By Kayla Rodriguez and Vince Hibe
Lee Changsub of K-pop boy band BTOB delighted his fans with his vocal prowess and captivating stage presence at his first-ever solo concert, “The Wayfarer” at the SM North Edsa Skydome in Manila on March 22, Saturday.
Presented by L-Squared Productions PH, the K-pop star treated fans with his thrilling performances of “Chivalry” and “Golden Hour” as his opener.
“Philippines! Long time, no see. Kumusta kayo? Ako ay si Changsub Lee. Namiss ko kayo. Salamat po sa suporta!,” Changsub, dressed in a black vest over a folded white polo long-sleeve shirt, greeted his fans in Filipino.
Reflecting on his solo journey and the inspiration behind his concert’s title, the K-pop idol explained that “The Wayfarer” symbolizes a traveler, as he visited various cities before finally arriving in the Philippines.
Changsub electrified the stage with performances of “Saturday Night” and “Stay,” captivating Filo Melodies with his energy. He later on praised the crowd’s passionate singing as he performed “Old Town,” “Vain Hope,” and “I Guess I Loved You.”
Aside from sharing stories behind his songs, he also updated fans on his experiences, including his military retraining before his visit.
His deep connection with fans was evident when he shared a heartfelt message through his translator: “The moments I sing together with you guys… I have the greatest gratitude as a singer.”
Changsub then serenaded the crowd with a cover of Roy Kim’s “Only Then” before performing “Heavenly Fate,” an OST from the webtoon “Extroversion of an Immortal,” which has recently been one of his most-charted songs. He followed this with a soulful rendition of Psy’s “Refuge,” captivating the audience with his emotional delivery.
Beaming with joy, he expressed how singing brought him immense happiness, especially in that moment with his fans. “I will try my best to sing together with you guys for a long, long time,” he promised through a translator, assuring more heartfelt performances in the future.
The concert’s energy then shifted into a full-blown party as Changsub launched into the upbeat rhythm of “Bumpbump.” The electrifying atmosphere continued with “New Wave,” igniting the crowd with its vibrant beats and infectious energy.
As fans chanted “Isa pa!” (“One more time!”) Changsub gave in and performed “Bumpbump” again—this time with even more energy, transforming the concert into a club-like experience.
Catching his breath, he playfully asked fans how he was supposed to sing his next ballad, making the crowd laugh at his endearing struggle. Despite being winded from his high-energy performance, he still delivered “As Always” with remarkable emotion and vocal brilliance, leaving the audience in awe.
“Filo Melodies’ energy never wavered as they jumped, sang, and waved their lightsticks in unison to “33,” the title track of Changsub’s first full album, “1991.” The venue transformed once again into a glowing sea of blue, radiating excitement and unwavering love for Changsub.
For the encore, he captivated fans with his sweet and soothing song “Macchiato,” then shared how he constantly strives to make each concert better than the last. He concluded with a heartfelt farewell: ‘Until we meet again, stay healthy, stay happy, and let’s be together,’ leaving fans deeply moved.”
During a special photo opportunity with fans, Changsub was deeply moved as a heartfelt video from Filo Melodies played on screen, showing how his music has inspired them. The crowd then surprised him by tossing paper airplanes filled with personal messages onto the stage, creating a truly heartwarming moment.
Before officially ending the night, he enthusiastically asked, “Nag-enjoy ba kayo?” to which the crowd responded with resounding cheers and chants of his name. He then closed the evening with a powerful performance of “#Run,” wrapping up an unforgettable night filled with music, emotion, and deep gratitude between him and Filo Melodies.
