“Philippines is the best!” – Doh Kyungsoo
When the platform rose and the lights lit up, there he was – the star of EXO-Ls and Dandanies, once hidden, now shining brighter than ever. Doh Kyungsoo, also known as D.O. of the legendary K-pop group EXO, a critically acclaimed actor, and now a shining soloist, held his very first solo concert in Manila last Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, presented by Wilbros Live.
Source: Wilbros Live (@WilbrosLive) on X
Bringing his “DO It!” Asia Tour to Manila, Doh Kyungsoo opened the night with “Do You Remember” from his first full album, BLISS, followed by “Nobody Knows It,” “Wonder,” and “Mars.” Accompanied by “DOHper band”, the live band, his setlist consists of a wide variety of genres with some songs from his first full solo album BLISS to earlier mini-albums “Empathy”, “Expectation”, and “Blossom”.
From “Do You Remember” to “Rose”, the concert featured a carefully curated setlist that ran for about 2 hours, which matched the unwavering energy of his fans. He commended the fans’ energy by saying, “I truly feel that you are happy/having fun. Philippines is the best!”
He also performed “Where You Were,” “Simple Joys,” “Fit,” “I’m Gonna Love You,” “Popcorn,” “5 Minutes,” “SING ALONG!,” “It’s Love,” “My Dear,” “I Do,” “That’s Okay,” “I’ll Be There,” “Draw My Path,” “In Another Life,” and “Somebody.” These tracks showcased his impeccable vocals – once again proving why he’s regarded as the “Final Boss of Vocal Tone” in K-pop.
A special medley of EXO hits brought fans to their feet as they sang along to “Don’t Go,” “The First Snow,” “Growl,” “Love Me Right,” and “Peter Pan.” Kyungsoo joined in during the sing-along, creating an unforgettable moment of connection. The entire arena echoed in harmony, turning the performance into a nostalgic journey for longtime EXO-Ls.
Before the concert began, heavy rain poured over the area, prompting Kyungsoo to send a message via the ‘Bubble’ app, urging fans to be careful. He later mentioned during one of his ments that he had worried fans could still come, “I was worried that if the heavy rains continued, would the fans come? But how’s the weather now? It’s so nice! So happy!” he said. Of course, nothing could stop them from braving the weather to witness his first solo stage in the country.
The moment Doh Kyungsoo stepped on stage, time seemed to stand still for fans who had waited since his EXO debut in 2012. The crowd roared in excitement with lightsticks waving, event banners raised, and years of devotion carried into the arena. Some brought along their “Zzirang-e and Charles” dolls (his official merchandise), many dressed in white to match the stop’s dress code, while others simply carried their hearts.
Reflecting his wide-ranging talent, the crowd was beautifully diverse–spanning different age groups and with even a notable number of male fans present, something Kyungsoo highlighted during one of his ments: “This is the first time this has happened. This is my first time seeing this many male fans at my concert.” (See post)
“Cheom geunalcheoreom… POP!” (IYKYK 😉) — Of course, no recap would be complete without mentioning Kyungsoo’s funny moments from his fan interactions. The night wouldn’t have been complete without witnessing Doh Kyungsoo’s ‘almokyung’ (quirky/unpredictable) humor. Known among fans as the fanchant and fan song police, he showed his playful side when Filipino fans teased him by intentionally messing up the ‘Popcorn’ chant and cheekily ignoring his instructions. It sparked a hilarious and memorable exchange that quickly became an inside joke between him and the Filipino crowd.
Filipino EXO-Ls and Dandanies went all out, transforming his Manila stop into a full-blown celebration of fandom culture. Beyond the cheers inside the arena, the support spilled the area through lamp post banners, LED ads, along with fan supports/freebies like fan-made “song hits,” DIY crafts like ribbons, buttons, notepads, keyrings, etc. Fans also handed out freebies such as photocards, customized stickers, and snacks, while volunteer-run fan events during the concert, like a sea of cyber shades, hand banners, and LED letter banners with “We can DOH it all with KYUNGSOO” messaging, kept the excitement alive.
FANSUPPORTS IMAGES: Photo from GMA Network (Zamae Mangubat)One of the most touching moments came just before the encore: a surprise video filled with photos and videos of support for his projects from fans across the country.
As the lights dimmed and the arena gradually emptied, the evening’s resonance lingered. Fans carried home the memory of Kyungsoo: his breathtaking vocals, his endearing smile, and the shining charm that made the night feel so personal.
Like a rough diamond finally polished, Doh Kyungsoo shone with clarity and brilliance – fully stepping into his light as a solo artist.
As fan event organizers so fittingly put it: the whole concert is “SOO-makses!”
