‘Ang galing niyo!’ — Pinoy fans leave IU in awe during her first ever concert in Manila

By: Gillan Lasic - 5 years ago

“I’m gonna bet everything that no one can beat Manila!” This is what IU told her Filipino fans or Ma-aenas during her first concert in the country last December 13, 2019 at the Araneta Coliseum. 

After the long wait, IU or Lee Ji-eun, one of South Korea’s top female solo artists and actresses (Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, Hotel Del Luna) finally met her “passionate and charming” Ma-aenas (Manila “Uaenas,” IU’s official fandom name) on a special Friday night. 

Photo by Gillan Lasic / INQUIRER.net

The loud chants and synchronized singing of Ma-aenas left IU in awe and she shared that it’s the first time that she can’t hear her own voice — the first time that the crowd was louder than her microphone. She said she never lost to the crowd before but on that day, she did. 

“I heard that Filipinos are good at singing and it’s true. You guys are the best! Seriously, ang galing nyo!” 

Photo by Gillan Lasic / INQUIRER.net

IU opened with “Unlucky” from her latest mini album Love, Poem, and said that it’s her first time to hear a fanchant for the song. She then proved that she’s “got this” and she’s “truly fine” when she performed an acoustic rendition “Palette” and even rapped G-Dragon’s part. IU followed with performances of “Autumn Morning,” “Friday,” “Secret Garden,” “The Visitor,” and “Jam Jam”.

Photo by Gillan Lasic / INQUIRER.net

The singer shared that she was surprised to see that her songs are popular here in the Philippines and apologized for making her Ma-aenas wait for a very long time. “If I knew a lot of people love me here in the Philippines, I [would] have come here earlier,” IU said.

Overwhelmed by the deafening chants and love from her fans, IU expressed that she’s grateful for their support and she feels great to be with them. “Masaya ang pakiramdam ko! Salamat dahil gusto ninyo ako,” she said.

Photo by Gillan Lasic / INQUIRER.net
Photo by Gillan Lasic / INQUIRER.net

She shifted to more upbeat songs such as “Twenty Three” and “BBIBBI” then sang “Hold My Hand” and “Last Night Story”. While performing BBIBBI, IU was amused to see how well the crowd knows the lyrics to the song and their enthusiasm made her declare Manila as the “mother of BBIBBI”.

IU also performed her latest bop “Blueming,” where fans raised a banner of blue rose during the song. She also sang “Knees” and “Meaning of You” and asked the crowd to sing along with her. There were romanized lyrics flashed on the LED screens so the crowd can sing along with IU, but of course, Uaenas know the lyrics by heart even if it’s in Korean.

IU commended Ma-aenas’ singing and said that she feels like “the whole nation is a singer”. “Every time I sing, I forget that I’m in Manila. I feel like I’m in Korea! I feel like this (her song) is the national anthem of the Philippines,” she added.

After a quick break, IU sang “Say You Love Me,” a song she used to sing when she was younger. She confessed that she often sang the MYMP song during her teenage years and asked to crowd to relay her admiration to the Filipino band. As a gift for her fans, she shared that she prepared this only for her Manila show and that it feels surreal to be able to sing it in the Philippines.

She also performed other hits, including “Through The Night,” “dlwlrma,” “The Red Shoes,” “Lullaby,” “Above The Time,” and “You & I”.

For her encore stage, she sang her breakthrough song “Good Day” and the title track of her latest mini album, “Love Poem”.

Fans didn’t leave the venue after the encore and shortly after a few minutes, IU came back on stage for an “en-encore.” She asked the fans what they want her to sing and gladly complied with their requests. She performed a total of six songs, including “Leon,” “Raindrop,” “Someday,” “Merry Christmas in Advance,” “Ending Scene,” and a ended the show with a heartfelt performance of “Heart” where everyone lit up the coliseum with their light sticks and mobile phones.

IU declared Manila as the new “city of passion” next to Busan, the previous title holder. She encouraged everyone to visit Busan if they ever plan to come to South Korea. “You guys might be brothers with Busan,” she joked.

Photo by Gillan Lasic / INQUIRER.net

“Today feels like it’s my first concert again. Mahal kita, Philippines! Seriously, I really love you guys so much! Even at this moment, I feel like this concert is a prank on me. The people who really love me are here in the Philippines, the city of passion and love,” IU said.

Among all Uaenas, IU assigned Ma-aenas to be in charge of “energy and passion”. She added that if every concert, her crowd was as loud and happy as Ma-aenas, she thinks she would have so much fun. “I think you guys are gonna beat everyone!”

Before wrapping the show, IU thanked everyone who came and assured them that she will be back soon. The concert lasted for more than 3 hours.

“Babalik ako para makita kayo ulit, I promise! I can’t forget today. Let’s remember this night for a long, long time. See you soon!”

IU also took to Instagram to express her love and gratitude for her Ma-aenas:

IU’s “Love, Poem in Manila” was presented by PULP Live World, Kakao M, Kong Yeon Team, and DX Manila Limited. 

Check out the highlights of the show below:

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