MANILA, Philippines — One of the reasons why I am a K-pop fan today is because I grew up listening to songs by a girl group called 2NE1. I remember my 10-year-old self hearing their debut song “FIRE” and “I DON’T CARE” all around — from the radio to TV with romanized Korean lyrics shown on screen.
It was also 2NE1 that got me back in love with K-pop, after a short break, when the group made a surprise appearance at the 2015 MAMA Awards. It was also one of their final performances before they disbanded in 2016.
When YG Entertainment made an announcement months ago that 2NE1 was officially reuniting through the WELCOME BACK tour, I got excited to the point of replaying 2NE1 songs all day. Later, when I saw clips from their October concert in Seoul, I knew I had to be at their Manila stop.
2NE1 brought the WELCOME BACK tour to Manila on November 16 and 17 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena, with both shows selling out as soon as tickets went on sale.
The concert marked the return of the four-member group, consisting of CL, Minzy, Park Bom, and Sandara “Dara” Park, to the Philippines after over a decade. Their last Manila show was the All or Nothing concert in May 2014, at the same venue.
As I made my way to my seat on Day 1, I was stunned at how an arena could be packed from front to back with fans, young and old, seeking to reunite with the group that they grew up with. The MOA crowd was already loud even before the show began as they sang and chanted their hearts out while old music videos of 2NE1 songs were flashed on the screen.
The screams of Filipino BLACKJACKs grew louder as the volume went up at the final chorus of the music video of “I AM THE BEST” to start the show.
The members entered as silhouettes in a red background and reintroduced themselves to the Manila crowd through their first song “FIRE” as fireworks erupted onstage.
2NE1 members and BLACKJACKs kept up the energy with “Clap Your Hands” and “Can’t Nobody.” Even with the first few songs, I felt that this show was different from other concerts that I had gone to as people were already jumping to the point that I felt like the arena was shaking.
Love for sick Park Bom
As the WELCOME BACK show went on, 2NE1 continued their performances of their greatest hits with “Do You Love Me,” “Falling In Love,” and “I Don’t Care” which got the crowd clapping from their seats.
However, during “Falling In Love,” CL cut the track and asked the crowd to sing along “as loud and soulful” as possible to the next few songs as Bom had a supposed wardrobe malfunction.
This also led Bom to miss the slower part of the show as the rest of the 2NE1 members sang their emotional ballads “Missing You,” “It Hurts,” “If I Were You” and “Lonely.”
Filipino BLACKJACKs, including myself, got worried for Bom and chanted her name in between songs while she was absent. The crowd would later give deafening cheers for her as she returned for the latter part of the concert as 2NE1 sang “I Love You,” “Ugly,” “Gotta Be You,” “Come Back Home,” “I Am The Best,” and “Go Away”
As 2NE1 was about to speak to the crowd after “Gotta Be You,” Bom took the chance to thank Filipino BLACKJACKs with a bow. “Mahal kita (I love you), everybody. I feel great tonight, I hope you guys have a great time,” she said.
However, Bom would not be able to complete the two-night show as she had to sit out after the first two songs on Day 2. CL, as 2NE1’s leader, would later share that Bom “was not feeling well” since Day 1 of the concert.
“We gotta send a lot of love and give it up for her. I wanna put everyone’s health first before anything. I hope you understand and you know her heart and her blessed energy is here with us,” she said.
YG Entertainment would also later address Bom’s situation in an Instagram story on November 17 through concert promoter Live Nation Philippines, saying that “despite receiving emergency medical attention on-site, her condition did not improve.”
Return to Dara’s ‘second home’
It was not only Filipino BLACKJACKs who were excited to see their favorite girl group reunited in the Philippines. It was also a special night for Dara as she finally returned to her “second home” with her 2NE1 sisters, saying it’s a different feeling when she comes to Manila with them.
“Do you remember, we celebrated our fifth year anniversary right here in MOA Arena 10 years ago. We’re happy to be back here on our 15th year anniversary. I feel so emotional and the Philippines is my second home. But it’s not only me, but it’s 2NE1’s second home too, right?” she said.
Dara also told BLACKJACKs: “Kaya marami maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. Salamat sa paghintay ‘nyo sa amin. Ang tagal namin ‘di ba? Ten years pero nandito pa rin kayo…. Talagang namiss namin kayo.”
(So thank you so so much to all of you. Thank you for waiting for us. We took a long time, right? Ten year, but you are still here…. We really missed you.)
Before becoming a member of 2NE1, Dara was part of Philippine showbiz initially through the TV talent search show Star Circle Quest in 2004. Her success and popularity in the Philippines drew the attention of South Korean broadcaster KBS which featured her in its Screening Humanity documentary series, which made her well-known in her home country.
Even after debuting and finding global success as a K-pop idol, she would still return to ther second home for special appearances and filming content.
Filipino celebrities, including Dara’s friends, such as Pinoy Boyband Superstar co-judge Vice Ganda, Chie Filomeno, and Star Circle Quest co-alumni Joross Gamboa attended the two-day show.
Aside from this, the WELCOME BACK shows in Manila had a special Filipino touch as 2NE1 performed a group cover of Dara’s hit Filipino song “In or Out.”
Dara and Minzy also danced to BINI’s “Pantropiko” to the delight of BLACKJACKs. The cover happened while the P-pop girl group was holding the first day of their Grand BINIverse concert at the Araneta Coliseum, also on November 16.
After the “In or Out” performance, the 2NE1 members and Filipino BLACKJACKs surprised Dara by greeting her a belated happy birthday and bringing out cakes for her 40th birthday. Dara celebrated her birthday on November 12.
On Day 1, fans presented hand banners to Dara that wrote “We hope this perfect moment lasts forever. We will always be by Dara’s side to love her.” The gesture drove Dara to tears.
“I used to celebrate my birthday with 2NE1 and with BLACKJACKs on stage. And after the disbandment, I was not used to spending my birthday by myself. And now, we’re here again together. My wish is to be with you guys forever — 2NE1 and BLACKJACKs forever,” Dara said before blowing out her candles.
CL also said it’s a “different experience” when 2NE1 goes to the Philippines with Dara, adding that she feels “blessed” to be finally back in the country for a concert.
“I feel like we’re so welcomed and whenever we come here, we have a family and a fanbase here…. We feel very blessed and it’s a fun memory to be celebrating [Dara’s] birthday here,” she said.
Moment of healing
2NE1 ended their emotional reunion concert with a medley of their hit songs, starting with “Crush” followed by the final choruses of “I Don’t Care,” “Ugly,” “Go Away,” and “Can’t Nobody.”
As the group moved from the extended stage back to the main stage during “Go Away,” the members and the dancers jumped around in a circle. That moment made me feel like it was a group hug with everyone, members and fans alike, who faced the realities of growing up and the emotions that come with it.
2NE1’s rise, disbandment, and return to the stage showed us that we all have a chance to rewrite our story and end each day with unforgettable memories and a smile. For two hours, I felt I was healing from life’s stresses and the sadness I felt when the group went their separate ways.
Before the group ended Day 2 of the Manila show, fans chanted, asking 2NE1 to make their long-awaited comeback with a reunion album. CL said that it’s “definitely in consideration” and will depend on BLACKJACKs’ “love and support.”
I hope the WELCOME BACK tour will not only be 2NE1’s happy ending but will also serve as the start of a new chapter in their legendary career that inspired many people such as myself to dream and to live life to the fullest. – Rappler.com