Jaehwa Bernardo

K-pop group IVE pose for a photo with crowd during the Manila stop of their 'Show What I Am' concert tour at the Mall of Asia Arena, April 25, 2026. Photo from IVE's X account

Article (news)

‘Cooler, more confident’ IVE reunites with ‘precious’ Pinoy fans

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1777187870204IVE.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="K-pop group IVE pose for a photo with crowd during the Manila stop of their &#x27;Show What I Am&#x27; concert tour at the Mall of Asia Arena, April 25, 2026. Photo from IVE&#x27;s X account"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">K-pop group IVE pose for a photo with crowd during the Manila stop of their &#x27;Show What I Am&#x27; concert tour at the Mall of Asia Arena, April 25, 2026. <em>Photo from IVE&#x27;s X account</em></span></span></span></div><p>While rehearsing for their “Show What I Am” world tour, the members of K-pop group IVE were already envisioning how they wanted to present themselves to fans. </p><p>In a subtitled behind-the-scenes video shown during the Manila stop, Liz explained that the setlist was designed “to show a more confident and mature side of ourselves.”</p><p>“Because I wanted to show you an even cooler stage, we really prepared so hard,” Gaeul added. “So I hope DIVE[s] are having an incredibly happy time right now.”</p><p>That vision—showing a more impressive side of themselves while ensuring fans enjoyed every moment—played out exactly as intended during the tour’s Manila leg at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday night.</p><p>During their previous tour, “Show What I Have”—which also <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/7/15/-passionate-fans-make-ive-s-ph-concert-unforgettable-1535"><strong>stopped in Manila in July 2024</strong></a>, marking their last performance—IVE opened the show in white and light blue outfits that matched their dainty, princess-esque image.</p><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display:flex;max-width:550px;width:100%;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" style="position:static;visibility:visible;width:514px;height:787px;display:block;flex-grow:1" title="X Post" 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data-tweet-id="2048061807848563184"></iframe></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8"></script><div><br/></div><p>This time, however, the group switched things up, revealing an edgier side from the get-go as a cloth covering the stage dropped to unveil An Yujin, Gaeul, Rei, Jang Wonyoung, Liz and Leeseo in studded leather, striking fierce poses and expressions before launching into the concert opener “Gotcha (Baddest Eros).”</p><p>The opening set leaned heavily into their harder-hitting, cooler tracks—including their latest single “Blackhole”—which they powered through with barely any breaks.</p><p>The choreography, while still retaining a sense of elegance and grace, featured punchier movements.</p><p>The performances were matched by production that delivered the kind of spectacle fitting for K-pop’s chic chart-toppers: dazzling background visuals and lighting effects, spark fountains at the front of the stage, and an abundance of confetti.</p><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display:flex;max-width:550px;width:100%;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" style="position:static;visibility:visible;width:514px;height:812px;display:block;flex-grow:1" title="X Post" 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data-tweet-id="2048063664687862045"></iframe></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong>SOLO SONGS</strong></div><p>In their previous tour, IVE performed solos and duo stages, but only through song covers. This time, however, they expanded that approach, allowing each member to, in Leeseo’s words, “show and express the charm of every member” through performances of their solo tracks from their sophomore studio album “REVIVE+,” released in February.</p><p>Clad in a form-fitting red dress, Wonyoung—one of K-pop’s “it” girls, who boasts a 15-million-strong Instagram following—delivered “8,” asking listeners to “Count to 5 6 7 I 8,” a playful nod to the slang “I ate,” used to suggest doing something exceptionally well.</p><p>Sporting a ponytail, ribbon and a white-and-pink outfit, Rei looked effortlessly adorable as she performed the equally bubbly and brisk “In Your Heart,” followed by Liz, who channeled a pop-punk princess vibe with “Unreal.”</p><p>Gaeul enchanted fans with “Odd,” starting the performance on a lace-covered sofa as she delivered the dreamy opening verses, with the image of a crescent moon glowing behind her. The song then picked up into a more danceable mood, with the singer fully utilizing the walkway to the B-stage as part of her performance.</p><p>Leeseo, the group’s youngest, came out in a body-hugging black dress, vogueing to “Super Icy” before smoothly passing the stage to Yujin, who capped off the solo segment with “Force,” showcasing her stellar vocals—as if she wasn’t already impressing the crowd with her high notes in earlier numbers—as well as her sharp dance skills.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1777185515881IVE2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="IVE takes a backstage selfie moments before returning to the stage of the Mall of Asia Arena. Photo from IVE&#x27;s X account"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">IVE takes a backstage selfie moments before returning to the stage of the Mall of Asia Arena.<em> Photo from IVE&#x27;s X account</em></span></span></span></div><p>After kicking things off with, as Rei described, “some bold and kind-of-dark atmosphere songs,” followed by their solo stages, the girls returned to the stage in white jackets, skirts and angel wings, dialing down the energy with more relaxed tracks while largely interacting with the crowd.</p><p>The sextet also made sure to bring out their hit singles, reserving many of them for their final set. As they stepped onto elevating platforms on the main stage, which slowly ascended into tiers, the girls removed their white outfits—stripping themselves of their wings, if you will—to reveal gold tops, before launching into “Attitude,” with its catchy hook that interpolates “Tom&#x27;s Diner.”</p><p>The cheers and sing-alongs only grew louder as they dove into their signature song “Love Dive,” before fielding the empowering anthems “Rebel Heart” and “I Am.” And true to the lyrics of their supposed final song, IVE “be going out with a bang” with the showstopping “Bang Bang.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/06/04/23/the-rise-of-k-pop-girl-group-ive"><strong>Dive into IVE: Meet the chart-topping K-pop group exuding luxury<br/></strong></a></div><p>For the encore, IVE returned with “Wild Bird,” followed by Wonyoung reemerging from a raised DJ booth to kick off “Supernova Love” before her bandmates joined her, bringing a party atmosphere to the concert hall. They then finally—and truly—closed the concert (presented by Live Nation Philippines) with the disco-kissed “After Like.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>FILIPINO EXPRESSIONS</strong></div><p>There was no shortage of Filipino expressions, too, every time the girls spoke to their fans in between performances, drawing delighted cheers.</p><p>During the opening set, for instance, as the girls made their way to the B-stage, Yujin immediately greeted, “Kamusta kayong lahat? Na-miss ko kayo!” (I how are you all? I missed you!). An X user remarked how natural she sounded, even calling her “pinsan” (cousin).</p><p>Even their self-introductions were sprinkled with Filipino. “Ako ang cutie niyo (I’m your cutie),” Liz and Wonyoung both said. For her part, Yujin even asked, “Maganda ba ako? (Am I beautiful?)” and the crowd could only roar in agreement.</p><p>By the end of the night, the girls could only express gratitude for the passionate support they received from their Filipino fans. “Thanks to you guys, I had a meaningful and unforgettable moment today. I was so happy that I got to spend today with such precious people,” Leeseo said through an interpreter.</p><p>“I prepared a Philippine expression for you guys,” she said, before telling fans, “DIVE, mahal kita (I love you).”</p><p>“Since it’s been so long since we last visited the Philippines, I think we had more fun today,” Wonyoung remarked.</p><p>“Thank you so much and lastly” she said, taking a moment to rehearse before charming fans by saying, “Ako lang tingnan mo (Look at me only).”</p><p>Gaeul looked back on the promise the group made during their previous concert in 2024. “I remember that we promised we would be coming back. Do you guys remember that promise? It&#x27;s such a relief and we feel so happy that we got to keep our promise,” she said.</p><p>“Once again I&#x27;d like to promise you guys that we&#x27;ll be back,” she said.</p><p>Echoing Gaeul, Rei said, “We were really able to feel how happy you guys were through us. So please cherish the memories we made today and we&#x27;ll make sure to come back. Let&#x27;s see each other again.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>SETLIST</strong></div><p>Gotcha (Baddest Eros)</p><p>XOXZ</p><p>Baddie</p><p>Ice Queen</p><p>Blackhole</p><p>TKO</p><p>Holy Moly</p><p>My Satisfaction</p><p>8 (Jang Wonyoung solo)</p><p>In Your Heart (Rei solo)</p><p>Unreal (Liz solo)</p><p>Odd (Gaeul solo)</p><p>Super Icy (Leeseo solo)</p><p>Force (An Yujin solo)</p><p>♥beats</p><p>Wow</p><p>Off the Record</p><p>Flu</p><p>Attitude</p><p>Love Dive</p><p>Rebel Heart</p><p>I Am</p><p>Bang Bang</p><p>Wild Bird</p><p>Supernova Love</p><p>After Like</p>

<p>IVE sought to showcase a cooler, more confident side of themselves while ensuring fans had an enjoyable experience during their latest concert tour — and that’s exactly how it played out when it stopped in Manila.</p>

IVE sought to showcase a cooler, more confident side of themselves while ensuring fans had an enjoyable experience during their latest concert tour — and that’s exactly how it played out when it stopped in Manila.