Fresh off their US tour and Korean comeback, NCT 127 visited their Filipino fans for the second time for the K-pop World Music Festival (KWMF) in Mall of Asia Arena on June 9. The event was organized by All Access Productions.
Dressed in black-and-white outfits and radiating with addictive energy, NCT 127 opened their performance with their debut song “Firetruck” followed by their hit songs “Cherry Bomb,” “Simon Says” and “Regular.”
NCT 127 is a permanent unit of the boy group NCT (an acronym for Neo Culture Technology) and currently has 10 members—Taeyong, Taeil, Johnny, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, Mark, Haechan and Winwin, who was unable to participate in the group’s activities. A multiracial group, they greeted their Filipino fans both in English and Korean.
“We feel very excited to be able to perform in front of you guys again and as much as it’s been a long time, we’ll try our best to give a good show for you guys. Thank you so much for showing us love,” member Mark said during the concert.
Cheers were continuously loud up to the end of their set, with NCT 127’s latest title song “Superhuman.” The group just released their fourth mini album which debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 early this month.
The enthusiasm and passion of NCT 127 were matched by the excitement and loyalty of their Filipino fans. Lime lights from the group’s official lightstick filled the arena and fan chants were consistently loud.
Megastar Sharon Cuneta and her daughter Miel, both professed big fans of NCT, were present at the concert. But they were not the only die-hard fans there that night.
Isabel Macaraeg traveled from Pampanga to watch the concert with her friends. She gave away banners that had Jaehyun’s photo in it. She designed it herself and used savings from her allowance to fund it.
“I enjoyed it since it was my first time to watch all the groups live,” she said.
Bea Yasaña and her team also prepared several projects for the group’s arrival in Manila.
“We organized a project called ‘Marahuyo’ for KWMF. It includes food support for NCT 127 and special banners for NCTzens. We raised funds for it and some fans donated too. The support included a special three-level birthday cake for NCT 127 June birthday celebrants Taeil and Haechan.”
Fans would definitely make sacrifices for the artists they love. Harlyn Espela even flew in from Davao City just to see the group.
“I became a fan of NCT recently as a way to cope with the stress of medical school. Their efforts inspired me to do better in my field because if they can give their 100-percent best even if they’re tired, I can do it too,” she said.
Mitz Caparros also shared that Filipino NCTzens deserve to see more of what NCT 127 can offer.
“I was able to watch their first solo concert in Seoul. I was left in awe at how amazing the whole production is. I Filipino fans will be able to match the group’s energy as our passion and cheers would be unparalleled.”
