Their music is as easy on the ears as their looks are easy on the eyes.
Everyone’s favorite subunit, EXO-SC, took the Smart Araneta Coliseum by storm with their charms and tunes with the final leg of EXO-SC “Back To Back.”
Chanyeol and Sehun of prominent K-pop group EXO have gone on a much anticipated Southeast Asia tour as EXO-SC, starting in Jakarta, followed by Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Manila was their last stop before heading back to Seoul, South Korea.
Araneta City was blooming with thrilled—and might we say, very pretty—EXO-Ls who came dressed in yellow. Pinoy fans decided to show up at the fan concert, which was made possible by Pulp Live World, in the happy color as a nod to the duo’s first mini-album, “What A Life,” which was released in three versions—yellow, green and pink. Chanyeol noticed and thought it was a very sweet gesture.
EXO-SC opened their sold out fan concert with “What A Life” to the elated screams of EXO-Ls, a silver ocean of lit Eribongs (EXO lightstick) waving to the beat. It was followed by their other hits such as “Borderline,” “1 Billion Views,” “Fly Away,” “We Young,” “Rodeo Station” and “Just Us 2.”
Fun with fans
It was obvious how SeChan (a shortened form of the duo’s first names) were both enjoying the white-hot reception by the Philippine EXO-Ls. They freely vibed with the crowd during “1 Billion Views” and even encouraged fans to sing the part of fellow South Korean singer, Moon. Chanyeol said the cheers were so loud it drowned out even his and Sehun’s voices.
“I was very surprised because even if our songs are in Korean, you were singing with us. I really liked that part,” said Sehun.
“It’s been a long time since we were able to come back to the Philippines,” he added. “We really missed you a lot and we really look forward to tonight. We’re expecting to have fun with all of you guys.”
EXO has performed in the Philippines for a total of six times already. The first was in 2013 for the “Dream K-pop Fantasy Concert,” followed by “EXO’luXion in Manila” in 2016, “EXO’rdium in Manila” in 2017, twice in 2018 for “ElyXiOn in Manila” and the MBC Music Show Champion, and the last one in 2019 for “EXplOration in Manila.”
Heartwarming stories
At the press conference before the fan con, the duo regaled their fans with fun and heartwarming stories about their individual activities and their plans as a duo and as a group.
“It’s been five years since we first became a unit. When we were first told about it, I didn’t think that it would be a serious plan but they were really serious about it,” Sehun said when asked what they felt when they were first told that they would be promoting as a duo together. “We’re really enjoying it and we are looking forward to our future activities and projects.”
He added, “If given the chance, we would want to come back to the Philippines again, this year.”
Big secret
Chanyeol also shared what rituals or habits he has before going on stage. “Before we do our show, I have to warm up my voice and do stretching. But most of all, I have to pray before any show,” he said.As one of the few K-pop artists who are busy in both their group and unit activities, Chanyeol shared that one of the secrets to their long-lasting career is to have fun or else it will be too tiring to do their job.
“I think the biggest secret is to have fun,” Chanyeol said. “And also because my relationship with the members is like family, like really close friends, it makes my job fun.”
And fun they had at the fan con as the two were pitted against each other during games. The ever competitive Chanyeol was even caught rolling up the sleeves of his light gray denim jacket while host Kring Kim was explaining the mechanics of Udang Tang Tang, ready to score points versus Sehun. He won the round.
Sehun, however, beat him in sipa. Yes, EXO’s cheeky maknae (youngest member) played our native Filipino game really well, probably even a lot better than most of us. And without any practice at that. The guy was a natural.
Something local
His prize for beating Chanyeol was a plate of traditional Philippine desserts—pichi-pichi, sapin-sapin and biko. “Wow,” Sehun exclaimed after his first bite of sapin-sapin, closing his eyes while savoring the sweet treat. “Actually I really like rice cakes,” he added while going for another forkful. He wasn’t a fan of the pichi-pichi, though, as he does not like cheese.
He shared the sapin-sapin, biko and pichi-pichi with Chanyeol-hyung (hyung is what a younger male calls an older male), of course, who liked them so much as well that he asked the crowd where they could buy the rice cakes so they could take some home to South Korea.
It goes without question though that the real winners of the night were the EXO-Ls present. During the “Wishing Ladder” segment, Chanyeol and Sehun played genie as they fulfilled the fans’ greatest wishes.
Excited shrieks filled the coliseum to the rafters as Chanyeol strummed his guitar and serenaded the crowd with Yeng Constantino’s “Hawak Kamay,” a song that EXO first performed for their Filipino fans when they first came to Manila ten years ago. It was followed by his cover of Radiohead’s “Creep.” It was a dream come true for many to finally watch this live.
Added treat
Sehun, of course, had his own gift for the fans as well, performing a dance medley of EXO’s “Love Shot,” “Growl” and “The Eve.” Chanyeol joined him in dancing to “Love Me Right” as an added treat to fans. We believe we can safely say that thousands of EXO-Ls went home swooning and lovestruck that night.
The duo obviously adore each other a lot. At the press con, Sehun had expressed with full delight that he missed Chanyeol a lot when the latter was rendering his military service and Chanyeol said it’s not lonely touring because he is with Sehun and they can grow their musicality together.
“I’m grateful [for this unit] because we can try different genres together and because Sehun has a different view of music, he enlarges my understanding and awakens my perspective,” Chanyeol said.
During their rest days, Sehun said that he sleeps just like everyone else and Chanyeol said he tries to go to the gym in his free time.
It’s not a secret to fans that both Sehun and Chanyeol have taken vacations in the Philippines. The duo told the press that they also want to visit different islands and provinces in the country as well.
Why PH EXO-Ls are loved
At the fan con, the two were surprised by Philippine EXO-Ls as a video compilation of fans singing and dancing to “1 Billion Views” was suddenly played on the stage’s giant screen. The astonishment and delight on Chanyeol and Sehun’s faces were unmistakable.
“It made me realize how much love you really have for us,” said Sehun, who never expected the video.
“How come you guys sing so well?” Chanyeol asked everyone. “I thought they played the wrong song,” he added with a laugh. He said the fan project made him feel so good that he did not want the night to end.
“Maybe I should buy a house here in Manila and just live here? I can do my shopping here, surf at the beach and eat lots of delicious food,” he teased.
Sehun said that the love they’re getting from their fans in the Philippines is making him—as well as the rest of EXO—look forward to seeing everyone again.
“That’s why all the EXO members love the Philippines very much,” he said.
He told everyone that he’s planning to come back with the rest of EXO. “I want them to see how much love you’re showing us tonight.”
Check out the press con tweets here:
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