Jaehwa Bernardo

K-pop group EXO takes a photo with the crowd during the first night of the two-night Manila stop of its "EXO PLANET #6 – EXhOrizon" tour at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on July 4, 2026. Photo from EXO's X account

Article (news)

'EXhOrizon' in Manila: EXO delivers hits, fan favorites

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783227258974EXO DAY 1.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>K-pop group EXO takes a photo with the crowd during the first night of the two-night Manila stop of its &quot;EXO PLANET #6 – EXhOrizon&quot; tour at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on July 4, 2026. Photo from EXO&#x27;s X account</div>The haunting sound of church bells echoed through the dimly lit Mall of Asia Arena. At center stage, the screens parted to reveal the silhouettes of Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai and Sehun clad in hooded robes, framed by the image of a “tree of life” — a visual callback to the music video for their debut single “MAMA.”The reference was unmistakable. The Korean pop superstars lowered their hoods, looked upward and launched into the opening lines of their 2012 song, delivered in its signature Gregorian chant style.EXO was in the house, back for their first full-group concert in the Philippines<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/08/24/19/absent-members-notwithstanding-exo-delivers-stellar-show-at-moa"> after seven years</a>.After the opening lines, the quintet shed their robes to reveal black-and-red leather ensembles before diving fully into the rock opera-inspired “MAMA.”It was a fitting opener, not only because it marked the beginning of EXO’s career, but also because it set the tone for a concert that celebrated the group&#x27;s journey.Running for nearly three hours, the show — part of the group’s “EXO PLANET #6 – EXhOrizon” tour — revisited songs from across EXO&#x27;s discography, drawing heavily from the band&#x27;s hit singles and fan favorites that have defined their career and helped establish them as one of K-pop&#x27;s most enduring and popular boy groups.The setlist surely made the long wait worthwhile for Filipino EXO-Ls, as the group&#x27;s supporters are known, whose rapturous cheers and thunderous fan chants resounded across the arena. Such enthusiasm was not lost on the members.“From our opening song, we could feel all your hearts,” Kai told the crowd through an interpreter on Saturday during the first of EXO’s two-night stop in Manila. “With all your energy, I’m very excited for tonight’s concert.”<div> </div><div>EXTENSIVE CATALOG</div>Presented by PULP Live World, the concert not only took fans on a journey through the group’s extensive catalog, but also served as a reminder of what makes EXO, EXO.Their music may span a wide range of genres, but the group’s defining strength remains its vocal prowess: harmonies that can land with explosive force in hard-hitting tracks or glide with smoothness in more restrained numbers.Complementing these are performances featuring choreography that ranges from powerful and sleek to sensual.Notably, the group is also down four members for the tour.Vocalists Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin are absent as they remain embroiled in a dispute with SM Entertainment, while China-based Lay is likewise not participating in the concert series despite reuniting with the group for the comeback album “REVERXE” in January.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2026/1/19/epic-crown-mv-signals-exo-s-comeback-with-reverxe-1811">READ: Epic &#x27;Crown&#x27; MV signals EXO&#x27;s comeback with &#x27;REVERXE&#x27; </a></div>Still, the remaining members more than held their own. D.O. and Suho carried many of the songs&#x27; soaring high notes, while Sehun and Chanyeol charmed and energized the crowd with their rapping. Kai, meanwhile, lived up to his “dance machine” moniker, dazzling fans with his charisma and effortless moves.Among the standout moments were the opening set, which leaned heavily on hard-hitting singles including “Monster” and “Overdose,” and “Jekyll”, and saw the members reemerge in suits and ties and perform alongside what appeared to be a human-shaped cloth suspended from the ceiling. The segment opened with a solo from Kai, who even sprawled across the stage as an aerial camera captured the scene from above.Also part of the highlights were the group’s best-known seductive number “The Eve,” complete with its fluid body rolls; the “Baby Don’t Cry” duet between D.O. and Suho; and the fan-favorite “El Dorado,” which unveiled the members in regal white attire.The group also treated fans to a medley of singles including “Tempo,” “Ko Ko Bop” and “Call Me Baby,” followed by another featuring “Power,” “Don&#x27;t Fight the Feeling” and “Run.”During the latter, large white balls were released into the crowd for fans to toss around before the members urged everyone to stand and jump along, turning the arena into a giant party, with stage lights and lasers adding to the festive atmosphere.And just when the audience thought they had heard all of EXO&#x27;s hits, the quintet rolled out the buoyant funk-pop gem “Love Me Right” and their signature anthem, the earworm “Growl.”<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783228912852EXO DAY 1-2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>EXO in a backstage photo from the first night of the Manila stop of &#x27;EXO PLANET #6 – EXhOrizon.&#x27; Photo from EXO&#x27;s X account</div><div>PLAYFUL INTERACTIONS</div>EXO also proved to be engaging showmen, filling the breaks between sets with playful interactions.Early in the concert, for instance, they challenged the crowd to create a wave using their light sticks. When fans pulled it off successfully, the members rewarded them with a glimpse of leader Suho’s abs.Later, when the audience urged Kai to do the same, he playfully quipped, “I’m wearing my in-ear, so I can’t hear what you’re saying.”After finishing their singles-packed set, the members also took it upon themselves to help clear the confetti with blowers, with “pogi” Chanyeol seemingly enjoying the task a little too much.It’s become something of a running joke among local fans that Chanyeol is practically Filipino at this point, having frequented the country for solo activities in recent years. The idea did not seem too far-fetched during the concert, as much of his opening remarks were delivered in Filipino — and yes, he still remembered what “pogi” meant, even teaching the word to his bandmates.After helping clear the confetti, Chanyeol showed that he had not forgotten how to sing “Raining in Manila” by Lola Amour, which he previously performed during his <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/10/22/exo-s-chanyeol-praises-pinoy-fans-singing-covers-raining-in-manila-1232">solo concert in 2024</a>. “After I sang this last time I was here, I still listen to it once in a while,” Chanyeol said, adding that he “really like[s] this song.”He then sang “Hawak Kamay” by Yeng Constantino — another one of his popular covers — before handing the microphone to the audience to sing along.Chanyeol was not the only one who remembered the song, however, as D.O. joined him while Suho recalled that EXO had performed it during a visit in 2013.“We have a lot of memories together,” Suho said.“But seriously Manila, the energy here, the vibe is just amazing,” D.O. remarked.Several lucky fans also had the chance to interact directly with the members. At one point, when some fans on the second level appeared to be leaving the concert hall, the members quickly took notice, playfully asking where they were headed and reminding them that the “show is not over!” Later, the members also turned the spotlight on fans eager to show off their dance skills. Among the highlights were two male fans, including one who performed to “The Eve” and another — a D.O. fan — who put his own spin on “Crazy,” twerking included, much to the amusement of the idols.At one point, D.O. even appeared to imitate his fanboy’s moves during his opening lines in “Forever,” drawing laughter from both the audience and Kai.<div> </div><div>PERFECT DAY</div>Before capping off the show with “Flatline,” Chanyeol said he “was very happy” to be back in the Philippines, while D.O. shared that “I’ll have a very sweet dream” because of the fans, whom he also thanked “for filling up this big venue.”For Kai, “Today was just really perfect.”“We sang together with you, we danced together, we were able to see one-on-one together and to jump. I could feel your happiness as well. And I think you also felt how happy I was, right?” he said. “Every single moment I spend with EXO-L is very precious to me.”Suho, meanwhile, assured fans that, “As long as you love EXO, we’ll be back for sure,” before praising the crowd with an enthusiastic, “Ang galing!”As fans continued to refuse to head home, a flirty Sehun quipped: “We also actually don’t wanna go home yet. However, your parents are waiting at home... I called your parents already and I promised them I won&#x27;t send you home late.”“We’ll try to be back in the Philippines as early as possible just to see you all very soon. I kinda feel like it won’t be too long until [we come back]. Please look forward to it,” he said.<div> </div><div>SETLIST</div>MAMAMonsterWolf (intro) + OverdoseMoonlight ShadowsGravityJekyllCrazyPLAYBOY + Artificial LoveThe EveLove ShotTempo + Ko Ko Bop + Call Me Baby (Medley)Power + Don&#x27;t Fight the Feeling + Run (Medley)Love Me RightGrowlBaby Don&#x27;t CryWalk on MemoriesDon&#x27;t GoEl DoradoBack It UpForeverCrownBack PocketFlatline

The Manila stop of EXO's EXhOrizon tour revisited tracks across the group's discography, with a setlist that leaned heavily on their biggest hits and fan favorites.

The Manila stop of EXO's EXhOrizon tour revisited tracks across the group's discography, with a setlist that leaned heavily on their biggest hits and fan favorites.