D.O. hints at exciting new role during Manila fan meet

September 3, 2024 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Doh Kyung-soo, better known by his stage name D.O., made a blossoming memory with Filipino fans as he unveiled the “best version” of himself at his “BLOOM” fan concert last weekend at the Araneta Coliseum.

Selling out his two-day solo show presented by Wilbros Live, the South Korean actor-singer received a warm reception from thousands of Pinoy EXO-Ls and Dandanies, who have been waiting for his return to the country.

The STAR witnessed Day 1 of the fan con, wherein a sea of silver sparkled from EXO’s lightstick (Eribong) and the resounding “Doh Kyung-soo!” chants filled the Big Dome minutes before D.O. appeared on stage.

When the huge screen gradually split down the middle, the dapper idol clad in suit and jeans waved to fans with glee as he kicked off the night with his latest lead single, Mars.

“Mabuhay, Philippines!” he shouted at the top of his lungs. “Ako si Doh Kyungsoo. Long time no see.”

“I can’t even remember how long it has been since I last came to the Philippines. I really missed you, guys,” he said through an interpreter.

Kyung-soo came back to Manila six years after his last visit with co-members for their concert in 2018.

The 31-year-old artist made it more special for Philippine Eri when he showed off his new haircut, which the event’s host, actress Denise Laurel, also pointed out.

“My hair got shorter. You guys are the first ones to see it,” he said while flexing his new look.

He added it was a part of his preparation for his villain role in the upcoming drama titled “Sculpture City” with actor Ji Chang-wook.

Asked about the inspiration behind the fan con’s name, D.O. noted its connection to his recent album, Blossom, released last May 7 under his own agency Company SooSoo after leaving his longtime label SM Entertainment.

“I kind of thought, like, maybe you could actually bloom beautifully while watching the concert. But you know, I think you guys have bloomed already,” he remarked.

True enough, the crowd blossomed with joy when Kyungsoo’s foodie personality unraveled during the food balancing game.

“It’s not a joke. In a week, I can gain 10 kilograms of weight,” he quipped.

When asked to pick between Korean food without kimchi or Korean food without rice, he chose the former, saying, “I think I cannot handle Korean food without rice. Carbohydrate is a must, right?”

Choosing between a seafood party in Boracay or a barbecue party in Cebu, he picked the first one and expressed his love for seafood.

He had a hard time deciding on whether he would eat from a popular local fast food chain or try halo-halo, but he chose the former since it offers more dishes on its menu.

However, Kyung-soo revealed he was not able to try any Filipino food upon his arrival in Manila.

“Because of the role that I’m having in the project, I’m on my diet right now. So, I’m very suffering right now. I have to show (my) good side to you in the drama,” he explained.

After a mouth-watering segment, EXO-L’s ears were blessed by his live vocals through the “Guest the Song Title” game using emojis wherein he effortlessly sang EXO’s Lotto, My Answer, El Dorado, Christmas Day, and a snippet of The First Snow upon knowing that Christmas season here begins as early as September.

D.O. continued to wow the audience with his renditions of Yeng Constantino’s Hawak Kamay, James Smith’s Call Me When It’s Over, Travie McCoy’s Billionaire, and Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me To The Moon.

Of course, his setlist would not be complete without his own discography — the chart-topping mellow hits That’s Okay, Simple Joys, I Do, My Dear.

Before proceeding to emotional songs Ordinary Days, Good Night, and About Time, Kyung-soo playfully challenged the fans on every floor to bring out their loudest cheers.

“How can all floors be as loud as this? It was actually my trick to actually drain your energy,” he said as he vowed to return with a song that would suit their rousing energy.

The hype did not tone down when he did his version of the trending “eyyy” gesture, even sticking his tongue out when he learned that it’s an expression to look cool.

“For (my) next visit, I’ll make sure to prepare a set list where you are gonna tell me, ‘I wanna go home already.’ So please wait for me, ok?” he told the fans who kept on screaming “Walang uuwi!”

The EXO main vocalist capped off the show with the heart-stirring track Somebody and Popcorn for the encore.

When he was about to take photos with the crowd, he was surprised by the fan-made video shown on screen.

Before saying goodbye, he sincerely read the message from the flower-shaped banner: “Our most beautiful Doh Kyung-soo, continue blooming as we grow with you,” to which he firmly responded “Ok!”

“I had so much fun today. You came here to see me so I would have to say thank you so much. I hope it could make a great memory for you, too,” the Korean star said.