EXO-SC shows ‘back to back’ sides to Filipino fans
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 23) — A multitude of fans in yellow and with their lightsticks on filled the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday night.
The crowd went wild as the light turned out at 6:11 pm. The screams and cheers became louder as EXO’s Sehun and Chanyeol opened the show with their hit “What a Life.”
After an energetic opening number, the two K-pop idols greeted over 10,000 cheering fans at the Big Dome.
“It’s been a long time since we last visited the Philippines. We really miss you a lot,” said Sehun, with the help of a translator. “I really look forward performing tonight and I'm expecting to have fun with you guys.”
Meanwhile, Chanyeol tried his best to speak Filipino.
“Magandang gabi! Nag-enjoy ba kayo? Kayo ang the best! Mahal kita!” he told the audience of mostly fangirls who all went wild.
[Translation: Good evening! Did you enjoy? You are the best! I love you!]
Sehun and Chanyeol, who comprise EXO’s subunit EXO-SC, were in Manila for their “Back to Back” fancon tour in Asia.
They have been active in the K-pop industry for more than a decade now.
In an industry which strives for a spotless image, and where every move is scrutinized, it’s rare to see idols showing their unfiltered persona to the public.
For a night, EXO-SC were not only K-pop idols on stage, they proved to be normal people who just want to have fun.
Rest day
An hour before the fancon, a press conference was held at the nearby mall where the duo gamely answered questions about their music, acting career, their thoughts on each other and even their rest day.
“We are no different than you and we have to also rest," Sehun said. "We just lay down in bed, watch TV, eat, and just do typical things that you do when you’re resting."
When not performing on stage, Sehun and Chanyeol dabble in modelling and acting.
Sehun is starring in the K-drama “All That We Loved,” while Chanyeol is the latest endorser for a popular clothing brand in the Philippines.
“When given free time to rest, I really like to go around," said Chanyeol. "I usually do exercises at the gym, or I go around while riding my bike, especially now that the weather in Korea is nice. Of course, I also rest at home.”
Games, rice cakes
At the Big Dome, EXO-SC showed their fans that they can be goofy and quirky just like everybody else.
A fan meeting is not complete without games, and challenges for the idols in between their performances, which enable the fans to get to know them better.
Sehun and Chanyeol’s friendship was tested as they aimed to break each other’s records in playing the relay games.
“No practice! Chanyeol, no practice!” Sehun told Chanyeol in a child-like manner before the second game began.
After winning two out of three games, Chanyeol displayed child-like competitiveness which the audience found cute.
Sehun and Chanyeol were also able to try Filipino rice cakes.
“Wow! Actually, I really like rice cakes,” Sehun said.
Chanyeol then asked fans where he could buy the delicacies.
“Can you buy me some for home? Where can I buy it?” he asked.
Chanyeol later showcased his guitar skills as he sang Yeng Constantino’s “Hawak Kamay” and Radiohead’s “Creep."
Sehun, for his part, made everyone scream when he danced to EXO’s hits like “Love Shot”, “Growl,” and “The Eve.”
In the last minutes of the show, the fans surprised their idols with a special music video of them covering the duo’s hit “1 Billion Views.”
“I never expected it. I was surprised because it made me realize how much you love us," a grateful Sehun told the crowd. "It’s really touching. Thank you!”
“Wow! I can’t imagine what you have done for us," added Chanyeol. "It was really surprising...It makes me feel so good that I don’t want to end this night.”
“I think I need to buy a house here in Manila,” he continued, leaving the audience giggling.
EXO-SC ended the concert with “We Young,” a song reminding everyone to have a carefree life and be themselves.
