[PHILIPPINES] THE BOYZ Takes Filipino Fans for a Thrillin’ Ride at ‘ZENERATION’ in Manila

THE BOYZ finally held their first ever solo concert in the Philippines since their debut in 2017! The 11-member idol group performed at the Araneta Coliseum last July 15, 2023 for their 2nd World Tour: Zeneration in Manila.

Although this is the group’s first solo concert in the Philippines, Sangyeon, Jacob, Younghoon, Hyunjae, Juyeon, Kevin, New, Q, Ju Haknyeon, Sunwoo, and Eric are no strangers to Manila. They have performed for Filipino Deobis a couple of times and the latest one was during a joint concert earlier this year. The group recalled having an amazing time then, but said that they are happy to perform for Filipino Deobis solely and longer this time. 

The concert started when the stage turned red and smoke covered the venue eventually revealing eleven visually stunning men. The group powerfully opened the show with performances of their darker and sexier tracks namely, Ego, Reveal, Awake, and Roar.

Then it was a total 180 reverse when they came back to the stage donning blue and white-themed casual outfits which made them look like they came out straight from a ‘high teen drama’. They performed their more cute and youthful songs,  I’m Your Boy from their debut EP, The First, followed by Text Me Back from their second EP, The Start, KeePer from their first single album, The Sphere, and Only ONE from their third EP, The Only.

For their first talking segment, members Eric, Kevin, Sangyeon, and Juyeon tried winning their Filipino fans even more by trying to speak in Tagalog. Kevin even referenced a locally famous meme and said, “Mabuhay! Kamusta mga beshy ko? (Hello! How are my besties?)” which made the crowd burst in laughter.

The concert continued with refreshing performances of Whisper, Water, Thrill Ride, and D.D.D.. Watching this part of the show was like drinking ice-cold soda in the middle of the beach. It was so refreshing and the energy of THE BOYZ and Filipino Deobis did not seem to wind down.

After a VCR was played, the group came back to the stage wearing black and white outfits. The 11 members looked so ethereal and dreamy performing a medley of Lucid Dream, Daydream, Butterfly, and Wings. 

A quick change into white-red-black outfits and the dream turned into Nightmare, followed by Russian Roulette and  Insanity. They closed this part with a performance of Maverick. 

Although this show’s setlist took us through the different “zenerations” of THE BOYZ and showcased just how diverse and versatile the group’s discography can be, unfortunately there were still crowd favorites that were not included. Not wanting to leave any fan disappointed, the group sang snippets of The Stealer and Bloom Bloom. 

After a short break, they came back and changed into white prince outfits. They performed songs especially written for their fans, Spring Snow, and Horizon. And then it was time to say goodbye. 

For their closing segment, Eric greeted everyone a “happy five years and seven months to my forever” while New said that he thinks he will remember everyone like a photo in his mind. Jacob thanked the fans for coming to the show despite the heavy rains prior and acknowledged the amazing energy of the crowd by saying, “It’s been a long time since my ears have hurt from the screaming.” Members Haknyeon and Q said that they will do their best to come back and give better music. 

Hyunjae felt sorry that it took a long time for the group to have a solo concert here but said that tonight made up for all the years they have been unable to perform for their Filipino fans. Younghoon teased and asked the fans to look forward to their August comeback. Juyeon thanked fans and said, “Let’s cheer each other up and have happy lives together.”

Sunwoo (being Sunwoo) granted a fan’s request to look at her camera which he did — intensely stared at the fan —  in the middle of saying that he promises to come back to the Philippines with more energy. Leader Sangyeon pulled out from his bag more Filipino words that he learned and said, “Natutuwa akong makilala kayo. Nandito ako para makita ka. (I’m happy to have met you guys. I’m here because I want to see you all.)”

Kevin, while not new to the Filipino fans’ passion and enthusiasm, said, “It’s actually so amazing and I feel so blessed today. You guys, every time we come to the Philippines, you have unmatched energy and I can’t get enough of it. Thank you, guys, so, so much for making time for us tonight. I promise we’ll be back.” Eric also shared the same sentiment and said that he’s never heard someone be louder than him and that Filipino Deobis definitely beat him. 

THE BOYZ took the stage for one last time and sang Timeless. They then had their final group greeting and bows and exited the stage. For a final surprise, handwritten letters from the group were shown on the screen. It was words full of love and gratitude from THE BOYZ to their fans who are still with them from debut and throughout the “zenerations” to come.

The Seoul Story would like to thank DNM Entertainment for inviting us to the show! We hope to see THE BOYZ in Manila again soon. 🙂

Check out more photos from the concert here.

Written by: Zee
Photos by: Tricia

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