Taemin dazzles Filipino fans at ‘EPHEMERAL GAZE’ concert in Manila

Cirrkus
taemin ephemeral gaze in manila

‘Kita tayo ulit (Let’s see each other again),’ Taemin told his Filipino TAEMates, assuring them of a future reunion

MANILA, Philippines – K-pop superstar Taemin thrilled Filipino TAEMates at his “2024 TAEMIN WORLD TOUR [EPHEMERAL GAZE]” at the Araneta Coliseum on November 24. The highly anticipated concert marked Taemin’s first solo show in Manila, following his appearance at K-Magic Live in 2023.

The LED screen on the facade of Araneta Coliseum showing Taemin’s concert poster. Rowz Fajardo/Rappler

Taemin opened the concert with a powerful first set of songs that included “Deja Vu,” “GUILTY,” and “Advice.” Clad in a custom black, blinged-out jacket with a sheer open back, the idol radiated a seductive, galactic charm.

“Manila, sigaw! Ako ay si Taemin (Manila, scream! I am Taemin),” he greeted, charming fans with his Filipino introduction. Taemin followed up with the question: “Na-miss ‘nyo ba ako? (Did you guys miss me?)” which was met with a resounding “yes.”

taemin concert
Taemin introduces himself to TAEmates during the concert. Rowz Fajardo/Rappler

The first set continued with “Goodbye,” “IDEA,” and “Heaven,” ending on a high as fans swooned over his elegant choreography, especially the dramatic “fall” moment in “Heaven.“

For the second set, Taemin switched into a custom blue, sparkly tweed jacket, performing amid a melancholic stage setup complete with a couch, table, and hourglass. This segment highlighted his strong vocals as he delivered ballads like “I’m Crying,” “Clockwork,” “Not Over You,” “Unknown Sea,” and “Blue.”

The audience lit up the venue with flashlights, creating a dreamy atmosphere as Taemin showcased his powerful vocals in these tracks. The artist sealed this set with a flying kiss.

Taemin turned up the heat in his third outfit, a fiery red sleeveless coordinated ensemble, as he delivered an angsty setlist featuring “GOAT,” “The Rizzness,” “Sexy In The Air,” “Move,” “Want,” “Criminal,” and “Horizon.”

During this set, Taemin delighted fans with snippets of SHINee’s iconic hits, including “Ring Ding Dong,” “Lucifer,” and “Replay.” The nostalgic throwback had fans stomping their feet in appreciation, a gesture Taemin humorously mimicked in return.

As Taemin prepared for the encore, TAEMates serenaded him with his song Pansy, creating a heartfelt moment between the artist and fans. Taemin even playfully read the Romanized lyrics written in the back of the hand banners prepared by his fans. 

Taemin donned his Ephemeral Gaze jersey for the encore and performed “Danger,” “Crush,” and “Say Less.” Fans surprised him with a touching video promising their support for the artist. During the last song, fans again surprised the artist with purple hearts and flower confetti. 

In a bittersweet goodbye, Taemin promised to return to the Philippines, even making a pinky promise when fans requested to see SHINee as a group on their next visit.

“Kita tayo ulit (Let’s see each other again),” Taemin told his Filipino TAEMates, assuring them of a future reunion. 

Post-concert, Taemin took to social media to express his gratitude and love for his Filipino fans, thanking TAEMates for their unwavering support and making the night one to remember.

His magnetic stage presence has only gotten stronger since his debut. Taemin’s blend of artistic performances and charisma has only deepened over the years, earning him a reputation as one of the most versatile and compelling artists in K-pop even after more than 15 years in the industry. – Rappler.com

Zach Dayrit and Rowz Fajardo are Rappler interns.

Share This Article