K-pop artist and songwriter Whee In, a member of girl group Mamamoo, completed her first solo concert in Manila with success, drawing Filipino Moomoos (fans).
Her first world tour in Manila, “Whee In The Mood: Beyond,” held on April 13 at the SM North EDSA Skydome, marked the 10th year of her music career.
Whee In debuted in Mamamoo in 2014. Following her solo release, “Easy,” in 2018, Whee In came out with a single album in 2019.
K-pop singer-songwriter Whee In backstage at her first solo concert in Manila on April 13 (Instagram)
K-pop artist Whee In at her first solo concert in Manila on April 13 (X/The L1VE Label)
She released her first mini-album “Redd” in 2021 followed by “Whee” in 2022. She released her debut studio album “In The Mood” last October.
At her solo concert in Manila, Whee In performed “I Know I Know I Know (Beyond),” “Water Color,” “Spark,” “Easy,” “Trash,” “Bite Me,” “Butterfly,” “Paraglide,” “Make Me Happy,” “Deserve,” “On The Island,” “Dance 4 You,” “17,” “In The Mood,” “Shh,” “Pastel,” “Here I Am,” “OHOO,” “D-Day” and “WHEE.”
K-pop singer-songwriter Whee In in the dressing room at her first solo concert in Manila on April 13 (Instagram)
Whee In’s first solo concert in Manila is also the first Korean show of live events company L-Squared Productions.
“You guys are really, really hot in terms of cheering,” Whee In told the audience at her show. “I think it’s been two months since my concert in Seoul. Time really flies by. It’s already spring in Korea right now. The weather is very nice in Korea.”
She added, “Korea’s flowers are blooming in different colors. This time, I think it’s my first time to see the blooming flowers since I debuted. But really, your cheers are really hot. I can’t hear myself because of your loud cheers.”
A day before her concert, Manila Bulletin had a one-on-one interview with her at Novotel Manila Araneta City where she also held a press conference for her show.
“Whee In The Mood: Beyond” is Whee In’s first solo concert and first world tour since debut. She launched the world tour at Blue Square’s Mastercard Hall in Seoul on Feb. 24 and 25 this year.
Manila was the third overseas stop after Hong Kong and Bangkok. She said she was nervous and excited to perform as a solo before Filipino fans.
“This is my first solo concert, right? I’m very nervous but at the same time very excited. As much as the love of the fans have given me, I also want to repay them with a good performance,” said Whee In.
And she did, delighting fans with her superb vocals at the concert.
“In The Mood” is Whee In’s first studio album, which, she said, showed what kind of artist she is.
“For the studio album ‘In The Mood,’ it’s an album that shows what kind of artist I am, what type of person Whee In is, and what type of music that I want to do. It’s an album that is more than Whee In,” she said.
Whee In answers questions from Philippine media during her press conference on April 12 at Novotel Manila Araneta City (Jonathan Hicap)
Whee In will continue to tour this year and said she wants to also focus on songwriting.
“For me, my goal this year is, of course, I started the year with my solo concert. All throughout the year, I would like to continue with the energy, and be consistent with my songwriting,” she said.
Whee In participated in songwriting for songs including Mamamoo’s “My Hometown,” “Moderato” (which she sang), “Holy-Day” by Jung Min-hyuk, Jvde Milez’s “Miss U” and songs in her albums “Redd,” “Whee” and “In The Mood.”
She said whenever she has free time, she likes to meet people who are close to her.
“So whenever I have free time when I’m not working, I really like to meet people that are close to me. I receive a lot of energy and love from them. I’m the type who goes out and meets them whenever I have some free time,” said Whee In.
Wheen In has earned praises for her excellent vocals. She also recorded OSTs (original soundtracks) for dramas including "With My Tears" (“Hospital Playlist”), "I Wish" ("The Red Sleeve"),” and "Shine On You" (“Record of Youth”).
She revealed that she wants to try singing rock ballads.
“As for the genre, I have a lot of interest in band music, rock ballad kind of thing. I want to try that one. Just broaden my spectrum in music,” she said.
The “2024 Whee In 1st World Tour: Whee In The Mood: Beyond” was presented by L-Squared Productions.
Fans at Whee In's solo concert in Manila on April 13 (Photos from L-Squared Productions)
The dates of Whee In's first world tour (Instagram)