By Honorary Reporter Chiarra Mogol from the Philippines

Photos= Kimchi City

Singer-songwriter and actress Lee Ji-eun, better known as IU, on Dec. 13 held her first concert in the Philippines, having debuted on the K-pop scene 10 years earlier.

At Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Uaenas, or fans of the singer, or in this case Ma-enas, were thrilled to finally see her perform in the country after a long wait and heard her hits "You and I," "Good Day" and "Bbi Bbi" and her new songs "Blueming," "Above the Time" and "Love Poem."

Showing surprise from the vociferous cheering of her fans, IU said, "Had I known that I have a lot of fans here in the Philippines, I would've come here earlier. I'm sorry I took too long." The audience couldn't stop themselves from singing as they sang entire songs rather than make fan chants, greatly impressing the K-pop star. "This is the first time since my debut that I can't hear my voice on stage," she said.

IU also expressed surprise at how the fans lit up the flashlights on their smartphones and sang almost half of her songs "Through the Night" and "Heart." Saying Manila had the best audience she had seen and that she wanted to bring her Filipino fans to her next concerts as her crowd, she closed her sold-out concert that lasted nearly four hours.

Super Junior on Dec. 15 performed at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay a day after IU returned to Seoul. The former held its concert on a stage shaped like the number eight. Fans couldn't decide whom to go see because of the star-studded K-pop concerts slated for that week. My friends and I were supposed to buy tickets on the day of the concert but only VIP ones were left.

Super Junior performed this time with Ryeowook and Kyuhyun, two members who recently rejoined the group after completing their mandatory military service, but was without Heechul for the year. Members of the group's fan club Elf cried, laughed and screamed their hearts out when they saw the group up close thanks to the uniquely designed stage.

In addition, the Korean indie band the Rose held a concert on the same day at SM Aura Premier's Samsung Hall in Taguig. This group is known for songs such as "Sorry," "I.L.Y" and "California" and its fans are called BlackRoses.

A day after its concert, Super Junior made a surprise visit to the Wish Bus of the Metro Manila radio station Wish 107.5, which is famous for broadcasting live inside a bus. Many fans came as the station surprisingly announced that the bus would be at Eton Centris, which is also close to my workplace. After leaving my office, I walked to the venue after hearing about the bus being there from my friends. Though I didn't have the energy or time to go to Super Junior's concert, at least I got to see and hear the group up close, even for just one song.

Being a K-pop fan is isn't easy because it requires a lot of energy and passion for what one wants to see and hear at a concert. Physical and mental health are musts to experience K-pop concerts especially in the Philippines, a country known to have the best crowds for visiting artists.

chaey0726@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.