HORI7ON ever grateful as it concludes first concert in Manila

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 10) — HORI7ON endlessly thanked its fans as the all-Filipino global pop group successfully staged its first concert "Friend-SHIP: Voyage to Manila" at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.

Members Vinci, Kim, Kyler, Reyster, Winston, Jeromy, and Marcus said it was a "dream come true" to perform live at the Big Dome after months of rigorous training in South Korea since April.

"It's just been 47 days since our debut and we already have our first concert and it's packed with so much people who love us and support us," leader Vinci said.

"And you know, we really want to always, forever give thanks," he added.

Fans called ANCHORs witnessed the performances of the group's 21-track album "Friend-SHIP" during the concert, which was presented by DnM Entertainment, with HORI7ON finally performing on Philippine soil its debut track "SIX7EEN." [Link: HORI7ON talks about ‘setting sail’ with first album ‘Friend-SHIP’]

The septet, managed by Korean agency MLD Entertainment, first performed "SIX7EEN" during its debut showcase at the Olympic Hall in South Korea on July 24. They promoted the single in various music television programs in the East Asian country.

The boy group also treated fans with solo acts, starting with groovy performances of Winston's "Teum," Marcus' "Light Way," and Jeromy's "Bonnie & Clyde."

Vinci followed with "Ready to Burn," followed by Kim's feel-good "Like a Fiction," Kyler's "Silhouette," and ending with the rap track "Cost" by Reyster.

Special guests during the concert were pre-debut global boy group New:ID, whose members were fellow "Dream Maker" alums, members of South Korean-Japanese boy band TFN, and Haeun of K-pop girl group Lapillus, who joined Jeromy and Marcus on stage for "How You Feel."

HORI7ON also surprised the crowd with its own staging of K-pop hits "Sugar Rush Ride" by TOMORROW X TOGETHER, "S-Class" by Stray Kids, "Drunk-Dazed" by ENHYPHEN, and "Super" by SEVENTEEN.

And it didn't stop there as the group sang and danced to the hip-hop single "GENTO" by P-pop kings SB19.

The three-hour show also felt like a fan meeting of sorts as the boy band mounted a girl group dancing challenge, a dance battle, and a 2x speed version of its lead single.

The artists then changed to all-white ensembles to serenade their mothers with "Mama," and fans with "Salamat" — the only two Filipino songs in their album.

"Sa 'Mama' na kanta, sobrang gusto ko na sana umiyak talaga kaso di ko gusto na ipakita na umiiyak ako, nakakahiya," shared Kim, who hails from Bacolod City. "Kasi siya 'yong nag-push talaga sa akin sa pangarap ko. Kung di sa mama ko, wala na ako dito."

[Translation: While we were singing "Mama," I really wanted to cry but I don't want you all to see I'm crying, it's embarrassing. My mom pushed me to achieve this dream. If not for her, I won't be in HORI7ON.]

HORI7ON proceeded with "Odd Eye," "Hit Me," "Lovey Dovey," and "Take My Hand," before ending with an encore stage of "SIX7EEN" and "Dash."

"To be honest, when we were still in Korea, I was super worried for this concert...[but] I didn't expect for so many people to be here tonight so I'm super grateful," said Marcus, the group's "maknae" or youngest.

"Thank you guys so much for all the support," he added. "This is our first-ever concert. We’ll have many more to come hopefully."