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K-pop star Baekhyun during the Manila leg of his 'Lonsdaleite' tour at the Araneta Coliseum, April 13, 2024. Photo: @BAEKHYUN_INB100/X

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Sleek moves, vocal prowess mark Baekhyun’s Manila concert

Jaehwa Bernardo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171324424000920240416 baekhyun.jfif" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">K-pop star Baekhyun during the Manila leg of his &#x27;Lonsdaleite&#x27; tour at the Araneta Coliseum, April 13, 2024. <em>Photo: @BAEKHYUN_INB100/X</em></span></span></span>MANILA — In the minutes leading to South Korean singer Baekhyun’s recent concert at the Araneta Coliseum, the Big Dome was buzzing with excitement as fans cheered and sang along to the songs played in the background.</div><p>The affair marked the EXO member’s first solo outing in the Philippines as well as the fulfillment of a promise he left to local supporters during his set at the Overpass: K-pop Music Concert less than a year ago.</p><p>At a little past 5:30 p.m., Baekhyun emerged on stage, looking strikingly regal in an all-white outfit while standing atop an elevated platform, welcomed by loud cheers and hysteric cries. As the platform slowly descended, the 31-year-old singer kicked off the Manila leg of his Lonsdaleite tour with the swagger-charged EXO track “Diamond.” </p><p>After breezing through a four-piece opener — which included another EXO song, “Playboy,” and “Stay Up” and “Ice Queen” from his 2019 debut extended play — Baekhyun greeted the audience in the local language: “Kamusta? Ako si Baekhyun… Na-miss ko kayo.”</p><p>(How are you? I’m Baekhyun… I missed you guys.)</p><p>“Even before the first [performance], your cheers were so loud. That just proves how much Eri waited for me, right?” he told a jam-packed audience at the Quezon City venue through an interpreter.</p><p>“Last year, actually, I went here for the Overpass: K-pop Music Concert. I promised that I would come back to meet you guys again, and I kept the promise, right? Thank you to those who waited.”</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/06/14/23/exos-baekhyun-bi-somi-shine-in-overpass-concert"><strong>READ: EXO’s Baekhyun, B.I, Somi shine in ‘Overpass’ K-pop concert</strong></a></div><p>Throughout the two-hour concert, Baekhyun captivated the crowd with his passionate performances and fluid singing. He effortlessly transitioned from delivering honeyed, silky vocals in songs like “UN Village” and “Bungee” to hitting powerful notes in “Cry for Love” and “Bambi.”</p><p>While Baekhyun is widely known for his vocal talent, make no mistake about it: he also excels in dance, as demonstrated by his execution of sleek choreography in “Ghost” and sultry moves in “Bambi.”</p><p>But Baekhyun and his dancers, including La Chica’s Simeez and Rian from “Street Woman Fighter,” bring more than just technical mastery. They infuse bright, upbeat numbers like “Poppin’,” “R U Ridin’?,” “Betcha” and “Candy” with a fun and energetic attitude, making them even more enjoyable to watch.</p><div><span dir="ltr" id="isPasted">Near the end of the show (produced by Wilbros Live), Baekhyun admitted, “Once again, I’m so happy to return to the Philippines. If I go back next time, I really want to do it (concert) [for] two days.” <strong></strong></span> </div><p>He explained that he had to return to South Korea for an EXO fan meeting, but that did not stop the crowd from chanting “Walang uuwi (No one will go home).” To this, Baekhyun responded, “I don’t really want to go as well, but I should show you a complete EXO with the other members.”</p><p>“Moving forward, I will try my best to come even more and meet you guys often,” Baekhyun said. In fact, during the concert, he kept floating the idea of holding another event in the country, considering that he <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/3/24/look-exo-s-baekhyun-is-new-bench-endorser-1048"><strong>recently became the newest brand ambassador</strong></a> of a local fashion company.</p><p>In a moment reminiscent of his set during the Overpass concert, Baekhyun gestured another pinky swear to the crowd, saying, “I promise, I will come back.”</p><div><em>For more news and features on K-pop, K-drama, and K-stars, visit the </em><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/kcontents"><em>Hallyu Corner</em></a><em> microsite.</em></div><div><strong>FROM THE ARCHIVES</strong></div><div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="1657125"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script></div>

<p>In his Manila concert, EXO member Baekhyun captivated the crowd with his passionate performances and fluid singing.</p>

In his Manila concert, EXO member Baekhyun captivated the crowd with his passionate performances and fluid singing.