Stars aligned for EXO’s Chen and Filipino EXO-Ls as the K-pop idol got to spread joy through his “Beyond the Door” Asia fan concert on Nov. 23 at the New Frontier Theater.
On that Saturday night, the intimate venue seemingly turned into a world that only revolved around Chen and his fans whom he fondly calls “Soondingie,” meaning the gentle ones.
“I’m not the person who lights up on stage, but a person who receives the light that you send to me for me to shine brighter,” he expressed sincerely during the fancon.
When Chen began performing Empty, it was as if the door leading toward him magically opened, giving the fans a sense of awe in his live, sentimental vocals.
Before going on with his discography, the South Korean artist even asked the audience these lovely requests: “Don’t mind other people and sing as much as you can. Don’t look anywhere else but me.”
Soondingies’ eyes were all on their beloved singer, as they immersed themselves in Chen’s performances of Dandelion, Remember, I Don’t Even Mind and PLAYLIST (featuring HAON BE’O), all co-written by him.
“You are the same since the last time we met — passionate, powerful, beautiful and cute,” said Chen, who visited the country in December 2022 for an advocacy concert.
While he complimented the fans on being adorable, his endearing side was also the highlight of the two-hour show.
Upon learning that EXO-Ls loved seeing him wearing costumes, Chen incorporated a “Chen-llenge” segment in his fancon, wherein he had to guess the lyrics and wear a congratulatory or penalty item.
Cheers and laughter filled the venue as fans witnessed him willingly yet shyly don costumes inspired by Harry Potter, Cardcaptor Sakura, and even a fairy and a fries.
With Manila being the final stop of his first-ever solo tour, Filipino EXO-Ls — mostly clad in yellow and white outfits — welcomed Chen to “a home beyond the door” through their several fan projects.
During Chen’s Starlight performance, a starry field of dandelion flowers with fairy lights illuminated the theater.
“I can really see how much you care for me and love me. That’s why it seems like this show is heartwarming for me,” he remarked.
Fans then poured their hearts out into singing an a capella version of Everytime, an OST by Chen and fellow singer Punch for the 2016 K-drama “Descendants of the Sun.”
“Grabe, kahit wala ako rito sa stage, nag-e-enjoy kayo! Kaya n’yo mag-enjoy nang ganito na wala ako rito? I cannot lose! Play that again!” Chen jokingly said through an interpreter when he returned on stage for his encore.
After seeing such efforts, including a door hand banner with the message “You fill our days with brightness, our sunshine Jongdae!” and a fanmade video detailing how Filipino EXO-Ls drew strength from his music and existence, Chen, whose real name is Kim Jong-dae, couldn’t be grateful to wrap up his tour in Manila.
He emphasized, “You guys are really the best for being the last stop of ‘Beyond the Door’ tour. It’s also touching hearing that message, that you can overcome your hardships with my songs.”
Before bidding his beautiful goodbye, he promised to meet Filipino EXO-Ls again, with fans assuring him that their doors would be left open for him to return soon.
“I will never forget all of the love and messages I received throughout this tour so let’s be together happily for a long time. I promise here in Manila, I will come back.”