[FANCON RECAP] In Full Bloom: Doh Kyungsoo Makes Philippine History with Bloom In Manila

1 month ago 19

In a highly anticipated event, Doh Kyungsoo made a triumphant return to the Philippine stage with his 2024 DOH KYUNGSOO Asian Tour: BLOOM.

Presented by Wilbros Live, Kyungsoo’s fancon at Smart Araneta Coliseum on August 31, 2024, saw overwhelming demand, leading to the addition of a second day on September 1, 2024.

Saving the best for last, Manila was the final stop before concluding his Asian tour, and in a groundbreaking achievement, Kyungsoo made Philippine history as the first Korean act to hold a sold-out two-day fan concert. His return after a six-year hiatus from the Philippine stage was met with fervor and excitement, solidifying his place as a global superstar.

The enthusiasm of Philippine EXO-Ls and Dandanies was nothing short of electrifying, as they matched Doh Kyungsoo’s energy with passion and commitment. Fans delighted in requesting their favorite songs and cheering him on with elaborate fan projects, earning praise and commendation from Kyungsoo himself.

Here are the highlights from the two-day fancon that truly left an unforgettable mark.

Meeting Kyungsoo

Kyungsoo opened the fancon with his title track “Mars” from his latest mini-album *BLOSSOM*, immediately showcasing his singing prowess. Fans were treated to an extra surprise when he revealed a new haircut, sharing that Manila was the first to see it. He teased fans by revealing that the new look was for an upcoming role where he would be playing a “very bad villain”—his first antagonist role after being frequently cast as the protagonist.

Before the “Kyungsoo In Bloom” segment, he explained that “Bloom” was chosen as the fancon’s title because of his recent album *BLOSSOM*. He wanted a word that reflected both him and his fans flourishing together, symbolizing a shared journey where they could grow and bloom side by side.

During the “Kyungsoo In Bloom” segment, Kyungsoo opened up about some personal favorites, indulging fans’ curiosity. As a known culinary enthusiast and licensed chef, he participated in the “Food Balance Game,” comparing two types of food. Not surprisingly, ramyun emerged as his top favorite dish, cementing his love for it.

Another exciting segment, “To DO List,” highlighted Kyungsoo’s vocal versatility as he performed a variety of songs. To the delight of Filipino fans, he performed the hit “Hawak Kamay” by Yeng Constantino, alongside his songs like “Wonder” from his second album *Expectation*, “Rose” from his first album, and the fan-favorite “Goodbye Summer,” his collaboration with f(x). He also performed his recent chart-topping collaboration, “Small Girl” with Youngji.

After these interactive segments, Kyungsoo transitioned into the concert portion of the fancon, performing songs from his extensive discography. A standout moment occurred when he sang “Good Night” and “About Time.” Known for the lively energy of Filipino crowds, who often sing along like it’s a karaoke session, this time the audience fell silent to let Kyungsoo’s voice take center stage. It was a rare but powerful moment, as the crowd allowed him to express the gravity and emotion of the songs fully. His heart and passion were palpable as he sang, rarely opening his eyes, especially during “About Time,” a song he said contains his favorite lyrics about regret and realization after loss.

I think we can all agree that DOH KYUNG SOO is literally one of the best singers who has ever graced the Philippine and global stage.

This is just DAY 1 of two sold-out fancon for BLOOM.#DOHKYUNGSOO #InFullBLOOMPH #BLOOMInManila #FANCONCERT_BLOOM

Presented by @WilbrosLive pic.twitter.com/elBUHMsZWQ

— hellokpop (@hellokpop) August 31, 2024

Official Concert Setlist:

Mars

Simple Joys

That’s Okay

I Do

My Dear

Rose

Ordinary Days

Good Night

About Time

Somebody

Popcorn

As he continued to banter and take song requests from the audience, fans made sure they had their moment to shine as well. During the encore break on the second day, they sang “Rose” (English version) in unison, lighting up the venue with red roses and fairy lights. Kyungsoo, visibly impressed, asked, “How are you guys so good at singing?” Known for being particular about fan chants and sometimes playfully scolding fans who don’t follow them, Kyungsoo was thoroughly pleased with the Filipino crowd, repeatedly expressing how satisfied and happy he was with their enthusiasm.

“If we meet too many times I hope it’s no different.”

We made many memories with Kyungsoo during his 2-day BLOOM in Manila fan concert🌸#BLOOM_in_MANILA #FANCONCERT_BLOOM #도경수 #DOHKYUNGSOO #컴퍼니수수 #CompanySoosoo #EXO #DOHKYUNGSOOatTheBigDome #WilbrosLive @WilbrosLive pic.twitter.com/T9p7ekZmcm

— SmartAranetaColiseum (@TheBigDome) September 4, 2024

The fancon concluded with tremendous success, leaving fans elated as Kyungsoo promised to return with new music that would make everyone jump and get lively. His words give hope for future music releases, along with the drama he teased during the event.

Kyungsoo’s deep connection with his Filipino fans dates back to EXO’s first visit in 2013, when they were still rookies. Since then, EXO returned regularly from 2016 to 2018, with his last appearance in the country being at the MBC Show Champion in Manila. The overwhelming response to his two-day sold-out fancon is a testament to how much he has been missed by Filipino fans.

As we eagerly anticipate more music and drama from Kyungsoo, both as a solo artist and actor, fans are also holding onto the hope that they’ll soon see EXO reunited on stage, putting an end to the “EXO Tingi Era” and marking a new chapter for the group and their dedicated fans.