How VIXX brought utopia to Manila

Utopia is defined as “an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.” Last Saturday, six Korean boys turned this fantasy state into reality as they owned the MoA Arena stage with their lovable antics and perfectly synchronized dance moves. N, Ravi, Leo, Ken, Hongbin, and Hyuk, collectively known as VIXX (Voice, Visual, Value in Excelsis),  may be relatively new to the vibrant K-Pop scene, but as early as now they have managed to capture the hearts of many and make the world brighter with the fans they lovingly call “Starlights.”

Photo by AJT Santos/INQUIRER.net.

With their ongoing tour entitled Live Fantasia – Utopia, they present to the world an experience quite like nothing else. Below, we recount the many ways in which the 6-piece group brought sweet utopia to Manila.

Photo by AJT Santos/INQUIRER.net.

Stellar performances

“Are you ready to party with us tonight?!”

In true K-pop fashion, the group started their set with an explosion of sound and sights paired with matching sparkly outfits. With their first song, “On and On,” they raised the energy in the arena to a level so high that by the time their second song, “Voodoo Doll,” rolled around, some fans claimed that they were already hoarse from screaming.

Photo by Clarisse Esmile/INQUIRER.net.

True to their word of partying with the crowd, they continued their set with hits that had the crowd waving their lightsticks and screaming all night long including “Rock Ur Body,” “Secret Night,” and “Hyde.” Up until the end, the crowd was jumping up and down to “Love Equation,” “My Girl From Today,” and “G.R.8.U” before the boys disappeared in a cloud of confetti.

Consistent fan interaction

Even though not everyone was privileged enough to experience a hi-touch session with them, the boys didn’t leave anyone out by allowing for an open press conference at SM City Fairview the day before the concert and constantly thanking the Filipino Starlights throughout the entire show. In fact, before the group started on “Love Letter,” group leader N gave out a sweet love letter to the crowd: “Please always be the shining lights next to us.”

Photo by Clarisse Esmile/INQUIRER.net.

As if their inherent cuteness wasn’t enough, the group further endeared themselves to the crowd by introducing themselves in Tagalog. Following a string of “Ako po si ___” is an adorable “Mahal ko kayo!” from Ken and a short anecdote on how fond they are of Filipino fruits —  or “frutas,” as they called it.

Photo by Clarisse Esmile/INQUIRER.net.

The group also held a contest amongst themselves to see who can freestyle the best. This involved N chair-dancing, Hyuk shaking his thing to “Bang Bang,” and Leo strutting to “Uptown Funk.”

Solo performances

Even though fans came to see VIXX as a whole, everyone was still able to fully bask in their bias’s awesomeness through the boys’ solo spots.

Photo by Clarisse Esmile/INQUIRER.net.

Photo by Clarisse Esmile/INQUIRER.net.

Photo by Clarisse Esmile/INQUIRER.net.

Photo by Clarisse Esmile/INQUIRER.net.

Photo by Clarisse Esmile/INQUIRER.net.

Astounding visuals

Photo by AJT Santos/INQUIRER.net.

Every song performed that night was complemented with a visual that smoothly tied in with whatever song is being performed. Whether it’s a short story at the beginning of “Error” or gold streamers suddenly falling from above as Leo hit the high note in “Eternity,” every number in the set never failed to dazzle and excite the crowd. Such was the creativity of these visuals that even a soft “Wow!” was heard from a parent who was mainly there to accompany her daughter.

Instagram photo from @jazzrian95

What made Starlights go wildest was the grayscale VCR of the boys showing the different human emotions which ended in N kissing Hyuk on the cheek and Leo blocking Ravi’s smack on his lip with a piece of fabric.

Dynamite costumes

From red suits to sparkling gold coats to comfy gray sweaters, these boys delighted us with a wide range of attire that were so on point, they could hold their own concerts.

Photo by Clarisse Esmile/INQUIRER.net.

Photo by Clarisse Esmile/INQUIRER.net.

Instagram photo from @gemaholic

Photo by Clarisse Esmile/INQUIRER.net.

As young as they are as a group, the boys of VIXX have already mastered the art of being A+ K-Pop idols by knowing exactly how to tickle everyone’s fancy. Something tells us that there are greater things ahead of this boy group as proven by the skillfulness in which they took Starlights on a euphoric ride around a utopic world they have concocted and even gained some new ones along the way.