K-CONCERT RECAP: EXO’s Xiumin Brings His Journey to Find ‘X’ at his Fan Concert Tour in Manila – kdramadiary

Fan Concert Segment: ‘HOT IXXUE’

The show quickly shifted into a more interactive tone with a fan segment titled ‘HOT IXXUE,’ a playful twist on his name. The concert’s host, Kyungmin, bantered with Xiumin onstage, kicking off with a cheeky compliment: “You’re very handsome!”—to which fans roared, chanting “Pogi! Pogi! Pogi!” in unison. Xiumin played along, replying with a grin, “You’ve got very right information.”

In this segment, Xiumin was quizzed with fun prompts, such as “Chosen as the Master of ( ),” to which he confidently answered “Aegyo.” The actual answer was “Cleaning,” prompting him to jokingly combine both: “What if we say I’m a master cleaner while doing aegyo?”

He also serenaded fans with his audition piece, ‘Footsteps,’ the very song that earned him a spot in SM Entertainment despite overwhelming odds. Though many fans weren’t familiar with the track, Xiumin turned the moment into a shared karaoke session, making it fun and inclusive.

A Dash of Drama, Dance, and Delight

A special portion was also dedicated to “Heo’s Diner,” Xiumin’s latest drama where he plays a Joseon-era food columnist who travels to modern-day Korea. Embracing the role, Xiumin emerged in a full hanbok ensemble and charmed the crowd with graceful poise, giving fans plenty of photo time while staying in character.

Of course, no fan concert is complete without some TikTok fun. Xiumin gleefully indulged his fans’ persistent requests to dance to the viral “Chicken Banana” challenge, keeping the joke alive throughout the night. His humor and spontaneity added a personal flair that made every moment feel unscripted and genuine.

Riveting Performances

Returning to the stage in a fresh outfit—white shirt, cropped denim jacket, and dark pants—Xiumin picked up the pace with performances of ‘Brand New,’ ‘Serenity,’ and ‘Switch Off.’ The energy never dipped as he led fans in a chant for ‘Whee,’ breaking down the sections of the crowd to see who could scream the loudest.

He continued with an electrifying set featuring ‘Whee,’ ‘Feedback,’ and ‘Can’t Help Myself,’ feeding off the crowd’s energy. Each song was delivered with intention, charisma, and a clear love for the fans in front of him. Xiumin then wrapped up the main set with the uplifting ‘Make You Lala’ and the dreamy ‘Lost Paradise.’

Fan Projects That Lit Up the Night

EXO-Ls and ELSAs made sure their love was felt through meaningful fan projects. During the opening, glowing crystal flowers turned the venue into a “Cosmic Ice Garden,” and cat paw banners displayed the heartfelt message: “Manila’s Love For You Will Never ‘SWITCH OFF.’” Toward the end, a touching video tribute from fans left Xiumin visibly moved as he watched the montage unfold on screen.

A Heartfelt Promise

As the concert neared its end, Xiumin made a promise that echoed with sincerity: “Once I do it, I do it best,” he said, vowing to return and show an even better version of himself. With the encore tracks ‘Beyond’ and ‘Love Is U,’ the fan concert concluded on a high, emotional note. VIP ticketholders were given the added bonus of a hi-bye session, capping off the evening with a brief but unforgettable moment with the artist himself.

Xiumin’s