K-pop fans from across Asia catch ‘Dream’ at Big Dome

Nearly nonstop , thousands of fans of six popular Korean pop groups cheered their hearts out during the recent three-hour “Dream Kpop Fantasy Concert 2” at the Big Dome.
Headlined by Super Junior-M, the Mandarin subgroup of the popular Super Junior (formed in 2005), the show boasted a lineup that included Block B, B.A.P, BTOB, A-Jax, and A-Prince. Each group performed, to hysterical screaming, an average of five songs.

The concert attracted K-pop fans of all genders, ages 12 to 40, from around the country and across Asia (groups of Koreans and Japanese had reportedly flown in). Many held up signs or waved light sticks as they chanted.

“Dream” was opened by finalists of the reality game show “Dream K-pop Filipino Champion,” immediately followed by the seven-member BTOB, whose set started with Jung Ilhoon’s solo DJ number. This segment continued with their hits, including “Wow,” “Insane” and “Thriller.” In his spiel, Shin Peniel said BTOB planned to hold a solo concert in the country later this year.

The next performers were A-Jax. In white-and-gold costumes, the boys performed their chart busters and renditions of SS501’s “Love Like This” and “Angels Brought Me Here.” They were joined onstage by label mate and special guest Han Seungyeon of KARA (she didn’t perform).

Warm response

Block B, in stylish black-and-white outfits, took the stage next, and rocked with “Nalina” and “Very Good.” The members remarked that they loved the cool weather and the warm fan response. The audience sang “Happy Birthday” to the youngest member, P.O. (Pyo Jihoon).

Next up was A-Prince, whose members sported matching red-dyed hairstyles. To the delight of Filipinos in the crowd, the group sang the Tagalog ditty “Nasa ’Yo na ang Lahat” and danced to “Otso-Otso.”

When B.A.P took the stage, it was absolute bedlam. The six leather-clad guys performed “Warrior,” No Mercy” and “One Shot.” They all seemed very happy to be in Manila, joking with the fans and repeatedly saying “Maraming salamat po” and “Mahal namin kayo.”

Next was main act Super Junior-M, looking hip outfitted in black, white and red. The boys performed “Go,” “Goodbye My Love” and “Breakdown.” Donghae and Eunhyuk performed “Oppa, Oppa” together, then Zhou Mi went solo for “A Distant Embrace.”

Anticlimactic

The artists certainly made a lot of effort to connect with Filipino fans by learning familiar words and phrases. “Mahal ko kayo” was the evening’s favorite. Disappointingly, though, the concert did not have a proper, clear ending.

Although the fans’ energy seemed to wane halfway through the performances, they seemed happy enough that the artists made it a point to interact with them, and repeatedly request for continued love and support.

After the show, concert-goers lingered outside the venue, engaged in conversations that sounded like a mix of delirious joy and bittersweet longing. As a “Dream” tends to be.