A cosmic concert experience
After the news of two, sensational Korean groups were to celebrate Klook’s Cosmic Celebration in the Philippines ----- two fandoms, monbebes and ki-lings defied all odds just to see their favorite groups live at Hall D of the World Trade Center.
Last 7 September, out-of-this-world screams of overwhelming love, support and excitement were heard as Monsta X and Weki Meki capped off the first day of the Klook Travel Fest 2019. And I for one, know how it feels, seeing how pictures, videos, or even television screens don’t do them enough justice.
It was a new level of talent. Monsta X and Weki Meki’s vocals and performances were without a hitch, looking like their vocals swallowed CDs right before performing. Even if it was just an intimate gathering and not their usual, full-on concerts, their 101 percent were given and shown for the people who crossed distance just to see them in the flesh. As the lights went out, chaos ensued.
In a short time, with five to six songs each, Monsta X and Weki Meki dominated the WTC stage with dance-inducing beats, that it was a bit of a bummer that it wasn’t full-blown concerts. It was so short-lived that I didn’t even notice that it was time to go home.
With their hit songs “Crush,” “La La La” and “Whatever U Want,” Hall D exploded with fan-chants dedicated to the members of Weki Meki. Sooyeon, Doyeon, Yoo-jung, EllyS, Lucy, Sei, Lua and Rina opened the cosmic celebration.
The octet, despite their leader and main vocalist Sooyeon unable to join their performances due to her leg injury, still managed to give their all out in their songs and dances. She needed to sit out through in performances that involved intense dances but still belted out high notes with ease.
Weki Meki also performed their B-side “True Valentine” which the group performed in Manila last October 2018 for MBC Music Show Champion.
In the middle of their performances, some fans were fortunate enough to join a game where the girls had to feed their partners with spaghetti while blindfolded. Sure, it was a little messy, but that didn’t stop other fans from chanting sana all, on how close the members were with their fellow Filipino fans.
“All our power comes from you, Ki-lings,” their main dancer and vocalist, Lua said.
Weki Meki’s segment ended with a fun, carefree surprise with their hit summer song “Tiki Taka.”
After Weki Meki’s performance, members of Monsta X; Shownu, Wonho, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Jooheon and I.M started the evening with their unnerving performance of “Shoot Out,” succeeding in capturing hundreds of hearts inside Hall D.
With dance-inducing songs, the septet lit up the center stage with “Sweetheart” and “Mohae.”
Also among the set was “Dramarama” which earned the loudest screams and fan-chants throughout the night.
“Dramarama” was the song that earned Monsta X their first win last November 2017 and has then fueled monbebes all over the world to give the group as much recognition as possible.
Monsta X first visited the Philippines in 2016 and their fanbase has then continued to grow throughout the years. The group had also promised to come back for a solo concert in 2020.
“We will try our best next year [for a solo concert] to push through,” Monsta X’s Wonho, through a translator, said as PH monbebes were relentless in asking for a “solo con.”
For their part of the segment, Monsta X also answered questions from Filipino monbebes and each highlighting their quirks and thoughts through their answers. “Fallin’,” a song from their The Connect: Dejavu album put their fans in a craze, turning the venue into a rave fest and an unforgettable cosmic concert experience.
It’s safe to assume that these amazing choreographies and vocals were fruits of the intense and non-stop training and preparation that these groups go through just to achieve their dreams. It is commendable how much the groups endured during their trainee period.
Both groups even tried to give all-out performances and interact with fans despite their full schedules.
Weki Meki debuted in 2017 in Fantagio Entertainment while Monsta X debuted in 2015 under Starship Entertainment.