Words and photos by Danica Lacson

Youngjae day indeed!

South Korean singer-actor and GOT7 member Youngjae gave Philippine Ahgases the best memories last July 23 at the New Frontier Theater as he spends the day with them in back-to-back events.

The GOT7 member met his fans again through his first solo events in the country — 2022 YOUNGJAE MINI CONCERT: ‘SUGAR’ IN MANILA and ‘SUGAR’ FANSIGN IN MANILA. It was a delightful, nostalgic, and unforgettable experience for all attendees as the singer-actor did not hold back in creating special moments with his fans.

The mini concert kicked off with thundering cheers, welcoming Youngjae’s performance of “Tasty” from his first extended play Colors from Ars. The energy inside the New Frontier Theater continued to go up as the GOT7 member followed up “Tasty” with “Focus”, one of the tracks from his newest release, Sugar. He then went to greet his Filipino fans and enthusiastically played the “Guess the Song” and “Yes or No” games with them.

FOCUS ON YOUNGJAE 💚 #2022YOUNGJAE_MINICON_MNL @cdmentph @GOTYJ_Ars_Vita pic.twitter.com/8VGnyPFnjJ

— Philippine Concerts (@philconcerts) July 23, 2022

Fans are playing the Yes or No Quiz with Youngjae 💚 #2022YOUNGJAE_MINICON_MNL @cdmentph pic.twitter.com/2xuokbDc5Y

— Philippine Concerts (@philconcerts) July 23, 2022

The singer also recounted his experience of eating Jollibee — a recommendation from Filipino Ahgases. According to him, he found it delicious. He also remarked that he enjoyed some leisure time and relaxed, including going for a swim. “The weather was so nice,” he added.

Talking about his radio program, GOT7 Youngjae’s Best Friend, Youngjae, who started hosting the program in March 2022, shared that he considers all episodes memorable. He also gifted fans with a short rendition of “Wait For You” by Elliott Yamin. The singer-actor said he will never forget the lyrics of “Wait For You” as it is a song he had sung a lot of times. In addition, he considers Elliott Yamin an integral part of his artistry as he was an artist that helped him find his color.

Youngjae shared that hearing the cheers of Filipino Ahgases reminded him that the cheers and screams from Filipino fans were really, really loud and crazy. And indeed, the crowd did not hold back in showing their love for the GOT7 member. Louder cheers and applause resonated in the venue when he performed his title tracks “Vibin'” from Colors from Ars and “Sugar” from the album of the same name.

🎶 I wanna taste that sugar (oh, oh)
So good but so bad
Just the taste of that sugar (oh, oh) 🎶

Youngjae performed his latest song “Sugar” at the #2022YOUNGJAE_MINICON_MNL @cdmentph @GOTYJ_Ars_Vita pic.twitter.com/u8JSm1hjx4

— Philippine Concerts (@philconcerts) July 23, 2022

More than the cheers, Filipino Ahgases also gifted Youngjae with a touching video message and banner project. “IGOT7 is always with you,” read the banners raised during the mini concert.

“And here you are, the first one to come back.” Ahgases prepared a sweet video message and banner project for YOUNGJAE 💚#2022YOUNGJAE_MINICON_MNL @cdmentph @GOTYJ_Ars_Vita pic.twitter.com/T6W1laNswK

— Philippine Concerts (@philconcerts) July 23, 2022

The singer-actor relayed his gratitude to fans and reciprocated the love with performances of “Crema” and GOT7 hits “NANANA” and “Girls Girls Girls”. He even roamed around the venue and interacted with the audience during “Girls Girls Girls”.

🎶 Girls, girls, girls they love me 🎶

YOUNGJAE got the crowd hyped up even more with a performance of GOT7’s “Girls Girls Girls”, going around the New Frontier Theater and singing with fans 💚 #2022YOUNGJAE_MINICON_MNL @cdmentph @GOTYJ_Ars_Vita pic.twitter.com/h1fQOI9eR1

— Philippine Concerts (@philconcerts) July 23, 2022

Part II: Sugar Fansign in Manila

After the mini concert, lucky fans got the chance for a photo opportunity with Youngjae and participate in the send-off session. But the day was far from over. Following the mini concert, the singer-actor returned for the fansign event where he conversed with fans and granted their requests.

Chosen fans also got the chance for a photo opportunity. Top spenders also took selfies with Youngjae — a memory of a lifetime indeed! The event ended with a goodbye session with fansign attendees.

Part two of YOUNGJAE has started! #YOUNGJAE_FansignPH @cdmentph pic.twitter.com/p7KOgOfTw2

— Philippine Concerts (@philconcerts) July 23, 2022

Lucky fans got to take a group photo and selfie with YOUNGJAE 💚 #YOUNGJAE_FansignPH @cdmentph pic.twitter.com/ybTz23E4BZ

— Philippine Concerts (@philconcerts) July 23, 2022

An eventful day filled with the best memories from the sweetest man, Youngjae! July 23 was truly a day to remember thanks to Ahgases and Youngjae — the last one to leave and the first to come back.

July 23 was indeed YOUNGJAE DAY 💚 The GOT7 member returned to Manila for his first solo events in the Philippines —- #2022YOUNGJAE_MINICON_MNL and #YOUNGJAE_FansignPH.

Look out for our event recap soon on https://t.co/wC7SZbJ2JJ

Special thanks to @cdmentph pic.twitter.com/wIKzPEtLha

— Philippine Concerts (@philconcerts) July 23, 2022

Special thanks to CDM Entertainment for the invitation to the events.