"You are beyond my imagination, Manila," IU enchants fans at the Philippine Arena after 5 years

On June 1, another wonderful moment occurredas the global star IU became the first-ever Korean solo artist to hold a show at the Philippine Arena, one of the world's largest indoor arenas.

IU's 'HEREH' stop in the Philippines marks her return five years after her 'Love, Poem' show at the Araneta Coliseum. From approximately 10,000 attendees in 2019 to 37,000 UAENAs (fandom name) in one place, IU has made another "herstory." She promised to return sooner than five years for her next show.

Unfolded in four parts, IU kicked it off with the "Hypnotic" section, drawing the audience into the three-hour spectacle with a live band. Decked out in a stunning white dress with a crown on top, princess IU finally made her grand entrance.

She stood from a balcony-like red-colored railings on the lifting stage where the letters "H," "E," and "R" were placed, forming the word "HER" around her. Opening the show with "Holssi," one of the title tracks from her sixth mini-album, 'The Winning,' IU's vocal performance was further enhanced by her and the backup dancers' lively dance performance. The group of dancers included some kids, which IU later revealed to be from the Philippines, adding a heartwarming touch to the audience.

Followed by it were her performances of "Jam Jam," "Ah Puh," "Obliviate," and one of her fan-favorite songs "BBIBBI" that had fans belting out the lines including "Yellow C-A-R-D," transforming the whole arena into a vibrant yellow sea.

All the songs' lyrics, including their romanized versions, as well as the fan chants were flashed on the huge screens. An invitation for everyone to sing along and just scream their hearts out that night.

"It's so amazing! I missed you all," said IU. "I did prepare my heart before coming here somehow, but the screams go beyond my expectations."

"It's the first time since I was born to hear this much of screams," she said, adding that the fans are not only good at cheering but also singing the whole song with her.

After the first part, a young actress holding a candle graced the stage, seemingly scared of what was surrounding her amidst the storm. However, the actress experienced an opposite atmosphere a few seconds later: the feeling of calmness and warmth. She then waved at the audience with a smile on her face, starting from the left side (from the stage's view), right, and center; and in response, the audience responded with cheers.

Standing from the very edge, a magical bridge, that was lit up by the LEDs in the floor, slowly extended across the other side, connecting the kid to the side where IU was standing waiting. "세상의 모서리 (The world's edge) / 구부정하게 커버린 (Sharply angled) / 골칫거리 outsider (A troubled outsider)," IU sang, after making the crowd moved with such short and simple yet meaningful production. 

These are the first few lines of her 2021 single, "Celebrity," the song that kicked off the second part, titled "Energetic." "Thank you for cheering on the child actress as well," said IU. "They were so cute during the rehearsal. I fell in love because of their cuteness."

The "Energetic" section also featured songs "Blueming," "Eight," "Coin," and "I stan U." The tracks contain the lyrics, "In two words, 'What're you doing?' I contain my true feelings, 'I want to see you' (Blueming)," "So are you happy now? Finally happy now (Eight)," "I can't die, I'm all-in (Coin)," and "I believe in my you / You're stunning, so stunning (I stan U)," which captured the essence of the set's title.

During the segment, IU had a huge purple flower with her on stage. She then decided to give it to the lucky fan who caught her attention because they were wearing a wig. The flower was later revealed to be rented by the team, sparking laughter online, as IU probably forgot or didn't know that it was just for rent. But according to the shop that made it, they would be more than happy to "make an exemption" for IU.

IU also gave a coin — which she was able to catch during her "Coin" performance on the very first toss — to the lucky fan she pointed to who was "wearing sunglasses." Before sending the coin their way with a staff member, IU kissed the coin, instilling it with a wish of good luck.

After the introduction for the next part, which is the "Romantic" section, IU returned to the stage adorned in a long white dress with a ribbon tied in the back of her hair. She then delivered performances of "Havana" and "Meaning of you." The mood then even lit up as she segued into her surprise Filipino song cover of SunKissed Lola's "Pasilyo," eliciting loud cheers from the audience. 

IU ended the third part with a heartfelt performance of "Through the Night." During the performance, she pointed the mic at the crowd to let them sing the lines "나, 우리의 자리맞춤을 떠올려 (I remember our first kiss) / 그럼 언제든 눈을 감고 (I close my eyes whenever I can) / 가장 먼 곳으로 가요(And it takes me away to the farthest place)." Hearing the audience sing her song, a genuine smile on her face was seen.

Back on the stage for the "Ecstatic" set, IU dazzled in a red dress with glimmering hair accessories performing "Shopper," the other focus song on 'The Winning.' She then sang "above the time," "YOU&I," and her recent single "Love wins all," showcasing her strong yet soothing vocal prowess.

"You are really beyond my imagination, Manila," said IU who described the moment as "heaven." "You've always shown me beyond imagination what love is."

IU added that because of how big UAENAs' love for her is, she playfully hinted at the possibility of a long vacation in the country.

"Among the countries, you're the first," she relayed. "I won't let you wait for another five years."

Before moving on to the first part of the encore, "Heroic," the VCR featured IU with a birthday cake decorated with candles: the number "23." She then switched the positions of the candles to form the number "32" — her age next year — then blew them. (IU recently celebrated her 31st birthday last month.)

"Shh..," a sidetrack from her latest album, and "Twenty-three" were part of the setlist. IU, in a striking all-black ensemble, topped it all off with another performance of "Holssi," but this time, it was a rock version. 

While waiting for IU to go up on stage, UAENAs sang "Good Day" together, an impressive performance (plus those three high notes) not only from IU but also from her fans. "You were amazing! It's a 'Good Day' I'll never forget," she said, returning on stage for the last set, "EN-ENCORE," now wearing the tour's official shirt along with a duck headband that her fans made. 

This was the moment the fans raised their papers, banners, and phones; written on these were songs they had been wanting IU to sing. From "Winter Sleep" to "Dear Name" and "Love Poem," IU took in song requests from the fans. 

She ended up performing "Someday," the OST "Give You My Heart," the first verse of "My Sea," "Lilac," and "Strawberry Moon." IU noticed that the fans mostly wanted her to perform ballad songs, but, at the same time, she wanted to perform something that's upbeat and more energetic to change things up. In the end, IU decided to perform one song that she wanted to sing, which was "Well...," and treated everyone with a performance of "Palette," the song her fans requested.

"Please keep them well," said IU referring to the gifts that her mom prepared for everyone. The gifts, which were distributed to approximately 40,000 people, include acrylic keychains, photocard collection book, and official photocards.

'HEREH' show in Manila was a concert without an extended stage, unlike typical K-Pop concerts. But that did not pose a problem because above all, what was important was for IU's heavenly voice to reach every single person at the venue, and it was achieved. Whether you were on the floor seated or in the very back row on top, hearing IU singing her feel-good tunes live is more than enough. And it's a different feeling. 

The three-hour show featured 28 songs filled with performances that went beyond just the feeling of seeing and hearing IU live. Every performance had an impact on everyone. UAENAs who were at the show went back home with such memories that will last a lifetime.

I'm sure that the fans also felt the same way as IU did, who said, "I was able to not only see but also feel what love really is." And that is definitely a powerful exchange of love between IU and UAENAs right there. A love that is beyond imagination.

IU's 'HEREH' at the Philippine Arena was presented by PULP Live World.

[Photos courtesy of EDAM Entertainment and PULP Live World]

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2024 IU HEREH WORLD TOUR
CONCERT IN MANILA

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