When IU told her Filipino fans at her Bulacan concert that she is singing “Ikaw at ikaw,” I did not expect her to actually sing the entirety of SunKissed Lola’s OPM hit “Pasilyo” — but she did, in the most adorable way possible. It was during this jaw-dropping, heartwarming moment that I reaffirmed to myself why IU remains one of the most loved K-pop idols ever.

After a long five-year wait, IU returned to the Philippines with her HEREH World Tour. And not only did she fill the Philippine Arena with a nearly 40,000-strong crowd, but she also personalized her three-hour show on June 1 to again capture the hearts of her Pinoy UAENAs.

IU, in true K-pop royalty fashion, opened the night with “Holssi” in a shimmering princess dress on top of an elevated platform onstage. IU was later joined by young dancers who she mentioned were all from the Philippines. Before the audience went wild over “Celebrity” in the “Energetic” segment of the concert, IU was also joined onstage by a Filipino girl holding a candle during a short dramatic skit.

Aside from hyping the audience with Filipino phrases such as “Mabuhay Manila” and “namiss ko kayong lahat,” IU truly connected to her UAENAs by giving presents and chanting with them. Before proceeding to fun songs “Ah puh” and “BBIBBI,” IU showed everyone a gift pack with a keychain, photo album and other merch, saying it’s a gift to her fans from her mom — “itago ninyo nang mabuti.”

During her cheerful performance of “Blueming,” to which she exclaimed to fans singing along “ang galing grabe,” IU brought out a purple paper flower while teasing fans that it’s too big to give away. She proceeded to give it anyway to a lucky fan wearing a long wig and kimono.

IU performed “eight” (with BTS’ SUGA) as her suiting 8th song of the evening and charmed the audience with her perky dance moves to “Coin.” At the end of the segment, one of her dancers tossed a golden coin, which IU caught on her first attempt, kissed and wished good luck, and gave to probably the luckiest fan during the night.

In between belting out to her ballads and dancing to more upbeat hits, IU lovingly engaged her fans by commending how loudly they sing to her songs, giving the audience a total of 300 points. During the entire show, UAENAs loudly chanted “I-U, I-U,” to which she competitively responded “MA-NI-LA, MA-NI-LA!”

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240601
2024 IU HEREH WORLD TOUR
CONCERT IN MANILA

아이유를 응원하는
유애나를 응원해💜#아이유 #IU#HEREH #IU_WORLD_TOUR pic.twitter.com/n5K1JnT6f9

— 아이유(IU) (@_IUofficial) June 1, 2024

IU’s “Ecstatic” segment opened with her latest single “Shopper,” which resonated with many as the huge fan project for the concert involved a $1,000 banner with IU’s face from the song’s music video, and the lyrics “SHOP ALL DAY” and “GREED IS FREE.” IU showed her appreciation of the fan project by taking one of these banners from the audience and exclaiming that she already feels so rich having it.

IU’s magical setlist included my favorite “Love Wins All,” during which an alternate ending to the music video featuring BTS’ V was shown; and as expected, the crowd went wild as a wedding dress falls on stage. When IU said the show will soon come to an end, everyone shouted “walang uuwi” repeatedly — to which she wittingly responded “bukas pa talaga ako uuwi.”

In true Pinoy karaoke fashion, the encore featured lyrics from “Good day,” to which fans jammed to, a capella style, before IU went back on stage to perform “Shh..,” “Twenty-three,” and the rock version of “Holssi” while donning an angsty black outfit.

Just when I thought that the amazing night has come to an end, IU reappeared onstage for the “EN-ENCORE,” wearing a white concert tee and a fan-made rubber duckie headband. During the final hour of the show, IU enthusiastically took song requests from the audience and performed fan favorites such as “My Sea,” “Lilac,” “Strawberry Moon,” and ‘Palette.’

IU was the first Korean solo artist that filled the seats of the Philippine Arena and rightfully so, as her personalized concert proved how much IU valued her dedicated fans. With IU’s every wink and wave, UEANAs screamed their lungs out; and with each of the 28 songs during the unforgettable evening, everyone sang their hearts out.

As she closed her Manila show, IU made a promise to return to the Philippines sooner than five years — even proposing a month-long staycation in the country each year — and being the ultimate sweetheart that she is, bid farewell to her Pinoy UAENAs in Filipino: “Napakasaya ko… kita-kita uli tayo. Ingat, bawal magkasakit!”

IU HEREH WORLD TOUR CONCERT IN MANILA (BULACAN) brought to you by EDAM Entertainment, Kong Yeon Team, PULP Live World, and Happee Hour. 

Words by Mark Louie Bonayon
Photos from Pulp Live World
and IU’s official X (formerly Twitter) account