1 month ago
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The Mall of Asia Arena was bathed in blue on October 12, as ZeroBaseOne (ZB1) took the stage for their first solo show in the Philippines, Timeless World.
Presented by Pulp Live World, here are nine moments that made the night truly unforgettable:
1. Finally, A Full Line-Up
ZB1’s first visit to the Philippines was for the 2023 Asia Artist Awards in Bulacan, but there was a glaring absence—Ricky, who missed the event due to visa issues. This time, the “young and rich, tall and handsome” member finally took the stage with the group. “I was really sad that I couldn’t be here last time,” Ricky shared. “So finally, I’m so excited.”
2. Into the Portal
The concert opened with a stunning three-minute audiovisual sequence that culminated with the appearance of a portal. The sound design was so immersive that the arena vibrated, drawing the audience in as if we were being transported to another dimension—or perhaps as though ZB1 had come to Earth from theirs. Everyone was in a world where earthly problems were no concern for the next three hours.
3. A Nod to Boys Planet
The group paid tribute to their roots with performances of songs from Boys Planet, the reality show that brought ZB1 together. Mid-show, they rolled out tracks like “En Garde,” “Say My Name,” “Hot Summer,” and the signal song “Here I Am.” Gunwook reflected, “Our chemistry has improved, so our performances have improved.”
4. Solo and Unit Stages
Zhang Hao’s solo stage for “Always” was a standout moment. The top-ranked Boys Planet trainee later admitted on social media that the fans’ chants of his name were so loud, he could hear them through his in-ears, and that he deliberately exited the slowly just to take it all in.
Then came the unit stages. Jiwoong, Matthew, Ricky, and Gunwook turned up the heat with the sultry, body-roll-heavy “Over Me,” sending fans into overdrive when Matthew flashed some skin. Meanwhile, Hanbin, Taerae, Gyuvin, and Yujin opted for a more playful vibe with “Switch.”
5. “Good So Bad” on Repeat
As the night seemed to be winding down, the group performed “Good So Bad”—except the Filipino Zeroses weren’t ready to let it go. The crowd chanted “isa pa” (“one more time”) relentlessly, leading the boys to repeat the final chorus five times over. Even the group seemed stunned by the energy. Hanbin, ever the leader, reeled things back in to move the show along.
6. A Diverse Setlist
From the upbeat bops “Feel the Pop” and “Yura Yura” to heartfelt ballads like “Good Night” and “Hello,” and sleek dance tracks such as “Kill the Romeo” and “Crush,” the concert’s setlist highlighted ZB1’s versatility. Each performance offered something different, showcasing the group’s expansive range and keeping the audience locked in from start to finish.
7. Thoughtful Fan Projects
Zerose added their special touch to the concert. With rose banners and lightsticks in their hands, they serenaded the group with “Our Season” during the encore break. Flower petal confetti showered the group on stage, a gesture Ricky appreciated. “I heard Zerose prepared this for us like a gift. It was so pretty, and it made us so happy during the performance. Thank you,” he said.
8. A Surprise Cover
ZB1 also had a gift for the fans—a surprise cover of the hit song “Dilaw” by Filipino artist Maki. Their pronunciation was impressive, showing how much effort they put into connecting with their fans. Hanbin, Zhang Hao, and Matthew even sang snippets of the song during their post-concert livestreams.
9. Manila’s Insane Energy
The crowd’s energy was relentless throughout the night. Matthew remarked “We were talking backstage, the energy here is amazing. We will come back” Gyuvin echoed his sentiment, saying, “I don’t wanna go home either. Thank you for making so much noise.” Even a 20-minute delay, caused by electrical issues, didn’t dampen spirits. Instead, fans turned to humor chanting “Extension! Extension!” while waiting for the show to resume.
As ZB1 wrapped up their Manila stop, they promised to return. With the group’s contract set to expire in January 2026, it feels like the clock is ticking. Yet, if this night in Manila was any indication, ZeroBaseOne’s time, however brief, will be nothing short of extraordinary.
Words: MAJ
Photo: Arielle Elep
English (US) · 