MANILA — The last time BTOB played Manila, back in 2017, it was for the Super Pop Con, where they performed with other K-pop acts at the Mall of Asia Arena. Seven years later, the group made a triumphant return to the same venue, seizing the stage for themselves to treat fans to an evening of melodic delights and infectious laughter.

BTOB could not have chosen a more fitting song to kick off the recent Manila leg of their “Our Dream” fan concert tour than the heartfelt midtempo ballad “The Song.” It was, after all, the single that was released for the team’s first comeback as a full group of six in 2022, marking the end of the members’ mandatory military service.

This time, “The Song” heralded the end of another long wait for the group’s Filipino fans, called Melody, who were finally reunited with Eunkwang, Minhyuk, Changsub, Hyunsik and Peniel. Notably, Sungjae was absent from the event because of other commitments.

BTOB has always been recognized for its members’ vocal excellence. That much was immediately apparent in “The Song.” But it was also clear from the get-go that the boys were well-rounded idols, seamlessly pulling off equally sharp and fluid dance moves and intricate formation changes while neatly singing.

The sentimental mood dissipated the moment BTOB delivered their opening remarks. The boys quickly showed how prepared they were for the local fans, dishing out the many Tagalog phrases they learned such as “Hay nako!”, “Sobrang na-miss ko kayo,” and “Melody kay ganda.”

“It’s been seven years since we came back to the Philippines,” Changsub said. “Thank you so much for waiting for us, Philippine Melody.”

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The Manila show, presented by Ovation Productions, was the tour’s first stop outside of Seoul. And BTOB made sure to rework the setlist, delivering some of their early hits like “Pray (I’ll Be Your Man)” and “Beautiful Pain,” as well as newer offerings such as “Wind And Wish” and the funk-infused “Day&Night.”

The performances also served as an exchange of energy between the artists and their fans. As BTOB sang and danced, the audience loudly recited the fan chants and sang along. 

Perhaps one of the most cathartic moments of the evening was during “Missing You,” as BTOB invited Filipino Melody to join them in singing the last chorus, blending their voices into one and resonating throughout the arena.

The fan concert also showcased BTOB's reputation for fun and silly personalities, with their playful nature shining through during the event, which lasted just over two hours. The members were unabashedly playful, indulging in light-hearted banter and poking fun at each other.

One recurring joke throughout the night was Eunkwang’s popular phrase “Give up!”, which he mistakenly told a fan during a livestream when he actually meant to say “Cheer up.” He also kept making fun of his own English skills and, at one point, mimicked the face of a gorilla.

Eunkwang also delighted the Filipino crowd when he sang the opening verse to P-pop sensation SB19’s “Mapa,” which he described as among his favorite songs.

As the night drew to a close, BTOB watched a montage of fans from across the Philippines expressing their love for the group. “After watching the video you guys prepared, I thought I have to give back the love that I received,” Hyunsik said.

“I was actually very worried. I really didn’t expect this much Melody to come tonight so thank you very much to all of you,” Hyunsik added.

Peniel hoped the group could return soon. “We will try to come sooner than another seven-year term. Maybe one more time this year, maybe next year. Hopefully, we’ll be able to see you guys again,” he said.

“I will never forget today’s memory forever,” Eunkwang said.

For more news and features on K-pop, K-drama, and K-stars, visit the Hallyu Corner microsite.

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