K-pop group Red Velvet draws huge crowd at first concert in Manila

May 9, 2023 12:58 PM

K-pop act Red Velvet’s first group concert in Manila was a big success, drawing about 10,000 fans whose cheers and shouts made a deep impression on them.

Red Velvet’s Irene, Wendy, Seulgi and Yeri held their “4th Concert: R to V” on May 7 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Red Velvet performing at their first solo concert in Manila on May 7 (Jonathan Hicap)

This was Red Velvet’s return to the Philippines in nearly 10 months and fourth performance in the country.

It was in April 2015 when Red Velvet first performed in the country at a K-pop concert held at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. They returned in June 2019 to perform at a K-pop music festival held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. They also headlined an event in Manila in July last year.

Manila was the third stop of the “R to V” tour after Red Velvet launched the concert in Seoul last April 1 and 2.

“I missed you so much,” Seulgi greeted the crowd.

Member Joy was unable to join Red Velvet in the Manila show but Irene assured fans that “we still have her in between our show on the screen. And we promise you that we will be back together, all together.”

Wearing pink tutu-inspired costumes, Red Velvet opened the show with “Feel My Rhythm,” the main track of their March 2022 album “The ReVe Festival 2022 – Feel My Rhythm,” followed by “Bamboleo” and “LP.”

At the start of the concert, Red Velvet already experienced Filipino fans’ loud cheers with Wendy commenting that she “can’t even hear my voice. Amazing!”

Red Velvet performed about 25 songs in the concert. They also sang “Ice Cream Cake,” “Oh Boy,” “On a Ride,” “Eyes Locked, Hands Locked,” “Queendom,” “Bing Bing,” “Birthday,” “Red Flavor,” “Pose,” “Beg For Me,” “Zoom,” “Bye Bye,” “In & Out,” “I Just,” “Peek-A-Boo,” “Bad Boy,” and “Psycho.”

For the double encore, Red Velvet performed “Celebrate,” “My Dear,” “Russian Roulette,” “Zimzalabim” and “You Better Know.”

Filipino fans unveiled big banners for Red Velvet during the concert. The messages written in the banners read: "I will always be by your side," "I want to be forever, in this dream-like night" "Enchanting feeling, I'll never forget everything," according to fanbase Red Velvet Philippines.

As the sparkling and enchanted night of the 7th of May passes and a new day begins, we would like to express our gratitude.

To PULP and SM, for allowing our roll down banners and green ocean to be included in the projects for 'R to V' in Manila. Despite changes in the slogans… pic.twitter.com/GwEICZpryE
— Red Velvet Philippines 🇵🇭 (@teamRVPH_) May 8, 2023

Red Velvet 4th Concert R to V in MANILA#RedVelvet #레드벨벳 #RtoV #RedVelvet4thConcert_RtoV_in_Manila pic.twitter.com/IleIa6jGJv
— Red Velvet (@RVsmtown) May 8, 2023

So this is what they mean when they say, “HAPPINESS!”#REDVELVETinMNL2023 pic.twitter.com/WKCb3MNiA9
— PULP Live World (@pulpliveworld) May 7, 2023

Red Velvet performing at their first solo concert in Manila on May 7 (Jonathan Hicap)

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“Louder than the World Cup”

At the end, Red Velvet were very thankful to the fans who went to the concert.

“Today is something we want to remember forever. It’s like a dream for all of us. It’s really touching. I will never forget this day,” said Seulgi, who noticed a big banner hanging in the arena.

Wendy said, “I’m really happy that I’m back. When we were preparing for our first song ‘Feel My Rhythm,’ your cheering and everything. I was blown away.”

“We usually get hyped up and nervous at the same time at the backstage before we come on the stage. But because of your cheering and everything, I got so excited. I really, really wanted to come out on the stage to have fun with you guys. And when we did, you guys were like…How can you have this energy for two hours? You guys are amazing. Seriously,” she said

She added, “Thank you very much for all your love and support that you guys showed today. Thank you so much for this little thing that you prepared for us today and little events that you prepared and huge events over there that you prepared that changed every time with the songs. I really want to come back as soon as we can and the five of us, including Joy.”

Seulgi said, “You are so touching. I really want to look at you one by one in your eyes. Are your voices okay? I really got surprised by all my Filipino Luvies. I really saw that your love for us is so big. I was very happy. We will go home to Korea with a lot of good memories. I love it so much. Thank you.”

Irene said the cheers of Filipino fans were louder than that in the World Cup.

“Your energy is so strong. I can’t beat your energy. I’m very happy that our Filipino Luvies are always by our side. I thank everyone who came to our concert tonight. I think more than anywhere else, the energy that you gave us is so strong. It seems that your shouts are louder than in the World Cup. I am very, very happy because of you,” she said.

Yeri said, “Thank you so much, Philippines. I got so much positive energy from you all. You guys have the biggest energy. Thank you for your loud voice again tonight. See you soon again.”

The “Red Velvet 4th Concert: R to V” in Manila was presented by Pulp Live World.

Setlist for “Red Velvet 4th Concert: R to V” in Manila:

1. Feel My Rhythm

2. Bamboleo

3. LP

4. Ice Cream Cake

5. Oh Boy

6. On a Ride

7. Eyes Locked, Hands Locked

8. Queendom

9. Bing Bing

10. Birthday