EXO’s Kai feels the love in Manila
With an aura filled with intensity and passion, Kai of the popular K-pop boy group EXO created summer feels on stage during his “KAION” concert last July 27 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Korean idol, known for his captivating dance moves and charisma, knew exactly how to drive his Filipino fans wild, commanding the stage with his suave demeanor from the moment his explosive opening salvo began.
All eyes were on Kai, who donned a full-on red, shimmering outfit as he performed Sinner, a heart-thumping prelude to the sultry stage of his solo debut song, Mmmh.
“What’s up, Manila?! Hello po! I’m Kai. Nice to meet you, guys!” Kai said after singing Nothing On Me on the extended platform.
With a few Filipino words he learned, he also conveyed, “Masaya ako.”
“I’m very happy to perform (here) because it’s a very significant stage. It’s my very first solo concert,” he added through the help of an interpreter.
Filipino EXO-Ls, in turn, showed their great anticipation of Kai’s comeback in the Philippines after selling out his Manila show, presented by concert promoter PULP Live World.
“EXO-Ls, did you, guys, miss me? Because I really missed all of you. I’m very happy that finally, we’re here again together,” Kai remarked, noting that he had last seen his beloved Filo supporters at EXO’s concert in 2019.
Five years of waiting proved not a wasted time for EXO-Ls, as they welcomed him with reverberating cheers and well-crafted fan projects.
One that stood out the most was the “Field of Peaches,” wherein they illuminated artificial flowers during Kai’s EXO medley performances of My Lady, Baby Don’t Cry and Angel.
“Are you, guys, proposing to me?” he quipped. “Manila’s energy is just really, really hot. Your screams and cheers are just really amazing. It’s making me a lot (more) energetic and hot in here.”
Drenched in sweat, the 31-year-old Korean artist took the heat index to a higher level as he grooved, in his sexiest way, to his hit songs Vanilla, Peaches and Adult Swim.
The hot atmosphere even prompted Kai, for the very first time in his solo tour, to not wear his suit that was supposed to complete his outfit for the live stage of his latest title track Wait On Me up to his waterbomb-like performance of Bomba.
In his final set before the encore, Kai made it hard for EXO-Ls to concentrate as he returned on stage with an unbuttoned black jacket to perform some of his all-time favorite solo songs like Reason and Rover.
“Every time I do concerts, I can never feel this kind of happiness, energy that my (regular) days could give. Every time that I receive this kind of great love, it always makes me think, how am I supposed to pay the love and the energy to all of you?” Kai shared.
“Next time I’m back in Manila, I really wanna do like a Day 2 or Day 3 show.”
His appreciation for Filo EXO-Ls went on, pointing out their diligence to put on his desired dress code of black and silver with a yellow bandana.
“Seeing you wear a lot of beautiful outfits, (it’s touching), and it really gives me enthusiasm to do better on stage,” he stated.
The EXO main dancer, who also marked his 13th year in the industry, couldn’t be grateful enough for the consistent support of his fans, be it in his group activities or his solo career, which he launched in 2020.
Because for Filo EXO-Ls, “Kai is always worth the wait,” a striking message that he read from the bear-shaped hand banners.
“Thank you so much for preparing a lot of fan events for me. I will never beat your love. Next time, I will prepare more. Today, I lost,” Kai playfully uttered.
“Just like ‘KAION’ itself, the name, how it means eternally to be together, thank you. Thank you so much for waiting for me. I had such wonderful and happy times spent with my Manila EXO-Ls,” he added.
Before officially closing his show with To Be Honest, Kai made a promise of forever with EXO-Ls, even teasing EXO’s long-awaited return to the country.
“Next time we see one another, it could be Kai’s concert or EXO’s concert. I don’t know which one will come first, but promise me, we will see one another again, right? Promise? OK!” he said.
“I felt all your love amazingly in this show. I really wanna hug all of you because I was so happy tonight. Saranghae (I love you)!” he adorably said, gesturing a hug as the stage closed.
After a successful concert in Manila, Kai will bring “KAION” to Bangkok, Thailand, on Aug. 2 and wrap up his tour in Seoul in September.
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