IU Makes Historic Return to the Philippines with “H.E.R.E.H” Concert

After a long-awaited five years, Korean superstar IU finally returned to the Philippines for her “H.E.R.E.H.” concert at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on June 1, 2024. The event marked a historic moment as IU became the first-ever Korean soloist to hold a concert at one of the world’s largest indoor arenas.

A Historic Night

IU’s last performance in the Philippines was her “Love, Poem” show at the Araneta Coliseum in 2019, which drew around 10,000 attendees. This time, she captivated a crowd of 37,000 UAENAs. From the moment she stepped onto the stage, it was clear that this night would be one for the history books.

The Concert Experience

The concert was divided into four parts, each delivering a unique and unforgettable experience:

1. Hypnotic

IU opened the show with the “Hypnotic” section, appearing in a stunning white dress and crown. She performed “Holssi,” “Jam Jam,” “Ah Puh,” “Obliviate,” and the fan-favorite “BBIBBI” with the live band and vibrant dance performances, including local Filipino children as backup dancers.

“It’s so amazing! I missed you all. I did prepare my heart before coming here somehow, but the screams go beyond my expectations. It’s the first time since I was born to hear this much of screams“

Each concert attendee also received a special gift prepared by IU’s mom, including a keychain and a customized purple mini album with IU photocards.

2. Energetic

The “Energetic” section kicked off with “Celebrity,” followed by performances of “Blueming,” “Eight,” “Coin,” and “I stan U.” IU’s interaction with the audience, including giving a giant purple flower to the lucky fan.

3. Romantic

In the “Romantic” section, IU serenaded the crowd with “Havana,” “Meaning of You,” and a cover of the Filipino song “Pasilyo.” Her performance of “Through the Night” left the audience singing along.

She also delighted the crowd with Tagalog phrases like “Itago n’yo nang mabuti,” “mahal kita,” “maraming salamat po,” “grabe,” and “ang galing galing!”

4. Ecstatic

The final set, “Ecstatic,” saw IU dazzling in a red dress, performing “Shopper,” “above the time,” “YOU&I,” and “Love wins all.”

“You are really beyond my imagination, Manila. You’ve always shown me beyond imagination what love is.”

She expressed her gratitude and admiration for her Filipino fans, hinting at the possibility of a longer stay in the country due to their overwhelming love and support.

“Among the countries, you’re the first. I won’t let you wait for another five years.”

IU expressed her joy at being back in the Philippines and promised to return soon.

Encore

During the encore, IU performed “Shh..,” “Twenty-three,” and a rock version of “Holssi.” Fans sang “Good Day” together, and IU returned to the stage for the final set, “EN-ENCORE,” where she took song requests from the audience.

The night ended with performances of “Someday,” “Give You My Heart,” “My Sea,” “Lilac,” “Strawberry Moon,” “Well…,” and “Palette.” The concert featured almost 30 songs over three hours, keeping the energy high from start to finish.

The three-hour show was an unforgettable experience between IU and her UAENAs. As the concert concluded, IU’s words resonated with everyone: “I was able to not only see but also feel what love really is.”

2024 IU H.E.R.E.H. World Tour Concert in Manila (Bulacan) is presented by PULP Live World