Enhypen and Engene were each other’s witnesses and listeners, set to shake the world together.
The best
“Manifesto” is a statement, a story of growth, and a declaration of Enhypen’s relentless pursuit of greatness. These boys do not take anything for granted, as proven by their outpouring of gratitude to their Filipino fans. There was no shortage of “Mahal kitas,” or “Salamat pos.” Their effort to learn the language and communicate with their local fans was admirable, everything motivated by their desire to repay the love they were receiving.
In three days, Enhypen and Filipino Engenes made sure to make “Manifesto” in Manila unforgettable. The septet became more at home with each show, even treating fans to exclusive Manila performances of the kid-tailored “Billy Poco” and labelmate NewJeans’ “Hype Boy.”
“Philippines, you are the best!,” maknae (youngest member) Ni-ki says. “[Because of the] love and energy you’ve given us, we’ll do our best to come back sooner, so please wait for us,” he adds.
This is just the beginning for the boys of Enhypen, one chapter they’ve closed with a bang, and we can’t wait to see how their story unfolds.
Pulp Live World and Happee Hour presented “Manifesto” in Manila.
Here’s how this piece was laid out on the pages of the Philippine Daily Inquirer:
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