Surreal but SURE REAL: the EXO Planet #2 Concert Experience

By Jya-Mae Loristo for INQPOP!

Do you believe in other worlds where other creatures reside? Do you know an ‘exoplanet’? Me, I’ve been there. Twice!

EXO, the hottest Korean boy group, took their fans – EXO-Ls into a different world with their two-day concert, January 23-24, 2016. After waiting for almost three years, EXO came back to the Philippines to have their first solo concert which made a mark in the Philippine KPop history for being the biggest, grandest and first ever Kpop concert in the country. And the long wait was all worth it for they gave an out-of-this-world performance and surely everyone who’s been there had the best concert experience.

Ever since the official announcement of their concert here in the Philippines, PH EXO-Ls were all excited. The show was supposed to be for one night only, but as expected, many fans were saddened when the tickets were all sold out on the first day of ticket selling. Not until the Kpop Convention 7 that the organizers announced that there would be a Day 2! Also, to add to the excitement, EXO Dolls made their first visit to the Philippines and made the fans crazy with their Caravans held in different malls. No wonder a one-day concert can’t accommodate all the fans for the dolls themselves can already make a swarm of fans go wild.

Although EXO cam back incomplete because Lay has schedules abroad while two members – Kai and Xiumin were both injured and had to sit throughout the performances, Pinoy EXO-Ls gave them the warmest welcome; from the moment they landed in the Philippines where #TeamAirport diligently waited for them to the D-Day where the #TeamConcert gave the loudest screams, and the #TeamBahay who helped trend #EXOluXioninManila. Filipino EXO-Ls really anticipated so much for these days. Different fan unions also prepared a lot to make the concert extra special and memorable. There are several fan projects organized that involve all the concert goers. Fans raised different banners to show their love for EXO, and each member; and all made it possible to make a wonderful silver ocean, or more probably a galaxy.

Their honey vocals are even more lovable live, and each of them dance really well. Every performance they had showed were amazing and the crowd responded actively, some even sang through the whole song and not just the simple fanchants! Over all, they had performed 27 songs including the chart-topping Growl, Overdose, Call Me Baby, and Love Me Right. They also serenaded the fans and turned the arena into a winter wonderland with their songs Christmas Day, First Snow and Miracles in December. And who would forget the time when lights and music clashed through the arena and filled it with party vibe as the fans jumped with EXO in their Drop That performance! Indeed EXO have shown different sides of them – cute, sexy, playful, name it! EXO would also surely remember the PH EXO-Ls because they turned the VIP Floor into a dance floor! In sync, several fans danced with EXO until they get noticed by Xiumin. Thereafter, the boys sans and let the fans dance; which had never happened in any of their concerts before. Baekhyun even named them Phi-XO and Li-XO (Philippine EXO). After that, EXO got even more energized and really gave all their remaining energy performing their songs.

Looking back at the memories of the last weekend without being emotional is so hard. I wouldn’t have imagined that moment when my favorite Korean boy group stood right in front of me, singing and dancing through the songs I used to only watch on Youtube. It feels so dreamlike; especially when my bias, D.O. was standing in front of me! And it was even more unbelievable that I watched them live for two consecutive days, but I can’t seem to get enough of it!

When they came near us, all I could do is to stare at them because it felt so unreal! The best part of it is how they involved the crowd so much, and that you can see that the audience weren’t just the only ones who are enjoying but also EXO, themselves; even the injured members wanted to perform so badly, even grooving on their seats and singing their hearts out. They literally turned the Arena into a party! Also, it is precious to be a part of the famous silver ocean and be able to sing chants with the other fans. And from the two-day concert event, I was able to meet lots of new friends. The rest is beyond explainable.

Now, it’s time to wait for their next concert here in the Philippines. But one thing is for sure, they would be back and we would all have another intergalactic experience, soon!