EXO Xiumin was the headliner for the Galaxy AI Festival
Performers for the festival included Bini, Hori7on, Maki and Juan Karlos
“Sa wakas nagkita-kita na tayo sa kalsada ng BGC” Maki casually spoke on the mic in between belting the lines of his opening song “Bakit?” He smiled excitedly when he heard the audience cheer, before letting out a “yeah!” The line is a reference to “Saan,” another song that he would perform that night.
The young artist with a boy-next-door charm would check out the stretch of 5th Avenue that seemed to be endlessly filled with people. It’s his first time to perform on this stage. Happiness was written on his face as he sang his repertoire of heartbreak songs that included “Dilaw” and “Sikulo” which he co-wrote and performed with Angela Ken and Nhiko.
A total of 45,000 people came to attend the Samsung Galaxy AI Festival on July 13. The free concert was held to celebrate the launch of the newest Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6.
The festival was headlined by EXO’s Xiumin, but the Filipino artists performing at the event showed that they are just as wonderful and loved as entertainers.
Queens of P-pop
P-pop royalty BINI came in next. The girls had a flight to Cebu that night but despite the tight schedule that they ran that day, they didn’t make Blooms (BINI fandom name) felt that they were in a hurry.
Present onstage were members Maloi, Stacey, Sheena, Gwen, Colet, Jhoanna and Aiah. Mikha missed the show because she’s recovering from a knee injury. Stacey celebrated her birthday with a cake and a birthday song from the members and fans.
They were only onstage for a little over 30 minutes, but one could easily see why they are at the top of their game. They execute their choreography flawlessly from their first song “Lagi” to their last number “Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi.”
Their chemistry is felt in the little things they do for each other. Nobody hogs the mic in the ment (talking parts). In fact, they make sure that every member gets a turn to interact with the crowd, even through the silliest task such as leading the crowd to say “eey” with a hand signal.
The lyrics of “Pantropiko” and “Salamin, Salamin” had been committed to memory by most Pinoys that the crowd had no problem joining them in singing the songs.
Sad Songs and Juan Karlos
It’s not easy to follow a dynamic group such as Bini, but Juan Karlos was able to hold court. The artist shamelessly flirted with the crowd during his entire set.
He started with “Sad Songs and Bullsh*t” before proceeding to “Demonyo” and there was something in the way he took the stage. He made it feel like it was an intimate performance by keeping a facial expression usually reserved when you’re telling a naughty secret.
His songs are a little naughty, especially since some are peppered with curses that felt nice to sing out loud. He was mesmerizing in “Buwan” as he cradled the mic stand in his hands before he finished it off with “Ere.”
Salamat, Hori7on
Hori7on’s Vinci, Kim, Kyler, Reyster, Winston, Jeromy and Marcus came next and started with “Six7een ” before doing “Lucky” and “Hit Me”. The group has shown consistent growth judging the way they moved onstage. Their facial expressions are now on point, timing it perfectly in sync with their choreography.
In a song like “Dash” you could appreciate the group’s snappy movements and vocal range. Hori7on is in a very unique position in the market. The all-Filipino group promotes in Korea because they are also there, but at the same time, they still have songs like “Salamat” where they give a nod to their roots.
XIU-mazing!
Majority of the crowd were made up of EXO-Ls (EXO fandom). When Xiumin came out, the eribongs (lightstick) came out, too. They made up a beautiful cosmic latte ocean on the street that even Xiumin said that a lot of EXO-Ls came for him.
“Sigaw! Hello, EXO-Ls, did you miss me? I missed you,” he said after performing “Feedback” and “Serenity.” “I am glad to attend the Galaxy Festival in the Philippines where I got to see you.”
The fans started to chant “pogi” when he revealed that he got a haircut before he went to the country to attend the event. Xiumin is undoubtedly handsome, but his greatest asset is his talent.
Through the song “Love Letter,” the crowd was able to hear one of the sweetest voices in K-pop. He removed his shirt midway through the song and continued to perform through the night with his biceps exposed. The song ended with him getting down on his knees, extending his arms and his fingers forming a heart.
Xiumin as a solo performer can do a lot of things. He could dance high energy songs the way he did in “Brand New” and “Beyond.” His energy knew no limits as he jumped around the stage, hitting high notes while performing the choreography. And his fans loved every moment of it.
The festival was held to highlight the AI possibilities of Samsung products. But it also showed the possibility of Filipino performers to stand on the global stage with their Korean counterparts.
And that Filipino fans could love Bini, Maki, Juan Karlos and Hori7on as much as they love Xiumin and K-pop.
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