[PHILIPPINES] Xiumin’s <X Times ()> in Manila: In Search of ‘Who is X?’

EXO’s Kim Minseok—better known as Xiumin—brought joy, charm, and infectious energy to Filipino EXO-Ls as he finally held his much-anticipated solo fancon, <X Times ()>, in Manila. On May 10, 2025, at the New Frontier Theater, fans gathered for an unforgettable night as the idol unraveled the mystery behind “X” through playful segments, heartfelt moments, and explosive performances.

It was a meaningful return for Xiumin, who last visited the Philippines in September 2024 for the Korea Travel Fiesta. This time, he came back on his own as a solo artist, marking his first solo fan event in the country. “It’s my first time coming back here as a solo artist. Are you guys happy to be here? Mahal ko kayo!” he said with a beaming smile, opening the show with his mellow track Daisy.

From the get-go, the atmosphere was buzzing with love and excitement. When asked how it felt to be back, Xiumin responded, “It’s just the beginning, I think.” He even teased fans by saying, “Why not look forward to it like annually or every year?”—a line that was met with chants of “Yes!” and “Bring the other members with you!”

Who is X? Uncovering the Clues

The fancon revolved around the concept of uncovering the identity of “X,” with the main segment titled Hot IXXUE—a clever play on the word “issue.” Each “ixxue” revealed a fun fact or story from Xiumin’s career and personal life:

• First IXXUE: “X is the master of ( )” – While fans shouted out guesses like “aegyo” and “sexy,” Xiumin revealed that he’s actually a master of cleaning. Demonstrating his vacuum-cleaner sound effects and detailed cleaning routine, he left fans amused and impressed.
  
• Second IXXUE: “X, who sang ( ), passed a massive audition with odds of 90,326 to 1” – He reminisced about his trainee days and surprised fans by singing his audition piece, Footsteps.
  
• Third IXXUE: “X came back across 400 years” – Dressed in hanbok, he revisited his character Heo Gyun from the fantasy rom-com Heo’s Diner, recalling the year-long wait for the show’s release and the tough filming process.
  
• Fourth IXXUE: “X was selected as a model for a ( ) commercial” – Cue the viral Chicken Banana dance. Fully committing to the quirky trend, Xiumin danced with playful energy, even performing it multiple times throughout the night—including with host Kyungmin Kim and after a mini-game win.
  
• Fifth IXXUE: “X’s wishes come true after stacking ( )” – Channeling tradition, Xiumin attempted to stack ten stones in ten seconds. On his second try, he succeeded, earning cheers and laughter from the crowd.
  

Bright, Playful, and Endearing

What made <X Times ()> shine was not just Xiumin’s music but his playful spirit and genuine connection with the fans. From coining the phrase “PoXiu” (a combination of “Pogi” + “Xiumin”) to sharing his TMI of eating Jollibee (“The hamburger was small, but the spaghetti and fries were 10/10”), his energy was both goofy and endearing.

At one point, as the crowd chanted for him to take off his jacket, he did so with a grin—only to cheekily calm them down with his “Whee!” gesture. When fans asked him to remove his shirt, he playfully asked his abs, “Are you okay?” then replied, “It’s not ready yet. Next time, I’ll really prepare it.”

Throughout the concert, he performed fan favorites like Feedback, Can’t Help Myself, Lost Paradise, and Brand New. Even mid-tempo songs like Serenity were accompanied by graceful moves and strong vocals. Toward the end, fans requested classics like EXO’s Love Shot and Cream Soda—which he gladly danced to, despite momentarily forgetting some choreography.

In between costume changes and set transitions, Xiumin’s comedic acting was showcased through pre-recorded skits, where he played various roles, including a curious reporter searching for the elusive “X.” These added charm and cohesion to the storytelling theme of the night.

A Promise to Return

Before his final song, Xiumin took a moment to thank everyone and promised he’d be back. Fans echoed their hope to see him again—this time with the rest of EXO. As the night drew to a close with group photos and heartfelt goodbyes, <X Times ()> ended not with sadness, but with excitement for what’s ahead.

From his dynamic performances to his hilarious antics and genuine warmth, Xiumin proved that X stands for everything fans love about him—charm, humor, talent, and heart. And if this night in Manila was anything to go by, we’ll be more than ready to welcome him back soon.

Special thanks to Pulp Live World for making this unforgettable night possible!

Written By: Andrei

Photos By: PULP Live World and INB100

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