Chen, soloist, and member of K-pop group EXO, concluded his Beyond the Door Fan-Con tour with an unforgettable night in Manila.
Held on November 23 at the New Frontier Theater, the sold-out event marked the final stop of his Asia tour, which began in Seoul and visited Taipei, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur.
No Stress
The evening was an intimate showcase of Chen’s vocal talent and warm personality. His understated entry set the tone: no grand announcements or fanfare—just a darkened stage and his heartfelt rendition of “Empty.” The stage, adorned with plants, wooden accents, and mellow lighting, created a cozy ambiance. He welcomed fans into this serene space, saying “You don’t have to be stressed here.”
This relaxed sentiment carried through the 14-song setlist. A video interlude offered fans a glimpse into his creative process, where he shared, “I want to create music that isn’t overwhelming but instead approaches you in a simple and pure way.” Known for his ability to channel raw emotion lyrically and vocally, Chen’s voice was both tender and powerful.
Chaos and Costumes: The “Chenllenge”
A highlight of the event was the delightfully chaotic “Chenllenge,” where he attempted to guess missing lyrics from songs by EXO and EXO members without knowing the titles. Despite his best efforts, he got none correct, leading to a series of hilarious costume changes including butterfly wings, a Cardcaptor Sakura outfit, a French fry suit, and finally, a flying squirrel onesie. In his last costume, he joked, “Audience on the second floor, just wait—I’ll fly to you.” He skipped guessing the lines to Baekhyun’s “Pineapple Slice” altogether and delivered an apology video instead.
His playful banter with the audience added a unique Filipino charm. As fans cheekily counted down his thinking time, he complained, “Bakit ganyan kayo sakin?” (“Why are you treating me like this?”), revealing that no other stop on the tour had done so. Recognized as part of EXO’s mischievous “beagle line,” Chen fully embraced the chaos, pleading, whining, and even nagging the translator to stop laughing in his ear—all in good fun.
He shared that before the show, the director approached him wishing they’d meet again with a smile now that the tour has ended. Chen quipped that, after all the costumes he had to wear, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to.
An Exchange of Light
Beyond the laughs, the evening displayed a deep bond between Chen and his fans. The photo area at the Fanzone featured a bench inspired by one Chen personally designed and crafted for the Seoul stop.
Before the photo session, fans surprised Chen with a video showcasing how his music has become part of their daily lives. Touched, he responded, “I’m not someone who shines brightly, but someone who reflects your light to shine even brighter.”
Fans also transformed the theater into a glowing meadow using blinking dandelion lights during “Starlight”. Moved by the fan projects, Chen said, “I want to make these things (for you), but you made it for me. I see how you care for me and love me.” He acknowledges, “Even though it’s cliché, the voices of my fans are my greatest strength.”
An Open Door
Chen wrapped up with a double encore of iconic K-drama OSTs, “Best Luck” from It’s Okay, That’s Love and “Everytime” from Descendants of the Sun.
With no dancers, elaborate effects, or backup singers, Chen carried the entire show by himself. While his ballads were wistful, his humor and spontaneity made the evening equally lighthearted and sincere. Whether dressed as a magical anime girl or pouring his heart into a song, Chen reminded fans why they’ve stayed by his side—not just for his voice, but for the person behind it.
As the curtain fell, the night felt less like a farewell and more like a promise of brighter doors yet to open.
Words: MAJ
