BlackPink’s first-ever concert in Manila was actually every Filo Blink’s dream. I can testify to that! The excitement that even non-Kpop fans felt made me giddy as well.
I can still remember getting all teary-eyed and emotional after the concert. Not because I was up for more than 24hours, certainly not because the ticket price was hella expensive, but because I found myself missing their presence literally after we left the arena (no I’m not kidding). And it only made sense that I actually attended their first concert in Manila, saw them perform live, and even hear them talk to us in flesh when Jennie and Jisoo turned live on V-App in their hotel.
Now here’s why I found myself having a sepanx after the event.
PRE-OPENING
While waiting for the girls to come out on stage, Blinks inside the arena filled the place with extreme energy. Pyongbongs lit up and danced together with our loud chants, squeal, and excitement.
What amazed me was when the whole crowd sang along with the girls’ Music Video on screen. To think that the girls were at the back-stage made it even more overwhelming. Being inside the arena made it feel like you were inside the Pink’s paradise – where people don’t judge you for singing a song with a language you don’t speak. Everyone sang together no matter how scrambled the lyrics had become.
THE GRAND ENTRANCE
BlackPink’s intro was very captivating. The event began with a flurry of smoke. The stage was illuminated by purple-pink strobe lights. The well known BlackPink Rubik’s Cube flashed on the stage screen as it twisted and turned to form the member’s name. The loud bass rang throughout the arena.
After a few minutes, the girls ascended from a platform below the main stage. They wore a high-class pink suite as they started an expression that screams we-the-only-gang-to-run-the-game-in-high-heels.
BlackPink immediately jumped into their song “DDU-DU-DDU-DU”. Their flashing visuals and live singing easily electrified the crowd. As they go along with their choreography while hitting the right notes and spitting words during the rap part, it is not surprising that one will question whether they are performing on flesh and not inside the Television or YouTube.
The girls’ energy was contagious that even a casual listener felt the urge to bob along to the music. Even their slightest movement and smile made us creepily grin like a Cheshire cat.
Forever Young followed next. Shortly after, loud cheers echoed when the girls introduced themselves in Tagalog – “Kami ang BlackPink!”, “Ako po si Jisoo!”, “Ako po si Jennie!”, “Ako po si Rose”, and lastly with the maknae’s aegyo voice – “Ako po si Lisa!”.
“Salamat” never really sounded cute until Lisa said it!
SOLO PERFORMANCES
Jisoo
Jisoo rocked the stage with her version of Zedd’s Clarity. It’s been known that Jisoo personally wrote the Korean version of the song – and yes, she pulled it off flawlessly!
Her husky voice and high-note made the song perfectly Jisoo-like. She ultimately made the song her own. The song started with a soft melody. It then slowly progressed from slow to upbeat tempo. Jisoo hyped the crowd as the song progresses.
Aside from her live, steady vocals, you can’t deny that her visuals also captivated the audience. She looks superb and her beauty fits in a Korean-history drama! Jisoo-Ma-ma!
Lisa
Lisa followed right after Jisoo ended her part. She began her solo with her pre-recorded voice as she coolly introduced herself in English.
Compared to the other members, Lisa stuck to the performance that she is best at – and that is dancing.
She flaunted her dancing prowess with Jason Derulo’s Swalla. The crowd felt completely excited and enthusiastic as she struts on stage with overflowing confidence and coolness. When Lisa’s floor dance came through – the crowd completely lost it! I never knew I’d find myself wishing to become the floor!
Rosie
Rosie started her performance with a cover of The Beatles “Let it Be” followed by Bom’s “You and I” in a white dress.
She was accompanied by their band’s pianist on stage. The transition between English and Korean throughout the piece was very smooth. I still can’t get over how amazing her voice live. Not to mention that her English Accent is an eargasm! She is an actual angel!
The crowd kept silent as she performed (I also did T_T). We were teary-eyed when she started singing because her voice is very soothing!
I was swayed by her beauty and voice. She looked so innocent and pure it’s so hard not to love her. It’s no wonder the girls treat her softly as well.
Jennie
Jennie performed her song, “Solo”. She looked HOT as she rocked both the elegant and alluring look with her outfit. When she went “bichi naneun solo”, I wished it was “bitch naneun solo”. I mean, it seems to fit perfectly well with her image as a rapper!
During the bridge part, Jennie stopped dancing and took the time to watch the crowd. She even tried her best not to smile and attempted to stay poker-faced during the “now I’m going slomo” part. The crowd even roared at the sight!
She ended her performance with “Thank you blinks! I love you!” (awweee)
VISUAL
BlackPink’s visual is a no joke! It’s clear how distinct their beauty is. Even their stage presence is exceptional. What we see on screen does not give justice over how stunning they are in real life.
BlackPink’s body proportions fit them perfectly. Any blink would know that they, fortunately, don’t have to diet as much. Nevertheless, they do exercise so their hard-rocked abs was a sight!
Rosie and Lisa may be the skinniest in comparison to Jennie and Jisoo, but they are very curvy, sexy, and very healthy.
Jisoo has a voluptuous and healthy body. Plus, she’s really pretty. It’s no surprise that she’s the group’s visual.
Jennie, I would say, absolutely had a well-proportioned figure. She possesses the “golden ratio”.
It’s also noteworthy that Lisa’s bangs are unmovable. It has always been an inside joke of the fandom. Because no matter how intense the dancing is, her bangs loyally stick to her forehead like it’s glued. But, she looks perfect nonetheless.
FINAL THOUGHT
The euphoria you feel when you are at the concert is PRICELESS! You won’t regret waiting for hours because no matter how sleepless and exhausted you are, BlackPink’s hype and performances make up for it! I think I just lost my voice after the concert. I was yelling and squirming the whole time!
It’s an advantage that the girls are native English speakers because they didn’t need a translator for them to interact with the crowd. Although Jisoo isn’t that good with the language, nevertheless, she was able to talk to us with the girls’ help.
Filo Blinks really is the BEST CROWD! When everyone sang “BLACKPINK IN YOUR AREA”, we completely lost it. We made the girls comfortable as they expressed their shock on how high our enthusiasm was and how they’ve wanted to sneak out just to see the crowd. They warmly praised us because even though that was the first time they’ve stepped foot in our country as a group, we’ve prepared so much for them to feel at ease and appreciated.
BlackPink said “Stay with us Blinks”, so yes, we will stay until their very last “Annyeonghaseyo BLACKPINK imnida!”.
BLACKPINK’S HISTORIC LINES DURING THE CONCERT
Welcome to the BlackPink world tour In Your Area, Manila! We’re so, so excited to be here and have fun tonight! We missed you guys!
– Kim Jennie
We’re so, so excited to perform here in Manila. I hope you guys are ready to have fun tonight… Let’s have fun!
– Park CHaeyoung
How is my Filipino accent? Good? Salamat!
– KIM JISOO
You guys are amazing! Thank you so, so much! I love you! Salamat!
– LALISA MANOBAN
Whimsical Musings 
I really love this. I can really feel the feelings you felt during the concert. And it also made me tear up remembering my own experience at a concert too.
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Reblogged this on Kurolicious and commented:
I can relate to this♥
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😭❤️
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