EXO's D.O. Delivers a Blissful Concert Experience for Filipino Fans
Roses are red, violets are blue, and the SM Mall of Asia Arena lit up in white as fans welcomed Doh Kyung-Soo — better known as D.O. — for his second solo concert tour, “DO it!”
Best known as the powerhouse main vocalist of the global K-Pop phenomenon EXO, D.O. has long captivated audiences with his rich, soulful voice. This time, however, the spotlight was all his. He returned to Manila on Aug. 16, treating Filipino EXO-Ls, Dandanies, and casual listeners alike to an unforgettable night filled with heartfelt performances, playful banter, and plenty of fan interactions.
Presented by Wilbros Live, the concert featured tracks from his first full-length album, “BLISS,” which showcased a more personal and versatile side of the artist as it explored themes of nostalgia, love, and mental health. From emotional ballads to upbeat numbers, the crowd sang, laughed, and cheered along as he showed exactly why he’s deemed one of the best vocalists in the K-pop industry.
As part of his ongoing tour across Asia — from Seoul to Tokyo — Manila once again proved to be a stop full of love and energy. And yes, The Beat Manila was there to catch all the moments. Here are some of the highlights from our unforgettable night with D.O.!
D.O. Hits Every Note
The singer kicked off the show with “Do You Remember?,” immediately raising the bar and riding the high energy of his Filipino fans as they welcomed him on stage. He followed this up with the album’s breezy opener “Nobody Knows It” and his 2023 track, “Wonder,” before finally greeting everyone.
“The heat in the Philippines is really different! It’s so hot!” The singer said, earning a round of cheers from the audience, which had his eyes widening in surprise. “Why are your reactions so good? Every time I visit here, I am always surprised. Your energy is next level, and we’re only getting started!”
Despite the heat, last Saturday had given us a fair amount of rain, too, which the artist admitted had made him worried for the fans. Fortunately, the weather turned better a couple of hours before the show, and he thanked everyone for making the time to come see him.
D.O. showed us just why he’s one of the most admired vocalists in the K-Pop industry as he sang song after song from his new album; his vocals were clear, heartfelt, and incredibly steady despite walking up and down the massive stage. The first half of the set featured his more upbeat tracks, such as “Mars,” “5 Minutes,” and his R&B song, “Fit” while the second half highlighted the acoustic and soaring ballads such as “I Do,” “I’ll Be There,” and “IN ANOTHER LIFE.”
Although having just listened to some of these songs for the first time, we were completely immersed in the moment, which we believe was also due to the English subtitles that were flashed on the screens during his performances. D.O. had mentioned them in one of his ments, explaining that he wanted everyone to not only vibe with the music but also understand the meaningful and beautiful lyrics behind each and every one of his songs.
Some of our favorite moments include his performance of “Popcorn” and the dance pop “SING ALONG,” where he asked everyone to stand up. Their light sticks also danced in a variety of colors, setting the entire arena aglow.
After that exhilarating performance, D.O. stepped off stage to prepare for the next half of the show, while fans were treated to a karaoke sing-along of some popular EXO songs! Fans were taken back in time when the singer suddenly appeared during “Love Me Right” and sang that iconic high note from the bridge. He then treated EXO-Ls by singing another track from their debut studio album, released in 2013.
“It’s been such a long time since I’ve sung this song,” he said after singing “Peter Pan.” “Thanks to you guys, I’m able to sing it again.”
Although the rest of the concert showcased more of his ballads and gentler tracks, it was equally engaging and probably more heartfelt, as D.O. sang us songs about being okay despite the difficulties, about being enough, and having the strength to move forward and do everything we set our minds to.
“While writing my album, 'BLISS,' I was thinking that I wanted the fans to receive courage and warmth through the songs,” he revealed. “I truly felt that while I’m performing, you’re really enjoying listening to the songs. I get a lot of energy from that, so thank you very much! I will continue to become an artist who releases beautiful songs.”
Speaking of beautiful, the set design was also equally captivating. At one point, he was lifted into the air on a platform as he serenaded us with “It’s Love” against a backdrop of blue waves. He followed this up with a performance of “My Dear,” where the backdrop transitioned to a glowing crescent moon, setting a more romantic mood.
Gleeful Laughter and Memorable Surprises
If there’s one other thing D.O. is known for apart from being an impressive vocalist, it’s his good sense of humor. Once deemed the funniest member in EXO, D.O. effortlessly made everyone laugh with his cute comments and banter with the fans.
We laughed out loud during his encore when he had everyone sing his song “Popcorn” but some kept doing the fan chant. The singer then stopped everyone, directing them to just “sing, please.” When they did it again, D.O. yelled out, “Who was that? You’re doing it on purpose!” — sending the fans into a fit of giggles at his playful, angry expression.
Having been in the Philippines before, we were also impressed by how he had easily understood some Tagalog terms. He instantly knew what everyone was saying when they chanted “Walang uuwi (no one will go home)” to which he replied that they can’t because their concert is timed, but promised that he’ll come back. He also easily picked up on “Iiyak na 'yan (will you cry?)” during one of his final ments. The K-Pop star sincerely told us that he may not be showing any tears, but he’s crying on the inside.
Just before he took a commemorative photo with everyone, D.O. was surprised when a video flashed on the screen and the fan project appeared, showcasing photos and video clips from fans. The fandom prepared banners and a massive light sign that read “We can do it all with Kyungsoo!” — a touching moment between artist and fans, proving that their relationship is give and take and that the message he wanted to send with this new album has gotten through.
From laugh-out-loud moments to memorable performances, D.O. truly gave us a beautiful memory we won’t soon forget. As fans of EXO and K-Pop music in general, we were simply captivated by his talent — not just vocally, but also in the way he moves people with his music. A win for EXO-Ls and Dandanies, indeed. We simply can’t wait for his next return to Manila!
For updates, you can follow D.O. on Instagram. You can also check out Wilbros Live’s official Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram pages for more details on upcoming concerts in Manila.
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