Month: September 2022

Superb is an understatement for everything that went down at the 2022 K-Pop Masterz Ep. 2 in Manila!

After the huge success of its first offering, the 2022 K-Pop Masterz concert returned to the Philippines with its second installment, bringing together a stellar lineup, an amazing stage design, passionate fandoms, and a concert experience like no other in the 2022 K-Pop Masterz Ep. 2 in Manila.

PULP Live World once again outdid themselves with an incredible concert that reminded everyone at The Big Dome that K-Pop is indeed home. With GOT7’s Youngjae, ATEEZ, and iKON teaming up with Ahgases, ATINYs, and iKONICs, the Araneta Coliseum saw fans come together — cheering loud and proud and having the best time of their lives that Friday night.

SEE ALSO: TREASURE, BamBam, and Jackson Lit Up “2022 K-Pop Masterz” In Manila

FOCUS ON HIM: Vibin‘ with Youngjae

GOT7’s Youngjae kicked off the 2022 K-Pop Masterz Ep. 2 in Manila, hyping the crowd with “Vibin’”, the title track of his first extended play and his self-produced and self-composed record, Colors from Ars. The intensity of the energy went higher as the singer-songwriter immediately followed it up with “Sugar”, the lead single of his newest EP of the same name.

Giving the audience a chance to recoup themselves from the excitement of the kick-off performances, the ever-charming Ryan Bang, the evening’s host, entertained the attendees with his humor. He also remarked that Filipinos are the happiest audience in the entire world — a statement proven true as soon as Youngjae returned, greeting the crowd with “Hello, guys! I’m Youngjae!” amid the cheerful screams of the fans.

The GOT7 member expressed his happiness to see Ahgases once again this year, having just held his first solo concert in the country in July. He also shared his hope to return to the country and visit places such as Cebu. Delighting fans more, the singer-songwriter also relayed his admiration for Filipinos, calling them beautiful. “I want to return since this is a beautiful place with beautiful people. I want to come back,” he said.

And the audience did not let the opportunity pass without giving Youngjae another wonderful memory in the Philippines as they sang “Happy Birthday” to him in English and Korean. “I love you, Manila!” he said, before going into performance mode again with “Tasty” and “Focus”. Indeed, the focus was on him as he takes over the stage with his stellar vocals and explosion of his various charms.

Ryan Bang joined him on stage for the TMI Talk – Have it or Don’t Have it. Through the segment, the audience got to know more about the singer-songwriter. Youngjae revealed that he keeps a diary at home, has GOT7 songs on his playlist, and owns more than ten white shirts. For his top GOT7 songs, he named “Girls Girls Girls”, “NANANA”, and “Never Ever” as his top three picks. And here’s more to look forward, Ahgases, because Youngjae revealed that he has more than 30 unreleased songs and that his second mini album has been prepared!

He also left with a sweet message and promise to fans who came out to see him, “I’m very thrilled that you were able to come up for me. Sooner or later, I will come back and perform on a bigger stage for you. I am very thankful to you for being here. I will come back on a cooler and bigger stage. It could be fast. It could be slow. If you just wait for me, I’ll be there soon.”

Youngjae closed his set with “Crema”, a track from the Sugar EP. Making the evening sweeter, the GOT7 member went around to give out signed balls.

ATEEZ PRESENT: ATEEZ debuts on the Philippine concert stage!

It may have taken a while, but the wait of Philippine ATINYs was definitely worth it as ATEEZ gave fired-up performances from the start until the very end. Making their debut on the Philippine concert stage thru the 2022 K-Pop Masterz Ep. 2 in Manila, Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung, and Jongho said hello to their local fans with their newest single, “Guerrilla”. Roaring cheers welcomed the members which intensified as they make their official greeting — 8 makes 1 team. One by one, the members introduced themselves and shared their first impressions of the Philippines.

Leader Hongjoong expressed his desire to hold a solo concert in the country in the future. “We can’t wait for our concert here someday,” he said. Not letting the energy die down, ATEEZ once again took the stage with their debut single, “Pirate King”. They then got everyone on their feet and singing along to “Say My Name” with ATEEZ present booming loud and clear at The Big Dome.

Taking a break from the heated stages and in an effort to bring out their competitive side, Ryan Bang returned on stage and joined ATEEZ. The boys showed off their teamwork thru a relay game. The maknae and the leader teamed up for a game of speak takraw, successfully completing the mission with their impressive skills. Mingi and Yeosang continued the winning streak with a success in moving archery. Meanwhile, Yunho, San, Seonghwa, and Wooyoung made sure that the streak goes on during their turn after getting the correct answer in the relay quiz.

With their success in the relay game, ATEEZ secured signed balls for the fans which they gave away while singing “Wave”. With grateful hearts, the members relayed their gratitude to everyone who patiently waited for ATEEZ and came to see them that night. “Thank you for waiting for us. It was such an honor. We will be back here. Salamat,” Yunho said. Yeosang also thanked fans for the warm cheers and his hope to meet them again. Hongjoong echoed his members’ wish to hold a concert in the Philippines soon. Mingi called it an honor to perform in the Philippines.

The gratefulness definitely went both ways as the crowd gave resounding cheers to ATEEZ as the boys performed “The Real”, capping off their first live performance in the country. The music of ATEEZ elicited widespread euphoria among the crowd — surely breaking the walls of The Big Dome.

SINOSIJAK! iKON comes back to their Philippine iKONICs

The countdown began. The crowd was on their feet. The cheers grew louder and louder. And in Bobby’s words, “Guess who’s freaking back!” Serving as the last performers of the night, iKON set The Big Dome ablaze from the get-go with “Sinosijak” and “Rhythm Ta” — officially marking their return to the Philippine concert stage after almost four years.

“I really missed you. Really really missed you,” DK said while looking at the Konbats at the arena. And iKONICs made sure that iKON knew how much they missed them by giving them resounding, thunderous cheers and chants that literally shook Araneta Coliseum. Chan remarked, “Manila is the best!”

Catching up on iKON’s latest activities, Ryan Bang gave fans the chance to get to know the boys more in the interview segment where Jay sang a bit of Filipino singer-actor Iñigo Pascual’s “Dahil Sa’yo”. He, later on, encouraged iKONICs to sing with him, having the cutest duet with the fans. Song, a.k.a. Chef Song of the Songchelin Guide YouTube channel, shared his desire to cook Filipino food. Meanwhile, maknae Chan recounted trying on halo-halo and banana cue.

DK, who recently made his runway debut at the New York Fashion Week, talked about coming to New York and walking the runway. ” New York Fashion Week was a great experience and a lot of fans cheered for me, so I was able to do well and come back. New York is nice, but I’m in Manila right now, so I feel better,” he said. With Ryan Bang’s encouragement and fans’ cheers, DK let Philippine iKONICs see his runway walk. The members also joined the fun, strutting their way to the extended stage.

But the night was far from over, as iKON amplified the energy once again at The Big Dome with “BLING BLING”. Allowing fans to take a break from the superb party, the boys shared some TMI to fans, including what they always do. They also completed the sentence, “Every morning…”, sharing the activities they do in the morning. Bobby shared he goes on Weverse, while Jay confidently said that he is sexy every morning. On the other hand, Song shared he shaves every morning. Ju-ne got everyone relating to him with his answer of sleeping every morning as he tends to wake up late. The dearest maknae is all grown-up, now knowing how to say sweet words as he answered that every morning, he thinks about Philippine iKONICs. Another relatable answer came from DK who shared he goes to the toilet every morning.

The interview segment got everyone smiling, but the next performance made those smiles bigger as iKON performed every iKONIC’s national anthem, the queen “Love Scenario”. Aside from the hype and the energy, iKON’s return was also emotional for both the members and iKONICs. Bobby opened up about being initially worried that their Philippine iKONICs may have forgotten them. However, according to him, as soon as they arrived in Manila, he felt the warm air and felt reassured that he had nothing to worry about. And that night at The Big Dome was a testament that iKONICs never and will never leave.

With a comforting heart and passionate spirit, iKONICs sang loud and proud with iKON in “Freedom”. The Big Dome turned red — fired up and blazing. iKON left the stage, marking the end of the show. But amid the chants for an encore, the boys came back, like they always do, for the crowd that missed them so badly, performing the final song of the 2022 K-Pop Masterz Ep. 2 in Manila, “BUT YOU”.

The 2022 K-Pop Masterz Ep. 2 in Manila saw fandoms come together to cheer loudly and proudly, dominating The Big Dome with their passionate hearts and unwavering dedication to their favorite artists. The months, years of waiting definitely paid off as GOT7’s Youngjae, ATEEZ, and iKON did not hold back and gave their all to their beloved Ahgases, ATINYs, and iKONICs who patiently waited and who warmly welcomed them.

Three artists. Three fandoms. One night. One heart. For K-Pop.

The 2022 K-Pop Masterz Ep. 2 in Manila was presented by PULP Live World and Happee Hour. Special thanks to PULP Live World and Happee Hour for the invitation to the concert.

Event covered by Danica and Josiphine